The entire stretch of southern France between the A7 Autoroute du Soleil and the A20 towards Toulouse is a motorcycle paradise. You can spend hours, even days, exploring here. The Auvergne and Ardèche have already been described (Ardèche in Motor Tour Guide Part 1 and Auvergne in Motor Tour Guide Part 2).

Now it's the turn of the regions to the south: the Cévennes (east) and the Tarn (west). Characteristic of much of this region are the "causses," expansive and barren plateaus with deep gorges. The Cévennes differ in their granite and slate subsoil. The ravines are somewhat less steep, and the landscape is less rugged. A trip from east to west, or vice versa, is incredibly scenic, giving you a good impression of this diverse region.

This is the description of the second of three routes in Tarn and Cévennes from the Motorcycle Touring Guide France part 2.

We start in Florac and take the D907/D996 to the tiny village of Vebron. Here, be sure to take the small road on the right, which will take you up to the plateau in a few loops. Be aware that some sections here are unpaved.
You now arrive at the Causses (meaning limestone plateau), and the Méjean is the summit of four of these plateaus: Sauveterre, Méjean, Noir, and Larzac. These are separated by deep river gorges. The extremely harsh climate has forced most people to flee, and the area has become the domain of animals.

Why would you take this impossible little road when you could also take the D-road through the Tarnon and Fraissinnet valleys? Because this road takes you to the Chaos de Nimes-le-Vieux (RP4). This is a rocky outcrop that, from a distance, resembles the ruins of a city—a beautiful spot. You'll have to walk a bit to get there, though. You can park your motorcycle in Veygalier or I'Hom.

Then you drive back down the plateau and back to the Col du Perjuret, from where the original route from Cabrillac takes you via the D18 to Mont Aigoual. This 1,567-meter-high peak serves as a weather station. On a clear day, you have a beautiful view, from the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees. There's also an exhibition by the French Meteorological Institute and a botanical forest called "I'Hort de Dieu" (the Garden of God).

We turn left at Cabrillac and ride via the Col Salidès, where you have a beautiful view at over 1000 meters altitude, towards Saint-André-de-Valborgne. We continue via the beautiful, winding Col de l'Espinas and Col du Pas passes to Valleraugue. Here we cross the Hérault River, which we continue following on the very winding D986, so we enjoy some wonderful driving. Then we take the Col de la Serreyrède.

We visit Abîme de Bramabiau, a cave carved out by water that ultimately finds its way out through a waterfall. The river runs throughout the cave, and because almost no water seeps through the ceiling, there are almost no stalagmites or tuffs. This gives the cave a very different appearance than you're used to.

We then continue to Meyrueis, where we rejoin the original route and stop for lunch. No fewer than three rivers converge in Meyrueis: the Brèze, the Bétuzon, and the Jonte. Meyrueis is also the gateway to the Jonte Gorges, and we continue our journey through them (D996). These gorges aren't nearly as well-known as those of the Tarn, but they certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. As a natural cleft between the Causse Méjean and the Causse Noir, it guarantees a fantastic drive. Plus, it'll teach you a lesson about erosion! With a bit of luck, you'll have the best chance of spotting one of the giant vultures that have been released here. These animals have an impressive wingspan, which can reach up to 2 meters!

After over 20 kilometers of pure motorcycling enjoyment, the finish line, Le Rozier, comes into view. You could choose to continue and end the day, but if you're still in the mood for a bit of excitement and to see more of the Causse Méjean, here's what you should do: 5 km before Le Rozier lies tiny Le Truel. There you can turn right and ride almost vertically uphill to St. Pierre-des-Tripiers, after which you descend almost bobsledding-like to Les Vignes, where you take the D907 along the Tarn to the finish line, Le Rozier.

You can also make a round trip by turning right at the T-junction just after Le Bruel and taking the D16 to Florac.