Le Collet-de-Dèze is a commune in the department of Lozère, in the Occitanie region, 28 km northwest of Alès.
Bordering the Gard to the northeast and southeast, its 26 km² territory ranges from 260 to 900 meters above sea level, falling under the Cévennes which constitute the southern chain of the Massif Central.
Crossed by various rivers such as the Gardon d'Alès or the Dourdon, in particular, the locality has retained a very green environment, its area being 95% covered with forests.
The town as it appears today brings together four old villages: le Collet, Dourdon, Dèze (former capital of the country of Dèze) and la Bastide. The development of the future national road 106 at the end of the 19th century and the creation of a railway line leading to Florac at the beginning of the 20th century opened up the locality, whose first dwellings were established during Antiquity. A castrum is then raised which dominates Dèze around the year one thousand.
Later, as in the whole region, the villages were converted to the reformed religion (16th century) and the repression which followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes had a profound effect on the inhabitants. The temple of Collet-de-Dèze is one of the few to have been spared by the "dragonnades" ordered by Louis XIV...
Nowadays, with nearly 800 inhabitants, the town highlights its heritage and its environment conducive to hiking. It has become popular with lovers of green tourism.
The locality has preserved a heritage of character which reflects its history (with four villages originally) and the need over the centuries to adapt or take advantage of a specific geography (bridges, mills).
There are thus remains of the castle of Dèze (but the property is private and not open to the public), and the ruins of the priory of Saint-Jean established in the Middle Ages.
The jewel of the heritage is its Protestant temple now listed in the Inventory. Its architecture is typical of Cévennes temples, in particular because of its median arch. Its construction began in 1646, which now makes it one of the oldest in France. Cleverly, the inhabitants donated it to the Marquise de Portes to attest to their submission to royal power. The Marchioness obtained from Louis XIV that the building not be destroyed. It served for a time as an armory, then as a shed, and after the Revolution, the population who remained faithful to the reformed religion bought it and restored it. The Protestant worship was again celebrated there from 1803. The temple is open to visitors in July and August on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the reception being provided by volunteers.
Don't miss the Catholic Church of Saint John the Evangelist (completed in 1815) whose bell tower was transformed into a round tower in 1896, on which a statue of the Virgin was installed. The old 15th century belfry (Clock tower), the picturesque old houses of the village in local stone and chestnut wood (16th, 17th centuries), some still equipped with mullioned windows and sculpted decorations, also deserve to mark out a heritage walk.
It is also advisable to follow the interpretation trail called Vieux Collet (1.5 km long or 1h30 walk) which allows you to understand the town by taking the old royal road and which leads to the temple, the puech (hill) of the Sabaterie and the remains of the castle. On the route, you can see the old mills and canals built over the centuries, and you can see the stone bridges often hit by the floods before the metal footbridges were built. In addition, the sites related to the mines exploited formerly in the region are mentioned. Information on the trail on +33 4 66 45 81 94.
In terms of culture, activities are regularly scheduled at the Oseraie media library (contact on +33 4 66 44 74 17) and shows and association events organized in the village hall (information on +33 4 66 45 50 14).
In terms of leisure, if you can cool off (if not swim safely) in the waters of the Gardon, or canoe there (rental point in the town bordering the east of Sainte-Cécile d'Andorge where a nautical base has been set up), it is above all the amateurs of hiking who are at the party.
Many marked paths are available, following the rivers or crossing the wooded hills. These routes dotted with viewpoints can sometimes include difficulties. Thematic trails dedicated to the heritage or history of the Camisards who resisted the repression of the Protestants ordered by Louis XIV are also accessible. Finally, the routes recommended by the Cévennes National Park focusing on flora and fauna, in particular, complete this vast network. Maps and information on +33 4 66 45 81 94.
Every Tuesday, the market is held in the center of the town. In July and August, the appointment is extensive and the producers and artisans of the region highlight the terroir and the know-how of the Cévennes.
The 3rd Saturday of August, town festival with bingo, petanque tournament, gourmet meal and musical entertainment.
