Stay in Au Portaou  
Chambres & table d'hôtes 
Activities   

Sportive and creative activities
Gastronomy and regional  products

Walking
Riding and walking with a
     donkey
Water and outdoor sports :
    canyoning, canoeing, climbing, 
    speleology
    Beach and swimmingpool 
Fishing
Golf and tennis
Cycling and  mountainbiking
Gastronomy and regional
     products : chestnuts - mushrooms 
     trout from Villefort - honey
Patchwork, quilting and creativity 
     with textiles
Winter sports 

Being a member of a hiking club, I will point out with pleasure the nicest walks. There are hikes starting at the house, but also starting from Villefort, Concoules, etc.
Many hiking guides are available.
You can hike in the valley of Valcrouzès (ideale for children and un-experienced walker) or follow part of the famous Regordane starting at St. André Capcèze.

From June till September you can participate in guided walks(Tuesday-mid level walkers, and Friday - experienced walkers). Inscription at the Villefort Tourism Office . tel 00 334 66 46 87 30

Worth while to attend : The FIRA, International Festival of Guided Hiking. This festival takes places every spring and autumn. Contact : 
le.fira@wanadoo.fr    

You can ride at 5 km distance, for an hour, a weekend, 3 / 4 days or 6 days, contact
www.cheval-cevennes.com

Hiking with a donkey, with a pack-saddle, to transport your gear in two large baskets, for info. contact :  www.badjane.org

Another riding address is the "Centre équestre de Villefort" : La Sédariès
tel. 00 33 4 66 46 87 30

Canyoning, canoeing, cycling, archery, climbing, speleology, windsurfing, sailing, water bikes, swimming and a sandy beach...

At the Lake of Villefort (at 7 km.) you can participate in the activities organised by " Grandeur Nature" open from the 15 th of April till the 15 th of Octobre. Inquiries :
www.grandeurnature48.com 

Swimming in the river at a distance of 3 kms, in the hidden "gourgs" (natural rocky basins), ideal for freshening up in summer. The swimming pool in Concoules at 4 km, is open in July and August. Paddle in the Valcrouzès brook at 200 m. distance !

There are lots of Fario-trouts in the lake of Villefort, that can grow to formidable size  (5  - 14,3 kgs).

In the Altier river you will have to use refined techniques, such a sfly fishing, fine lines, small hooks and live bait.
There are great fishing possibilities on a 12km stretch between the Villefort lakeand the hamlet of Rochettes-Basses at 15 km from Au Portaou.

A 9 hole golf court in a beatiful landscape near La Garde - Guérin at 12 kms.

Many tennis tournaments are organised by the Villefort Tourism Office.

Cycling is possible everywhere, a true pleasure here because of the beautiful nature.
Keep in mind that it is a mountainous region.

Mountain biking
Many mountain bike routes around Villefort and Pied de Borne.
Also the forest paths are practicable.
Info. : Villefort Tourism Office tel 00 334 66 46 87 30

At Au Portaou you can enjoy the pleasure of harvesting and preparing chestnuts. You can savour delicious recipes at our dining table.

To know more about chestnuts : 
- visit the Chestnut Museum (Musée de la châtaigne) open in July
   and August from 17 till 19 hours. Pied de Borne.
- visit the workshop "Atelier de transformation" to see the making
   of dried chestnuts, flour, jam and paste 
- You can visit a chestnut orchard and a "clède" in Pied de Borne
  (open year round and upon reservation, tel 04 66 69 81 87)
   and the "Atelier de transformation"(open year round upon   
   reservation,  tel 04 66 69 80 36).

The appropriate periods for mushrooms are spring and autumn. The mushrooms will appear according to mysterious natural laws.
In the Lozère they are an essential aromatic ingredient of the kitchen : Chanterelle, cep and many other varieties.
On demand it is possible to participate in collecting mushrooms in our woods and in their preparation in our kitchen, followed by tasting the prepared dishes at dinner time.

You can visit a honey factory in Vielvic (at 1 km distance). Here you can taste different sorts of honey such as  : chestnut, raspberry, heather, fir ... open Fridays in summer.
You can also visit  "Aux Ruchers du Trental" in Peyremale (20 km.) for a very interesting tour and for watching the bees at work in a "bee-viewing box". Here you will also find a botanic walk and you can taste different sorts of honey : lavender, rosemary/thyme, sunflower... Open all year on reservaton.

You can by fresh and smoked trout from the trout farmer. Trout is also regularly served at our dinner table.
The "Cezarenque" farm at 6 kms also sells very nice regional products.

Patricia loves to share with you her passion for patchwork.
She also offers lessons or courses in patchwork outer summer season.
You can participate individually or with maximum 4 persons, with the possibility of full board.

Patchwork and quilting, both manually and by machine and with different techniques are on offer. Please bring your own material.
Tariffs at request, tel/fax 00 33 4 66 46 20 10

Ski, nordic ski, sleigh rides with huskies and walks with snow shoes.
site : causses-cevennes.com/ski.htm