The population fell sharply following the closure of the mines and the decline in agricultural activity.
However, since 1970 there has been a steady increase, from 113 at that time to 219 in 2004.

The Council hopes to see this tendency continue, and works constantly to encourage new residents, by ensuring that they find a renovated architectural heritage combined with a carefully preserved natural environment.

The Municipal Council

The Council promotes and directs the public life of the district, and through its delegated representatives participates in the “inter-communal” management of the area.

The current members of the Council are:

Bernard AGULHON, Michelle ALLEMAND, Guy FLOURET, Nathalie JORDY, Gérard LEGROS (Mayor), Monique MANIFACIER (1st Deputy Mayor), Roger MENETRIER, Marie-José NICOLAS, Gérard POLGE (3rd Deputy Mayor), Francis TILLAULT (2nd Deputy Mayor), Michel VOLLE.

Sénéchas town hall

The members of Senechas local council (Click on the photo to enlarge)

"La Communauté de Communes des Hautes Cévennes"
 The Upper Cévennes Inter-communal Council.

The Inter-communal Council is made up of 9 "communes" - district councils in the Génolhac area, and fulfils the functions below:

Economic development

Tourism (Tourist Bureau), operations for bringing the housing stock up to date, renewable energy and sustainable development. A forest charter is in progress.

Environment and Amenity

Collection and disposal of household waste. Fire protection (DFCI).

Cultural development

In cooperation with the Gard Departmental Council, the Council regularly offers the inhabitants various kinds of quality entertainment (theatre, music, story-tellers). There are also cinema shows every month at Le Chambon, Chamborigaud and Génolhac.

The Syndicates

The Sénéchas Council participates in various syndicates: the SIVOM, (roads, water, sewerage etc), the SITOM (rehabilitation of the former municipal rubbish tip), the SIE (rural electrification), the syndicate for the “College” - secondary school (canteen and school transport), the Syndicate for television and mobile telephones, and the SIDEFOCIM (the fire protection forest access tracks).

Tourism in Sénéchas

Tourists seeking  peace and calm combined with leisure activities appreciate Sénéchas because they can find in the area a mix of cultural and sporting resources, and a fine natural and built environment.

The numerous rural “gites” make attractive places to stay, where they can either  just relax and swim, or go off on the  many interesting day-trips all around.

Swimming in the Cèze

A Fete at Sénéchas

The Cévennes National Park is an essential element of our region’s tourism and cultural life. With its annual “Nature Festival”, the Cévennes nature Park offers a large choice of visits organised round themes of nature or tradition.
Sites not to be missed are the “Mas de la Barque”, the Pont de Montvert and Mas Camargue Ecomuseums.
Both residents and tourists can enjoy the many  summer events, the village Fetes, the plays and concerts, the shows and exhibitions put on by the various local associations.

Professional activity in Sénéchas

There are various craft and agricultural enterprises operating within the Council’s area, from farming and forestry to  building, carpentry, a sawmill and even bee-keeping.

Various examples can be shown:

Naturally curved beams

Timber brings strength and beauty to your house

The Cebelieu “Mas” - farm

An  agricultural enterprise which transforms its own production (mainly lamb, pork, veal and poultry) and sells it at the Saint Ambroix, Bessèges and Génolhac markets.

Mas Cébelieu

Le village

30450 Sénéchas - (Tel 04 66 61 19  75)

A young Sénéchas farmer calling in his flock

The transformation laboratory in full activity

Goat-keeping

The goats are raised under natural conditions.

The famous Cévennes goat’s cheese known as the “Pélardon” is produced here, and sold at the Bessèges, Chamborigaud and Génolhac markets.

Catherine Diumenge
Le village - 30450 Sénéchas
(Tel/Fax 04 66 61 13 03)

Where the goats live and where the Pélardons are produced

Scene at the market