PARIS
MARSEILLES 318½ 211½ [ST. GEORGES-D’AURAC], 1872 ft. above the sea. Inn: Lombardin, near the station. Change carriages for Le Puy, 32 m. E., and for St. Etienne 54½ m. farther. (See [p. 91], and [map p. 46].)
PARIS
MARSEILLES 323 207 [LANGEAC], pop. 4800. Inns: H. Lombardin; Pascon. (See [p. 91], and [map p. 46].) Between Langeac and Langogne the train passes through a most picturesque country. Rich vegetation amidst vast masses of basalt, either continuous or isolated, either rugged or grooved with pentagonal columns; sometimes also rent into deep dark ravines, between vertical cliffs of which the eye just catches a glance while being hurried past in the train. 3¾ m. S. from Langeac is Chanteuges, 1800 ft., pop. 1000, on an eminence above the station. The fortified tower, the remains of the old abbey, is well seen from the rail. Just before arriving at the next station, Chazes, 8½ m. S. from Langeac, is an interesting church, 11th cent., against a rock. Then follow the stations of [Monistrol-d’Allier], 2000 ft. (p. 91); Alleyras, 2195 ft.; and Jonchure, 2238 ft.
Langogne.
PARIS
MARSEILLES 364½ 165½ [LANGOGNE], 2940 ft. above the sea, pop. 4000. Inns: Cheval Blanc; Chambon. Pleasantly situated on the Langouyrou. All the trains halt here. (See pp. [88] and [94], and [map p. 46].) 7½ m. farther S. is Luc station, 2900 ft.; and 4½ m. farther S., La Bastide, 3070 ft., the culminating point of the line. A few miles to the W. of the station is the source of the Allier. At Prevenchères, 6 m. S., the station is only 2580 ft. above the sea. The line now passes by immense rocks and cliffs of granite.
PARIS
MARSEILLES 390 140 [VILLEFORT], 1820 ft., pop. 2000. A poor village on the Devèze, in a deep valley at the foot of Mt. Lozère. Diligences at this station for Mende, passing through, at about half-way, Bagnols les Bains, 23½ m. W.
[Bagnols les Bains], pop. 500. Inns: Lacombe; Des Bains; Midi. A poor village 3087 ft. above the sea, at the confluence of the Villaret and the Lot. It has a thermal establishment supplied by an unctuous and clear water, temperature 100° Fahr., efficacious in rheumatic affections, cutaneous diseases, bruises, etc. In the neighbourhood are pleasant excursions, good fishing in the Lot, and plenty of game on the mountains.
From Villefort to Alais the line penetrates a very mountainous country by numerous tunnels and viaducts. At [La Grande Combe], with the two stations of La Levade and La Pise, the important coal, iron, and zinc mines commence which extend to Alais.
Alais.
PARIS
MARSEILLES 419 111 [ALAIS], pop. 22,000, on the Gardon. Hotels: Commerce; *Luxembourg; Champagne. Situated, like Sainte Cecile, La Levade, La Pise, and Tamaris, among coal-fields, iron-works, and manufactories.
This is the best station from which to enter the mountainous regions of Lozère, traversed easily by diligences corresponding with each other. Some very capital wine is made at Alais.