Forêt de Palayson

Covering 5,060 hectares, it has been listed as a Natura 2000 site under the Habitats Directive. It is a remarkable natural area of hillside woodlands, cave biotopes, streams, temporary ponds and various Mediterranean amphibious habitats such as the incredible “bowls” carved into the rhyolite, and the famous marsh system of Catchéon. Such habitats are home to a whole wealth of interesting animal and plant life. Dense population of Hermann tortoises and European pond turtles.