Between the gorges of the Loire and Allier, at the crossroads of Haute-Loire, Lozère and Ardèche, lies Pradelles, a pretty village called the "balcony of the South" and listed among the most beautiful villages of France.
This former fortified town, ideally located to protect its inhabitants in the Middle Ages, was also an important trading hub and an essential stop on the Regordane road linking Auvergne to Languedoc. Many hikers make a stop there: one of the most famous, the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, travelled around Velay, Gévaudan and the Cévennes in the autumn of 1878, accompanied by his donkey Modestine. The famous trail which now bears his name and goes from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille to Saint-Jean-du-Gard corresponds to the famous GR 70 itinerary.
From its rich past, Pradelles has preserved a beautiful heritage as evidenced by the arcades of Place de la Halle, the remains of fortifications and the high stone façades of old houses such as the Templer house. The Chapel of Our Lady, built in 1613 by the Dominicans, houses a miraculous Virgin Mary statue, which is the subject of a pilgrimage every 15 August.
In the heights of the town, be sure to take a look at the orientation table in the Calvary Garden. From there, you will have a beautiful view of the Langogne basin and Lake Naussac!
Lovers of unusual tourism will enjoy discovering the Pradelles Railbike. Starting at the station, the old Transcévenol railway line provides several railbike routes: two people in front do the pedalling while the passengers in the back enjoy the scenery! Round trips on these routes last from 1h to 3h30, featuring tunnels, viaducts and opportunities to contemplate nature...
