We’ve based all our calculations on getting to Mende, the capital of Lozère, which is actually right in the middle of the county.

Off the beaten track in the past, Lozère is now easily accessible even for a de-stressing long weekend - thanks to new motorways and to low-cost airlines.

France’s excellent network of motorways (usually quickest but not necessarily shortest routes) and trunk roads makes it quick and easy to get to Lozère although we’re in the south of France, 100km from the Mediterranean.

Estimated distances and times to Mende are:

Click here for a larger map

Channel Port Approx. distance Miles Time Calais 500 8h30 Cherbourg 550 9h Dieppe 450 7h30 Le Havre 450 7h30 St Malo 500 8h20 Caen 475 7h30

Lozère is served by a number of regional airports to which there are direct flights from the UK (and indeed from Paris).

AIRPORTS WITH DIRECT LINKS FROM THE UK Click here for a larger map

Airport Airline/ UK airport Miles to Mende Rodez Ryanair / Stansted 75 Nimes Ryanair / Stansted 95 St Etienne Ryanair / Stansted and Liverpool 110 Montpellier Ryanair / Stansted; BA and Air France / Gatwick 125 Lyon Easyjet / Stansted; BA / Heathrow 150 Toulouse BA & Easyjet / Gatwick; Flybe / Bristol and B’ham. 175

SNCF Railway Stations: There are rail stations at Aumont Aubrac, Banassac, Marvejols, Mende, le Monastier and Saint Chely d’Apcher. These six are all within Lozère (Note: the Lozère area code starts with 48). Another two SNCF stations serve the region from close-by: Ales (30), Millau (Aveyron). Trains from Paris leave for Aumont Aubrac and Mende from the Gare de Lyon; depending on time of day and day of week, some trains are direct, some require a change usually at Clermont Ferrand. Full network and timetable details.