Amazing Lozère, least populated in France

A stone village in Lozère recedes beneath us as our vehicle climbs a road carved from a one-time animal track.

A panic attack by my seat mate punctuated my visit to Lozère, France’s least populated area.

After leaving the rugged Tarn River Valley our van was climbing a windy road to a high plateau when she lost it. She really shouldn’t have looked down.

This sign , seen throughout the Lozere, marks places hosting lodging for Robt Louis Stevenson Trail trekkers and their donkeys.

Robert Louis Stevenson trekked this area in 1878, leaving his chilly Scotland   behind, for a 136 mile stroll with a donkey that took him 12 days. Today the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail allows others to replicate his journey over trails that became today’s roads, one of which inspired my seat mate’s panic attack.

Spring blooming wild poppies fill meadows atop the Lozare’s plateau.

Hikers, including families, can borrow a donkey to carry their gear as member inns along the way offer a stable and hay for the donkey as well as lodging and a meal for the hikers. It’s a wonderful way to take in the flower filled meadows, caves, and ancient standing stones across this area.

I also met hikers on the Camino de Santiago also known as the Way of St. James. They were en route to Santiago, Spain on a pilgrimage that’s been done for 1,000 years and remains popular to this day.

A scallop shell, which often is worn by those walking the Way of St. James, also marks the trail itself and hostels hosting walkers.

Hostels and other places where they stop for the night are often marked with the scallop shell they adopt to signify their quest. They often stay in churches and monasteries in the region. May is a good time to begin the trek because the days are long and the flowers are in bloom. Find out more at www.csj.org.uk

Although the area is remote, the villages here are delightful and some of the most exquisite lodging can be found.

I hope to return to Lozère and maybe I’ll see you there.

A man and his dogs pause to rest from their trek in a tiny stone walled village in Lozere.