Attractions and Places To See around Arlempdes - Top 20

The faithful trust in the help of the Mother of God – who in France is always venerated under the title “Notre-Dame” (which corresponds to the German name “Our Lady”) – was expressed by the French nun, mystic and Doctor of the Church, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (religious name Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, 1873 to 1897) as follows: “In trials or difficulties I turn to Mother Mary, whose gaze alone is enough to dispel all fear.”

Each of these crosses, which the hiker often encounters in the fields or, as here, at the top of the mountain, is a symbol of remembrance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "With us on earth there is His memory, but in the Kingdom of Heaven is His presence: This presence is the joy of those who have already attained salvation. The memory is our consolation, as we are still wanderers, journeying toward our homeland." (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, c. 1090–1153)

South gate of the fortified town of Pradelles, an unmissable vestige during your visit

Located on the “chemin de Saint-Gilles”, Pradelles had a “Road Hospital”. This hospital is located below the city, because, if charity ordered passing pilgrims to be accommodated, prudence with regard to brigands and epidemics advised to do so "outside the walls". The statue of Notre-Dame, of which Robert-Louis Stevenson wrote, in 1878, "that it worked many miracles although it was made of wood", was discovered in 1512 near this hospital in a wooden chest buried at a unknown period. She was placed in the chapel adjoining the hospital. The current Notre-Dame chapel was built by the Dominicans, the first stone was laid on May 8, 1613. The bell tower was raised in 1655. The chapel was restored and redecorated from 1867 to 1876, the bell tower was remodeled in 1879, to accommodate the Bourdon (large bell with a deep sound). The stone dome topped with the statue of the Virgin was completed in 1889.

The Besset portal is the southern gate of the city of Pradelles, the rue Basse which descends from it joins the Entressac to reform the "Chemin de Saint-Gilles" which takes on the name of "Chemin de Régordane" a little further south. We can clearly see the structure of the gate, with a first arch, behind which the heavy iron portcullis slid (in the slides dug into the stone), and a second arch against which the heavy wooden gate pivoting on iron hinges was closed. (part of which is still sealed in the wall) and locked by wooden bars anchored in notches cut in the stone.

The current church of Pradelles was built to replace an old church, in Romanesque style, which had become too small for a population which reached 2000 souls at the end of the 19th century. The plans were drawn by Mr. Tracol, architect, and adopted on August 16, 1897; the demolition of the old church began in March 1900, and the first stone of the new building was laid on June 26, 1900. The new church was inaugurated on November 12, 1902. In the washerwomen's lane, south of the church, two old Gothic style doors are classified as historic monuments. From the square located behind the church, in front of the Presbytery, the view extends from the ridges of Margeride, to the west, to the summits of Mont Lozère. The old brothers' school, to the west of the square, now houses the "Living Draft Horse Museum".

A crossroads marks this beautiful viewpoint. The height is 970 m. There is a bench and when the sun shines, the wide base of the wall at the crossroads heats up. You can relax wonderfully there.

Lac du Bouchet is a magnificent body of water suitable for swimming and walking. Indeed a landscaped path goes around it. On its southern part there is a beach and a relaxation area. You will also find at the level of its northern part a very good restaurant which serves local dishes.