Château de Florac

Restored 17th-century castle housing the Cévennes National Park HQ

A modest, lived-in castle in the centre of town, originally 13th century but rebuilt in the 17th. Since 1976 it has been the headquarters of the Parc National des Cévennes, and the ground floor doubles as the park's visitor information centre — maps, exhibits on the local geology and wildlife, advice on walks and rangers' routes. The interior courtyard and walled garden are pretty in their own right.

Free to enter the courtyard and the information centre. The keep can usually be climbed for a small fee.

things to do sight
A story
The castle was sacked during the Wars of Religion in 1561 and rebuilt by Henri II of Montmorency in the 17th century, then partially demolished by Louis XIII. The Cévennes National Park took it over in 1976 and now uses it as headquarters and visitor centre.