These SE Cevennes Holiday Gites are in a stunning location for a rich and diverse, holiday in France, And Languedoc Roussillon is probably the most diverse and beautiful of all the regions in this vast & wonderful country.

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter - each offers a different experience & new discoveries. From here you can enjoy the magnificent Cevennes National Park to the West, historical Uzes, Pont du Gard or Avignon to the East, or the Mediterranean coast and everything in-between to the South. You will probably fall in love as I did.

Each Gite has its own corner of a unique and delightful Chateau Style Farmhouse including a romantic Tower Annexe, lovely apartment & "Gite Ruraux", They are self-catering, or b&b, or Chambre d'Hote, with Anglo French hospitality. A getaway from it all, or joining a BBQ, or meal for all with a laugh or two, The superb views and tranquillity here are evocative (outside of family holidays of course!).

L'Elzet has a private swimming pool, as well as crystal clear spring-water river swimming with beaches; and thrilling walks, horse riding, fishing & tennis We have a strong year round village community with shops, local surgery, school, and bar restaurant(s); and with a couple of excellent restaurants about 20mins drive that has built a big reputation.

L'Elzet has a private swimming pool, as well as crystal clear spring-water river swimming, thrilling walks, horse riding, fishing & tennis We have a strong year round pretty village community crowned with an old Chateau, shops, local surgery, school, and bar restaurant(s); and with a couple of excellent restaurants about 20mins drive that has built a big reputation.

The Cevennes National Park is UNESCO protected and not overrun with tourists! Saint Jean du Gard is just 11km, Ales 30km and for travel Nimes station and airport is 45mins, Montpellier 1hr45, Avignon 1hr30. In all it makes for a great holiday location all year round. Long term let is possible out of season - with a good school for Junior to Senior in our village and Wi-Fi Internet to keep you connected.

There is a huge place in my heart for L'Elzet and the Cevennes in France. Though my family have lived in Cannes for 30 years or more, I am always drawn to get on a plane or train, and spend much of my holiday time in this amazing place.

L'Elzet is a haven like no other. On my first visit, it was a magical sight, and I could barely get my breath for the wonder of the breathtaking panoramic views before me. Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter, it still continues to enthral me.

Why am I writing this? For Jeaves (That's her photo top right); Because I fell in love with L'Elzet; Because I'm a volunteer who can use a computer and she can't. The perk ? I get to stay for free when there's room! And having travelled far, I have now come to the conclusion that I don't need to. Everything I could want in a holiday is in reach here.

I hope you enjoy reading my first Hubpage, and if so, please leave a comment or vote!

Annette UK http://profile.to/annette1212

L'Elzet Gites website: Cevennes Holiday Gites

Jeaves Ropero, like many from the UK, bought a ruin, spent many years of labour on it, and then committed to a life permanently in France. L'Elzet evolved, 20 years in all so far, with a vision that was quite extraordinary.

Jeaves always strives to help everyone get the most out of their stay in the Cevennes. With her character and hospitality I know she offers (she's a fab cook too) it's no surprise that feedback says L'Elzet is loved by so many.

L'Elzet has a menagerie of animals, all with such individual character and as tame as house pets. There is always a newborn or young ones that need feeding and children love to get involved. There are 4 gorgeous donkeys - 2 young ones, and Pacarette &,Hugo who love being taken for a walk. Several miniature goats; And one recent resident - a "Little Owl" (the smallest of the species) named "Kes", was rescued and raised from just 2in tall until full grown and set free. Here, even so small, he had a wise & candid stare, and mesmerized everyone.

Imagine swimming in crystal clear, aquamarine springwater, sheltered by petit canyons, where even in the driest of Summers there is still swimming here; or exploring the many walks of Robert Lewis Stevenson's account in "Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes", or horse riding along ancient trails that thrill. Canoeing, kayacking, climbing or caving the Cevennes can offer it all and more.

The National Park is a wild and rugged mountaneous area, with forests of sweet chestnut, granite cliffs, canyons, and rich verdant valleys, crowned by Mont Lozère.

In contrast, limestone has created fabulous deep underground caves. Of all of these, the Grotte de Trabuc is the most spectacular. From February through November, and dramatically lit, "100,000 soldiers", underground lakes and unlikely glittering formations are in many hues. It is just a 25 min drive from L'Elzet..

This land is also shaped by its several river "Gardons" , and in places, deeply gouged out of the bedrock to dramatic effect. One of these well worth the visit is the Gorge du Tarn, near Florac..

The Cevennes National Park is designated as a "Biosphere" uniquely protected by UNESCO since 1985. This includes protection of the Cevenol way of life within the park, as well as its uniquely diverse nature, geology and archeaology.

This "Biosphere" supports 2,250 species of flora, some unique to the Cevennes and Botanists from all over Europe and beyond come to study them. Look out for an orchid only to be found in the hedgerow in May/June. There are 2450 reported species of animal life including the reintroduced, and prized, fawn and black vultures.

Voted one of the top "Must See and Do"' things in France is to drive the dramatic Corniche Des Cévennes in Autumn, with its rich russets and golds of sweet chestnut. And L'Elzet is perfectly placed.

Find out about the History of the Camisards in the Cevennes

The village of St-Etiènne-Vallée-Française is only 1.5km from L'Elzet with friendly villagers and typical local shops, it also boasts a bar-restaurant which serves great affordable food. just beyond the village, at each end, are two more restaurants, one of which was such an entertaining experience we loved every minute and every morsal that was served.

St Jean Du Gard is less than 15mins drive and sits on a wider section of the river Gardon. (There is an amazing restaurant here called L'Orangerie that was reported to be as good as a michelin star but I have yet to try it!). It is quite a hub of activity and at the Visitor Centre here you can find out about the local festivals and cultural events, as well as at Mende. Twice a week it has a marvelous colourful and lively street market. You can take the Steam Train from here which takes you through beautiful scenery with a stop-off at the Giant Bamboo Park on it's winding way to Anduze. There is also a Cevenol Museum, Aquarium and outdoor swimming pool.

-East of here is the ancient town of Anduze, with its tower, cobbled streets and colourful market days, and then Alès. the nearest "city" of culture, and great for clothes shopping!

The Cevennes (and Languedoc Roussillon ) is renowned for the quality of light, and diversity of beautiful landscapes, architecture, culture and nature, Perfect for the keen stills or video photographer.

I love stills photography but wanted to move into shooting video too. I had been researching deeply into camcorders for my Christmas WishList. I had some pretty stiff criteria including lightweight & compact fit in my pocket, I wanted to take it anywhere, any time. (the video on this Hubpage isn't mine).

I chose the Canon HF10 HD (High Definition) which I received as a joint family present in January 2009 . I'm really pleased with it - not least for it's compact size. It uses an internal 16GB Flash memory plus slot for an additional 16GB Flash Card. I found the bulky DV tape, miniDVD or hard drive camcorders simply too bulky and weight a problem when holding for a short period of time. The other main reason for this choice was because it has a microphone jack socket!, I can use an external wireless microphone system if I choose to, for say recording events for a more professional-like video production. It is possible to pick up a lightweight wireless system such as this from around £100 and it fits into the shoe on top of the camera which would be on a 3-way tripod.

Frankly I was amazed that other well known high quality brands, one in particular I would have chosen, didn't have this feature. Maybe some do include it now

My 2 year old Digital SLR camera happens to be a Canon Rebel and it's easy to interchange lens accessories. I think I've shot some great photos with it,