CEVENNES NATIONAL PARK

This natural enclave in the south of France is one of the country's eleven national parks. Its status was officially granted in September 1970, with the aim of guaranteeing its preservation and protecting its natural treasures. This vast mid-mountain territory extends over the departments of Lozère, Gard and Ardèche, covering an area of 938 ^km2. It is home to a permanent population of 67,000, making it the only national park in mainland France with a significant permanent population. Comprising 118 communes, the park is structured into a core area, a remarkable protected and regulated space, and an area of adhesion grouping communes that have subscribed to the National Park charter and its values. The Cévennes National Park has received a double distinction from Unesco. It has been designated a "Biosphere Reserve" for its special balance between man and nature, and is listed as a World Heritage Site for the agro-pastoral cultural landscapes of the Causses and Cévennes. Numerous players in the tourism sector (accommodation, restaurants, tourist sites) and agriculture (meats, honeys, wines, beehive products) have signed up to the "Esprit Parc Naturel" brand, highlighting essential values such as commitment, authenticity, sharing, vitality and, of course, respect for the environment and local heritage.