Gardoussel

Gardoussel Retreat - formerly known as The Sun Centre - lies in an estate of 45 acres, of which 15 acres is meadows at the edge of a river and the rest is woodland and mountains.

The land is dynamic - both soft and hard, open and closed, bright and shaded. So there are plenty of places to find an undisturbed spot for meditation, reading or sunbathing.

St Andre de Valborgne

Our local village is 1 km away along a small country road... see the photos on the right. There is a large natural swimming pool with waterfall just 5 minutes' walk towards the village, with picnic tables, benches and diving rocks: truly spectacular!

The local area

There are 12 marked hiking trails in and around the village, one of which crosses through the edge of our property. We have maps with full details, available from the local tourist office, who sometimes organise free guided walks.

Mountain bikes can be hired from the village, as can donkeys for accompanied treks (great for children, baggage and novel company!)

There is a public tennis court in the village, and a Sunday morning market from March - November. Trout can be fished from a local natural fish farm.

The area is abundant in wildlife. Buzzards, falcons, woodpeckers and owls can be glimpsed - or heard - among the trees. The valley is also a favourite haunt of wild boar, badgers and other woodland animals.

Further afield, the Cévennes National Park covers an area of 910 sq km. The park's headquarters are close by in Florac, as well as a museum dedicated to the park's natural history.

The Cévennes straddle three of France's departments: the Gard, Lozère and Ardèche. Famous for its remarkable scenery, it is typified by grassy terraces, sweet chestnut trees (known as the 'bread tree' due to its important role in the area's economic past), the granite peaks of Mont Lozère, limestone plateaux and the crystal clear gorges running below.

Abroad, it is probably best known for being the area crossed by Robert Louis Stevenson on his donkey Modestine in 1878, later immortalised in his book 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes'.

Gardoussel lies just outside the national park but shares the same lush, wild scenery, tiny shale-built hamlets and quiet, unhurried way of life.

In short, the perfect place to get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature.