They glide at hundreds of meters altitude, wings motionless, with a wingspan that can exceed two meters seventy. In the Grands Causses and the Pyrénées, the vultures of Occitanie form one of the most impressive natural spectacles in southern France. These birds are accessible to any hiker, without the need for special equipment or gear. To understand the significance of vultures in Occitanie today, it's necessary to look back at history. At the start of the 20th century, these scavenger raptors were nearly wiped out in France, due to direct persecution and the scarcity of carcasses in pastures. By the 1930s, the black vulture had completely disappeared from the Grands Causses. Everything changed in 1981, in the gorge of the Jonte, between Aveyron and Lozère. The first black vultures were released in the Caussenard cliffs, marking the first worldwide reintroduction program for the species. This effort has been successful: today, more than 820 breeding pairs live in the Grands Causses alone, with several hundred more in the Pyrénées and other reintroduction areas. Four species now coexist in these valleys. The black vulture, by far the most numerous, is the first to arrive at carcasses to consume the flesh. The bearded vulture, a large, solitary bird with dark feathers, feeds on tendons and cartilage. The griffon vulture, a migrant with black and white plumage, scrapes the remains. The bearded vulture, reintroduced to the Causses in 2012, arrives last to swallow the bones, sometimes breaking them by dropping them from the air. For guaranteed observation, the gorge of the Jonte remains a top destination. The site is located in the cliffs between Le Rozier and Meyrueis, at the border of Aveyron and Lozère, about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Toulouse by car via the A75. The Vulture House, situated in a three-level building designed to blend with the rocky wall, offers a completely renovated museum, a screening room with footage captured by cameras placed directly in the cliffs, and an observation terrace equipped with binoculars. From this vantage point, the birds are visible almost constantly during the good season, especially since butchering areas have been set up nearby to facilitate their feeding and observation. The entrance fee is 7.90€ for adults. The Vulture House is open until November 1, 2026, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Two free parking lots are available outside. Autumn is considered a prime time, perhaps the best for enthusiasts. Vultures are still present in the Causses in October, especially since the young of the year, born in spring, begin to explore the territory. Sunny mornings favor activity, as vultures wait for thermals—columns of warm air that allow them to glide without expending energy. Around 10 am to 11 am on sunny days, activity is generally at its peak. Observing vultures does not require being an ornithologist. A pair of binoculars is sufficient, and the Vulture House provides binoculars on the terrace. Guides on-site explain how to distinguish the four species by their silhouette and flight patterns. Many visitors are unaware that vultures can be identified from a distance by the way they carry their wings—flat for the black vulture, slightly raised in a V for the bearded vulture. For those who prefer to stay on the Aude side, a second observatory has been established at the foot of the cliff of the Falconnière, at Bugarach, within a sensitive natural area of the department. Access is free and open all year round, with educational panels on site. The LPO Aude regularly organizes guided tours there, especially during the International Vulture Day in September. From Toulouse, the cliff of Bugarach is less than an hour and a half away by car. While the number of individuals visible is less than in the Causses, the site is well suited for a first-time visit.