ETANG DE BARRANDON - SAINT-ETIENNE-DU-VALDONNEZ

“La nasso del Gral”, “Trabès de Sagno morto”... these ancient names evoke the image of peat bogs.
Tradition attributes the origin of the pond to a feudal estate, created as a “peschio” — a fish pond. It is said that in the 13th century, a conflict arose between the local lords and the winegrowers, who, following the beliefs of the time, accused the ponds of Mont Lozère of attracting storms and hail that ruined their harvests.
In 1882, the land was purchased by Dr. Barrandon.

Today, the pond, located in the core area of the Cévennes National Park, is recognized under the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.
Only part of the lake is open for fishing, and it can be reached by a 3-kilometer dirt track through the forest, starting from the village of Les Laubies.