TERRITORIES IN THE CEVENNES

The Causses and the Cévennes, a cultural landscape of Mediterranean agro-pastoralism. Extending over 302,319 ha south of the French Massif Central, the landscape is made up of mountains braided with deep valleys which is representative of the relationship existing between agropastoral systems and their environment, especially through the drailles or transhumance roads. The main structures of the landscape, buildings, terraces, walls and streams, retain a high degree of authenticity with regard to their built fabric, but many need conservation work, especially terraces. Now, they are much less numerous within the area proposed for inscription of the Cevennes. As for the authenticity of the agro-pastoral processes that have shaped the landscape, these survive and, although they are vulnerable and in the hands of a very small number of farmers (not more than 100), they benefit from a renaissance thanks to the combined action of local and national authorities and local communities.