By a stroke of amazing luck we met Philippe and were able to realize our goal. We were one of those inns who received his proposal and accepted. We are so happy we did. The experience has been both enjoyable and educational for both of us. Tiny stone hamlets with terracotta roofs cling to the sides of mountains.
Countrymen tend sheep and goats in stone biers beneath groves of chestnut trees.
Vineyards hang precariously to the slopes. While visitors come from many European countries, the pleasures of the Cevennes are virtually unknown to Americans. In 1878 a young Robert Louis Stevenson came here. And you can follow his footsteps by hiking the Stevenson Trail , which, of course will bring you right to Phillipe's Gite d'etape in La Bastide. We wound up staying a full week with Philippe.