Heritage of the historic centre of Mende, capital of Gévaudan

©Rue de l'ange - centre historique de Mende|C. Nouet - OTI Mende

La rue Basse - Mende — ©La rue Basse, dans le centre historique de Mende|F. Soler - OTI Mende

Mende, city of bishops in Gévaudan

“Did you know that the department of Lozère was once the province of Gévaudan?
Le Gévaudan, a name which, on its own, is enough to plunge us into the imagination at the time of the wars of religion or the mystery of the beast …”

Once the seat of the powerful Counts-Bishops, the town of Mende was turned towards crafts and trade.

Mende Cathedral

The old town grew up around its monumental Gothic cathedral.
This 14th, 15th and 16th century monument, which dominates the town with its imposing stature, is one of the rare Gothic buildings in Lozère.
Mende Cathedral is the symbol of the power of the bishops in the royal province of Gévaudan. A visit not to be missed!
ATTENTION : The Cathedral’s opening times are limited and vary according to the season – Inform yourself before coming to visit it!

Information about the Cathedral

La cathédrale de Mende — ©Façade Ouest de la cathédrale de Mende - place Urbain V|F.S. - OTI Mende

Vue Intérieur de la Cathédrale de Mende — ©Intérieur de la Cathédrale de Mende. Vue sur la nef et le chœur depuis l'entrée Ouest. Splendide présentation des tapisseries d'Aubusson du XVIIIè siècle.|Ville de Mende

©Place Volterra de Mende avec vue sur le grand clocher de la Cathedrale|OTI Mende

©Le marchés de Mende place Urbain V|OTI Mende

The must-haves

the historic centre of Mende

Pharmacy XIXè
Notre Dame Bridge
Town Hall
Door heritage

Pharmacy of the former hospital of Mende

The former hospital of the city of Mende built in the seventeenth, eighteenth & nineteenth centuries is now a residence for independent seniors.
His pharmacy, restored in 2019, is in excellent condition of conservation.
It has a set consisting of many objects of the nineteenth century.
His walnut furniture recreates the atmosphere of our apothecary shops of yesteryear.
Of the forty or so pharmacies still in existence from this period in France, we can say without a doubt, that it is one of the 10 most beautiful pharmacies in France.

Please note: The pharmacy is only accessible during guided tours scheduled between June and September, during school holidays or by reservation.

Listen to the radio tour of the pharmacy

48FM broadcast (February 2021) presented by Ludovic Terol with Nelly Lafont (P.A.H Mende & Lot en Gévaudan) and Alexandre Manceau (Office de Tourisme Mende Cœur Lozère)

Notre Dame bridge in Mende

This bridge, dating from the 13th century, was for a long time the only stone bridge in the town to span the Lot.

Take a look at the houses topped with roofs known as “à la Philibert” (taken from the architect Philibert Delorme) which have the profile of inverted ship hulls.
This roof typology is characteristic of the upper Lot valley.

House known as the “Ancienne synagogue”
& former Carmelite convent

These two houses, probably built by the same master builder, are among the oldest in Mende (13th century).
Behind the Gothic porches are surprising patios with balconies.
The origins of these two private mansions seem to be linked to the kingdom of Aragon.

Hôtel de ville de Mende

Eighteenth-century town hall.
This is a classic building interpreted in the local style with its impressive slate roof.

On the first floor, in the marriage room, you will discover some very beautiful Aubusson tapestries depicting the biblical episode of Judith and General Holofernes.

Note:Accessible and visible only during guided tours.

