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Decline of the Region

When the chestnut and silk industries failed, many of the Cevenese could no longer survive and the exodus began. Rather than emigrating to Australia, the United States or Canada, the people tended to move to the coalmining area around Alès, in the southeast, at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Between 1846 and 1896 the population of this area tripled, but the age of prosperity was short-lived, and one by one the mines closed. Many of the population then moved to other areas such as Marseilles and Montpellier.

Traditional beehives made of chestnut logs at Moulin des Geminards (Walk 29)

The First World War is the main reason why the Cevennes became one of the least populated areas of France. Because there was no work for the young men they signed up in droves and died likewise. During these years the population declined drastically, as in some villages all the young men were killed, leaving women and children to survive as best they could. Many of the villages were abandoned and remain in ruins to the present day. The Second World War had a less catastrophic effect, and the decline in population was only 10 per cent. In fact, during this period the area became a place of refuge, harbouring many exiles including Jews, who were fleeing persecution; the wild isolated areas of the Cevennes made a good hiding place. The Resistance (Le Maquis) played a role in dispersing and hiding the exiles in isolated villages and farms, the farmers being glad to have extra help with no questions asked!