Stevenson Trail In the footsteps of one man and his donkey
In 1878, Robert Louis Stevenson published, “Travels with a Donkey”, an account of his intriguing journey through the Cévennes, accompanied by his donkey, Modestine. Starting at the southern end of the Massif Central, the walk takes you across the Cévennes to the edge of the Midi.
1st stage
Day One Arrival 1 Le Puy Le Puy has a wealth of religious history and several beautiful buildings including the cathedral and the Romanesque chapel of St Michel de L’Aiguille perched 80m high on a pinnacle rock - the Rocher St. Michel.
Day Two Le Puy ➜
12 miles 1 Le Monastier
Today’s walk starts with a climb out of the valley, encircled by extinct volcanoes and then descends to cross the infant Loire, passing through some enchanting scenery.
Day Three Le Monastier ➜
16 miles 1 St. Nicolas
Stevenson bought his donkey, Modestine, in Le Monastier. Cross the Loire river at Goudet and rise out of the valley. The author got lost here; he missed the Lac du Bouchet because it is uphill of the hamlet within a flooded volcano cone.
Day Four St. Nicolas ➜
16 miles 1 Langogne
Through wooded valleys and rough pasture, along cinder paths and farm tracks. Everything is made of local granite, the houses, bread ovens and crosses.
Day Five Langogne ➜
10 miles 1 Cheylard L’Evêque
An undulating walk across the remote and vast plain of Margaride. The church bells here, like so many in the region, are not housed in a tower. This makes them louder, so in times of inclement weather the bells used to be rung to guide lost souls to the safety of the village.
Day Six Cheylard L’Evêque ➜
12 miles 1 La Bastide
Walk on the route of the Roman road that leads to Marseilles, via Regordane and enter the upper reaches of the attractive Allier valley.
Day Seven La Bastide ➜
Prices per person (Based on two sharing) Stevenson Trail 1st Stage
Ferry Inclusive
Rail Inclusive
Own Travel
LOW SEASON
from £756
£949
£649
HIGH SEASON*
from £786
£979
£679
Starting days: Any day. Own Ferry option includes transfer back to your car. Own travel clients requiring transfer back to the start add £150 per car. Single supplement £100. Stevenson Trail 2nd Stage
8 miles 1 Chasseradès
You climb today to the highest point of this stage, opposite the source of the Allier. As you climb over the Mourage hill you cross the watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, then head down the valley to pretty Chasseradès.
Ferry Inclusive
Rail Inclusive
LOW SEASON
from £796
£989
Own Travel £689
HIGH SEASON*
from £826
£1019
£719
Starting days: Any day. Ferry option includes transfer back to your car. Own travel clients requiring transfer back to the start add £150 per car. Single supplement £140. Extra night at Chasserades £55 per person HB. Extra night at St Jean du Gard £60 per person HB. * 17 July to 6 September start days.
Your hotels
Rail Travel - Stevenson Trail 1st Stage Outward: Depart St Pancras International station, change stations in Paris and trains at
Accommodation in this part of France tends to be simple, from small village guest houses to traditional auberges with good homely food.
Clermont Ferrand, arrive Le Puy en Velay late evening. Transfer from station to hotel not included – hotel is within easy walking distance.
View pictures, hotel descriptions and sample menus.
Return: Transfer from hotel to Chasseradès station not included, change trains at Nimes and stations in Paris, arrive St Pancras International station late evening.
www.bellefrance.co.uk/stevenson
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Reservations 01580 214010