L'ALTIER

The Altier originates under the summit of Finiels, the highest point of the department of Lozère with its 1699 m, in the heart of Mont-Lozère, in granite terrain.

After descending the slopes of Mont Lozère, it follows a valley steeped in schist, before flowing after 30 km, into the Bayard-Villefort reservoir, which is home to enormous trout, some of which swim up the course of the Altier for a few kilometres at spawning time. The granitic pebbles offer many hiding places for the numerous trout whose average size reaches 25 to 28 cm on the downstream course, for minnows, and also for large gudgeons. A large population of chub from the reservoir is present but is limited to the immediate upstream part of the reservoir.

The Altier is classified in 1st category.