The river “Gardon” or "Gard” (125 kilometres long up to the source of the Gardon d’Alès, and 135 kilometres long up to the origin of the Gardon d’Anduze) begins above Tavernes, two kilometres south of the village of Vézébobres linking the Gardon d’Anduze and the Gardon d’Alès and flowing into the Rhône.

The river that has cut a gash in the hard chalk massif for nearly 6 millions years has created a magical, delicately winding landscape. This is how the gorges of the river Gardon were born which stretch from Dions bridge to the Pont du Gard.

The massif and the gorges of the Gardon make up a fragile and exceptional natural beauty area, rich in flora, fauna and remarkable cultural heritage.
It is classified area of outstanding beauty!

Flora

With a rich flora counting 4500 species, the soil which lies on the chalk rocks is covered with guarrigue that makes up an harmonious collection of woody plants (shrubs and bushes) and herbaceous plants.

During a walk along the footpaths you can discover orchards and many herbs like thymes, rosemary, lavender, sage, savoury and mother-of-thyme as well as many other typically Mediterranean plant species.

Around Remoulins you will notice the Aleppo pine that forms large pine forest.

Fauna

There are several rare species of birds of prey nesting in the sheer walls of the gorges:

• The Bonneli eagle.
• The Pecnoptère vulture.
• The Kestrel.
• The Pipistrelle bat. (from the south of France)

Other highly likely sightings are wild boars, wild rabbits, squirrels, grass snakes, lizards, herons and for the very lucky the beaver!

Cultural heritage

Man has always lived in the gorges in the search for water and refuge in the shelter of the rocks. Primitive cave drawings are the oldest traces left by prehistoric man. Towards the first century, the Gauls founded their first villages in the garrigue. Today the remains of these settlements are the dry, stone walls.

This area of natural beauty is a classified site. We must all protect it. Here are some recommendations, which are indispensable for the site’s protection.

• no fires.
• no unauthorised camping.
• no rubbish dumping.
• respect the flora and fauna. Remain quiet and avoid plant picking.
• no naturism.
• stay on the signposted footpaths.
• do not climb the ruins- it is dangerous.
• no motorised boats.