Le Val de Cantobre

In the heart of the Grands Causses Regional Park and bordering onto the Cévennes National Park the Val de Cantobre is superbly situated for exploring this region which takes in the Tarn and Jonte Gorges...and is just 25 minutes from the new Millau Viaduct! Val de Cantobre nestles in the Dourbie Valley and the domain is terraced enabling most visitors to have a view from their accommodation down the valley and some have the privilege of a view across to Cantobre village clinging to it's rocky promontory! The site is set aound a medieval farmhouse which in bygone days, during one period, even hid away money forgers! Today the cosy vaulted bar and the restaurant, with tradional French cuisine on the menu, are housed within these thick stone walls.

The Grand Causse area is the perfect destination for orchid lovers, with over 60 different species to be seen throughout the year. Spring is always the best time to see the largest variety and that is when you can see the two endemic orchids of the area; Aveyron orchid is only found on Causse Larzac and Aymonin’s orchid is only found in the Grands Causses.
Because the area is mainly limestone, orchids thrive on the meadows here. Across the whole Causse region you will come across meadows which are full of Orchid spikes – Military, Lady, Monkey, Early Purple, Fragrant, Burnt and Green-winged all grow in good numbers. The wooded areas often hold masses of White, Narrow-leaved and Red Helleborines while it is not uncommon to come across Birds Nest Orchids in unusually high numbers.