UKC

Hello

Anybody recently been to Gorges du Tarn and got some handy tips or secret discoveries? Going with a family so even tips on good walks and scrambles and activities to do with young kids would be great. Weather forecast looks horrendous over Easter so getting prepared for all things non climbing related as doubt will get much climbing done.

Any help appreciated. Thank you.

In reply to The sharp end:

Cycling.

In reply to Removed User:

Not taking bikes but thanks. Next time.

In reply to The sharp end:

You can probably hire them in Florac or La Roziere/Peyreleau. The gorges are a stunning ride.

Also;
go vulture watching in Gorge de la Jonte;
make the drive to the Gevaudan wolf park, outside Marvejols;
drive over the Millau viaduct;
buy wine from Clermont-l'Hérault;
go up Mont Aigoual;
try Seynes, if it is sunny anywhere it will be sunny there;
have a day at the Med, Sete is a personal favourite but plenty of other places.

In reply to The sharp end:

This place is awesome - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_de_Montpellier-le-Vieux - like a limestone Brimham. Loads of cool formations and a nice place to spend an afternoon, especially with kids.

We visited a couple of cool show caves as well while we were there. One was called Dargilan or la grotte rose and was awesome, the other I can't remember the name of. The formations were really impressive, it was well worth a visit.

If you're a cheese fan I'd recommend visiting the Roquefort caves, though I think the tour was in French with a print out in English. You do get to eat some exceptionally stinky cheese at the end of it :-D

In reply to The sharp end:

and visit the Musee de Charcuterie in Lacaune, and see their impressive fountain:
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-france-tarn-lacaune-detailed-picture-of-a-...

In reply to climbingpixie:



and this.

In reply to The sharp end:

Also try the obvious - Canoeing

and our face day out is to visit the wearyhe station at mont Aigoual. Its a couple of hours away, but kids love it and you get to drive the length of the gorge.

In reply to Ian W:

as mentioned, the various show caves nearby (including: http://www.aven-armand.com/en-gb/accueil.aspx ) are pretty impressive and a good place to escape the afternoon heat / rain / whatever with kids, without driving far.

but as also mentioned, canoeing trips are obvious (maybe not at easter?) and good fun. assuming you're staying near les vignes, the run down to there from la malene is straightforward but enjoyable. don't know how river levels fluctuate with rain but worth a look anyway.

In reply to The sharp end:

This place is supposed to be good:
http://www.micropolis-aveyron.com/

There's also a "Ludotheque" somewhere in Millau - like a library of games for kids (to play there, I don't think they lend them out)

In reply to TimB:

Not sure if this is the same place as you inked to http://www.tourisme-aveyron.com/en/play/adventure-park-via-ferrata.php but it would be a good outing for kids.

In reply to The sharp end:

To everyone who has replied. Wow! This has been fabulous and now have a great list of things to do! Can't thank you guys enough. Weather looks awful so not sure much climbing will be done. Thanks again.

In reply to sg:

Good point if with kids, I suppose - Unsurprisingly for a gorge within a limestone plateau, the Tarn can get a bit exciting after heavy rain (ie just how the op has described the weather). When the water is high, there is a good volume of the stuff moving faster than it looks.........fine if you know what you are doing, but not for a novice.

In reply to The sharp end:

Also anyone done any nice circular walk? And any via Ferrara suitable for capable young kids age 8-10?

In reply to The sharp end:

+1 for the caves.

In reply to The sharp end:

the tourist info at Millau had some gentle circular walks with english leaflets of the route, interesting things to look out for etc . The walks were way-marked by rather bizarre rust metal sculptures which looked worryingly like turds - we never did find out why!!

In reply to hms:

Haven't got the guide book to hand so not completely sure that the names are right.
Very easy but would be exciting for young kids was climb up to the lookout/cross at gorge de jonte above the old village. Maybe take 5 metres of rope for the ladders.
There is a blue Via Ferrara at Lee Boffi was pretty simple but depends on how old/tall your kids are.

In reply to The sharp end:

The turds made me chuckle. Kid is a tall 8 year old that can climb easy grades comfortably. Blue via Ferrara would be interesting.

In reply to The sharp end:

This was excellent and not far away
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padirac_Cave

It gets mega busy though, so make sure you get up early.