MOUNT AIGOUAL
A mountain in the southern Massif Central, the highest point in the Gard and the second highest in Lozère, ideal for hiking.
Mount Aigoual, located in the southern Massif Central on the border of the Gard and Lozère départements, is the highest point in the Gard and the second-highest peak in Lozère and the Cévennes, with an altitude of 1,567 metres. In all seasons, many visitors flock to its summit to admire the panoramic views over the Gard and Lozère départements. It's worth noting that the summit is generally snow-covered from mid-November to April, with the possible persistence of névés on the north face until June. Mount Aigoual, as the southeastern bastion of the Massif Central, stands out for its exceptional panorama, its special climate, and its renowned meteorological observatory, considered the highest point of Mount Aigoual. In the 18th century, the mountain's landscape was covered by forests, then by forests and good pastures. However, in the 19th century, the brutal degradation of the forest and soils, caused by over-exploitation, led to catastrophic floods in 1844, 1856, 1861 and 1868 in particular. It was at this time that Mont Aigoual was the site of the first major anti-erosion reforestation operation in France, involving the creation of a protective forest on soils eroded by deforestation and overgrazing, with the support of the first scientific foundations of phytosociology and pedology. In addition to its ecological importance, Mont Aigoual also has historical significance as a place associated with the Camisards and Maquis.
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