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Nature reserve La Cerisaie is situated within the Haut-Languedoc nature reserve. The area became a regional nature reserve in 1973 and its purpose, obviously, is to preserve and protect the natural resources. There are 46 regional nature reserves in France. The park covers 260000 hectares, is partially situated within the Hérault and crosses over to the Tarn in the low mountain range of the southern foothills of the Massif Central. It encompasses the Caroux-Espinouse massif, the Sidobre massif, a part of the Montagne Noire and the Monts de Lacaune. Here you discover vineyards fringed by mimosas but also steep cols, forested plateaus and vast heaths, lakes, numerous waterfalls, hilly pastures and authentic villages. This highly varied landscape makes up the habitat of many animal species, among which almost 250 bird species. In the reserve you can find mouflons, weasels, snake eagles, nightjars, nightingales, green lizards, age-old broad-leaved trees, different types of wild orchids and mosses. The crescent-shaped mountain ridge in the park provides a natural separation of streams. To the north of this relief the water flows towards the Atlantic Ocean, to the south it flows towards the Mediterranean Sea. Also the climate has both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences. The park has an extraordinary number of diversities in landscape, flora and fauna. On the eastern side of the park, which is situated within the Caroux Massif, mountain peaks rise up against the sky. The western side, on the other hand, which lies within the Sidobre massif, exhibits piles of large, eroded granite boulders. On the northern side the reservoirs of Vésole, La Raviège, Laouzas and Saint-Peyres reflect the mountains that surround Lacaune, Anglès and the Somail. The water that comes from the Montagne Noire nourishes the famous Canal du Midi on the southern side of the park. The reserve is interspersed with hundreds of kilometres long walking, cycle and VTT routes. La Cerisaie is the perfect place to be for an exploration through this beautiful scenery. |
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