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Escaliers de l'hôtel de ville de Mende — ©Clé de voûte suspendue dans les escaliers de l'hôtel de ville de Mende|C. Nouet - OTI Mende

Salle des mariage de l'hôtel de ville — ©Les tapisseries d'Aubusson de la salle des mariages de l'hôtel de ville de Mende en Lozère|C. Nouet - OTI Mende

Clé de voûte suspendue - hôtel de ville Mende — ©Clé de voûte suspendue dans les escaliers de l'hôtel de ville de Mende|C. Nouet - OTI Mende

Porte ancienne rue du Fournet — ©Porte ancienne, rue du Fournet, centre historique de Mende|OTI Mende

Porte ancienne, 6 Rue Basse à Mende — ©Porte ancienne située 6 Rue Basse à Mende (48)|OTI Mende

Porte rue du Soubeyrand — ©Porte avec encadrement à bossage rue du Soubeyrand|OTI Mende

©Porte ancienne rue Droite à Mende|OTI Mende

The heritage of doors in Mende

Mende is renowned among art history enthusiasts for its heritage of doors.
This reputation is due both to the quantity of doors referenced (around sixty) and the quality of their conservation, but also to the diversity of form and style of these ancient portals in the historic centre (from the 15th to the 19th centuries).

©Porte ancienne, rue Léopold Monestier à Mende.|OTI Mende

©Porte rue de la Jarretière à Mende|OTI Mende

©Porte Préfecture de Mende, rue de la Rovère|OTI Mende

Visiting Mende

Download brochure, book a guide (info, contacts & rates, …).
Visits for people with disabilities

Guided tours
Self-guided tour
Disabled visitors
Fun discovery

Scheduled guided tours for individuals:

The Tourist Office organises guided tours of the historic centre from June to September and during the school holidays. There’s nothing like a tour guide to help you discover Mende’s heritage from a cultural and friendly angle.

Prices for scheduled “individual” tours:
* Adults & children aged 18 and over: €5
* Children aged 10 to 18: €3
* Children under 10: Free

Visit schedules in July and August

Δ The tour of the old hospital pharmacy is limited to 18 people.
——————————————–
Δ The tour of the bell tower is limited to 12 people. It is forbidden to children under 10 years of age.

Contact the Tourist Office.

Δ Some tours have different prices (night tours, themed tours, etc.).
——————————————–
Δ The Cathedral’s opening hours vary according to the season.

Contact the Tourist Office.

Guided tours by reservation:

You can reserve a guided tour by contacting the Mende Tourist Office.
You benefit from an à la carte tour for which you decide with the guide, the places you wish to discover as well as the day and time of the visit.
The earlier you book, the more likely it is that your guide will be available.

Prices:
* Groups of up to 40 people: €80/group.
* Gour/Mende tour: €80 for the group + €5 per person.
* Weekday mini-group (Monday to Friday): €15 fixed price + €5 per person.
* Weekend mini-group (Saturday & Sunday): €25 fixed price + €5 per person.
* Provision of a guide for a ½ day: €100 / group.
* Provision of a guide for a full day: €160 / group.

Book a guided tour.

Self-guided tour

You are visiting Mende and would like to discover the town and its Cathedral at your own pace and without a guide, you can get a free copy of the brochure “Heritage of Mende” from the Tourist Office.
This brochure will take you on a short 28-stop tour of the town centre and give you the main keys to discovering its cathedral.
“Patrimoine de Mende”

Beware! Some places are only accessible to the public during guided tours (former pharmacy, marriage hall of the town hall, cathedral bell tower, penitent tower, and other little surprises…).

Visit for People with Disabilities.

There are several supports adapted to different types of disability for taking the visit to Mende’s heritage with a auditory, visual, motor or simplified reading disability.

Click to discover the proposals for adapted visits.

Tour of Mende for people with disabilities

©Intérieur de la cathédrale de Mende.Vue sur la nef et le chœur.|C. Nouet - OTI Mende

Fun in the historic centre

With family or friends

Explor GameThe mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan hangs over the town of Mende

EXPLOR GAME: Mende at the heart of the mystery

Treasure huntSet off on a voyage of discovery!

Heads are hidden in the historic centre of Mende.
Brochure available from the Tourist Office or to download.

