La Baume du Gardon

The Gardon gorges form a canyon carved by the river north of Nîmes, in the Gard. They contrast sharply with the limestone plateaux that overlook them, and the river becomes partly underground there during the hottest months. During autumn Cévennes episodes, its flow can reach 5,000 m³/s, compared with about 15 m³/s normally. The site has been listed since 1982, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2015 and a Grand Site de France.

The Saint-Véredème cave, near Collias, shelters ten species of hibernating bats, some of them threatened. The gorges also host the Bonelli's eagle and the Egyptian vulture, closely monitored, as well as 24 species of fish. About 450,000 visitors go there every year, drawn by the viewpoints, the medieval villages along the river and outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing and canoeing.

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