NAVACELLE CIRCUS

In this supernaturally large Cirque, the Vis river has played a very clever trick on nature, slowly carving out the limestone walls of the Causse de Blandas. Whether you arrive via Blandas or Saint-Maurice-de-Navacelles, the view is breathtaking, with its air of Arizona's Grand Canyon, only greener - it's one of Europe's largest canyons, 300 m deep. Under the sun, the causse de Blandas is more arid and accentuates this impression of desert, yet its curves don't necessarily prepare us for the grandeur of the cirque's panorama, and the contrast certainly redoubles the pleasure when you arrive at the site. What is revealed is the fruit of 600,000 years of nature's labors, with its green hill at its heart, "L'Huître" or "Rocher de la Vierge", depending on what you call it.

Just 5 minutes from Blandas and a few steps from three lookouts, you'll find a tourist information office, restaurant and souvenir store selling regional products in the Maison du grand site de France. The Maison du Grand Site de France not only offers a place to relax and unwind, but also a chance to learn more about the region, the many archaeological discoveries on the causse (dolmens, menhirs and impressive cromlechs can be found all around) and agropastoralism. The lookouts at Les Chênes, La Doline and La Cascade, just a few meters away, invite you to plunge into different perspectives of the panorama. Information plaques provide contextual information about the landscape, without overshadowing your encounter with the beauty before you.

From the lookout point, a path leads down to La Foux, the Vis resurgence, and Les Moulins. This is a waterfall with a flow of 3 m³/second, the power of which has been used since the Middle Ages. The current mills, which feature a permanent exhibition open to the public, were built in the ^17th century. At the very bottom, you can reach the hamlet of Navacelles by the river's edge, which is also possible with shuttles from the lookouts (or use them wisely for the return journey). Restaurants and even accommodation can be found in the hamlet, and the houses, the faïsses, the manicured meadow and the Bayrades, all on a gentle, human scale, bring out the spectacular character of their surroundings.

A total of 25 bird species, including 18 nesting birds, have been recorded, justifying the creation of a protected area. Classified as a "Grand site de France", the Cirque is without doubt the most impressive natural feature in the département.