Headhunters

Visits & Activities

Also worth discovering

The surroundings of Mende

©Le Vallon du Villaret - parc de découverte à ciel ouvert|©Asphéries

Top attractions

Walking

Most beautiful villages of Lozère

Arts, crafts and local markets

©L'office de tourisme de Mende Cœur de Lozère s'engage pour un tourisme plus responsable et compense les émissions CO2 d'une partie de votre séjour en plantant un arbre sur une parcelle forestière du territoire.|cyril duclot

Tourisme responsable

©Étang Bonnecombe C. Nouet 7 2017 (5 Reduit)

Landscapes of Lozère

Castles, churches & megaliths

©table garnie de victuailles avec Saucisses fraîches de pays

The place of the gourmands

©Mende Vue Du Ciel© Mairie|Ville de Mende - 0927 productions

The Causse of Mende

Cycling & mountain biking

Dessin des fortifications de Mende — ©Dessins des remparts en Monochrome Rouge de la ville de Mende (XVII)|Inconnu

Mende history

Feedback from experiences

The beast of Gevaudan

wellness-spa

The Cathedral of Mende

Events calendar

For these holidays, you're more ...

En famille

En duo

Entre copains

Full of ideas
for your stay

Two, family,
friends

Visits, activities,
accommodation, …

Practicalities

The historic centre

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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#mendetourisme #lozere #lozeretourisme

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5 years ago

Instagram #mende

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2 years ago

Instagram #lozere

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5 years ago

Instagram #lozere

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View on Instagram

4 years ago

Instagram #mende

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4 years ago

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Chasing Lights 🕯 #light #mende #southoffrance #chasinglight #happiness #loveit #winter #citycenter #lozere #vieilleville #family #lozeretourisme #rue #night #dark #ruelle #kindofscary

Historic centre of Mende

As you drive through Mende’s historic centre,
you’ll discover a rich, ancient heritage where narrow streets follow charming squares.

Mende, city of bishops in Gévaudan

Mende Cathedral

The must-haves

Pharmacy of the former hospital of Mende

Listen to the radio tour of the pharmacy

House known as the “Ancienne synagogue”
& former Carmelite convent

Hôtel de ville de Mende

The heritage of doors in Mende

Visiting Mende

Download brochure, book a guide (info, contacts & rates, …).
Visits for people with disabilities

Scheduled guided tours for individuals:

Δ The tour of the old hospital pharmacy is limited to 18 people.
——————————————–
Δ The tour of the bell tower is limited to 12 people. It is forbidden to children under 10 years of age.

Contact the Tourist Office.

Δ Some tours have different prices (night tours, themed tours, etc.).
——————————————–
Δ The Cathedral’s opening hours vary according to the season.

Contact the Tourist Office.

Guided tours by reservation:

Self-guided tour

Visit for People with Disabilities.

Fun in the historic centre

Visits & Activities

For these holidays, you're more ...

Full of ideas
for your stay

Practicalities

The historic centre

Mende, city of bishops in Gévaudan

Mende Cathedral

Pharmacy of the former hospital of Mende

Listen to the radio tour of the pharmacy

House known as the “Ancienne synagogue”& former Carmelite convent

Hôtel de ville de Mende

The heritage of doors in Mende

Download brochure, book a guide (info, contacts & rates, …).Visits for people with disabilities

Scheduled guided tours for individuals:

Δ The tour of the old hospital pharmacy is limited to 18 people.——————————————–Δ The tour of the bell tower is limited to 12 people. It is forbidden to children under 10 years of age.

Contact the Tourist Office.

Δ Some tours have different prices (night tours, themed tours, etc.).——————————————–Δ The Cathedral’s opening hours vary according to the season.

Contact the Tourist Office.

Guided tours by reservation:

Self-guided tour

Visit for People with Disabilities.

Fun in the historic centre

For these holidays, you're more ...

Full of ideasfor your stay

House known as the “Ancienne synagogue”
& former Carmelite convent

Download brochure, book a guide (info, contacts & rates, …).
Visits for people with disabilities

Δ The tour of the old hospital pharmacy is limited to 18 people.
——————————————–
Δ The tour of the bell tower is limited to 12 people. It is forbidden to children under 10 years of age.

Δ Some tours have different prices (night tours, themed tours, etc.).
——————————————–
Δ The Cathedral’s opening hours vary according to the season.

Full of ideas
for your stay