14 from Langogne, is the roadside inn of [Peyrebelle], 4195 ft. above the sea, where for 25 years the landlord and his wife robbed and murdered the travellers that came to their house. Nearly 4 m. N. from Peyrebelle is Coucouron, pop. 1400.
The road now attains the height of 4266 ft., where, on account of the snow and wind, it becomes very dangerous in winter.
35 m. from Aubenas and 5 from Langogne is [Pradelles], 3771 ft., 16 m. from Le Puy by coach and 5 from Langogne (see p. 88, and maps, pages [26], [56] and [46]).
Prades. Jaujac.
[ Prades, Pont-de-la-Baume, Jaujac, Montpezat,
St. Eulalie, and Source of the Loire.]
For the main loopline, see [map p. 56]; for the rest, [map p. 46].
11¾ m. N. from Vogué station and 5½ from Aubenas station is the terminus of this branch line, called Nieigles-Prades, as from it coaches take passengers to both of these towns. Nieigles, pop. 1600, is situated on an eminence rising from the N. side of the Ardèche. In the vicinity are coal-pits and rows of basalt columns supporting terraces covered with chestnut trees. On the south side of the Ardèche, and to the east of Jaujac, is [Prades], pop. 1200, on the Salindre, in the centre of an important coal-basin.
Near the railway terminus is the village of Pont-de-la-Baume, pop. 900, Inns: H. du Louvre, etc., 955 ft. above the sea, at the confluence of the rivers Fontaulière and Alignon with the Ardèche. One of the best headquarters for visiting the basalt rocks in the neighbourhood, both from its own position and the facility afforded here for going elsewhere, as the coaches for Vals, Mayers, Burzet, Neyrac, Montpezat, and Jaujac pass through it.
3¾ m. from La Baume, or 7½ from Aubenas by coach, is [Jaujac], the Jovis aqua of the Romans, pop. 2600. Inn: Union. On an eminence above the Alignon, of which nearly the whole of the right bank from Pont-de-la-Baume to Jaujac is lined with countless basaltic prisms. From the town cross the bridge, and at the mill descend to the path by the side of the river, where there is an admirable view of the columns, which, however, are not vertical. About ½ m. from the town is the Coupe de Jaujac, an extinct volcano, which has burst through the coal formation of this valley, bounded by mountains of granite and gneiss. It is ascended easily in 20 minutes. At the foot of the crater, just where the path leading to the top commences, is a gaseous chalybeate spring; not unlike those of Vals.
Montpezat.