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A hike in the region Languedoc-Roussillon
This hike, which starts in the village of Aiguèze, goes up to the rock of Castelviel, running on the heights of the last meanders of the Gorges of Ardèche. From there, you will overlook the hills of Gard, and farther, towards Vaucluse, the mountain Ventoux. Thanks to its location and heritage, the village of Aiguèze was ranked among the Most beautiful Villages of France.
1- From the church place, go to right and take the street along the river. Turn left on Rue de l'Escale, then right on the street of Combes. At the end, turn to the right and go to the track in front of you.
2- Take the track. Walk past the cross of Gier (panorama on the Ardèche Gorges). Leaving a track to the left, continue up to reach the second crossing.
3- Turn to the left road and continue up to the barn of the Marcello.
4- Continue on the path opposite. Leave two tracks on your left and go to the next intersection.
5- Take the right track and go up to the rock of Castelviel. After the bend, continue up to an intersection. Take the left track to get back to the section beginning.
6- Same section as the fourth one, but in opposite direction.
7- Take the left path. Go to the next intersection and take the track opposite. At the next crossing, take the left track and continue straight ahead up to the road.
8- At the road, turn to the left. In the entrance of the village, take the right street and continue until coming back to the starting point.
Information
General points
- Geographic situation. District : Aiguèze
(department Gard, canton Pont-Saint-Esprit)
Road map with
 - Starting point : Church place in Aiguèze.
- The length of the stroll is estimated at 8 Km and the walk duration is about 3 h .
- The stroll is marked out all along
- Stroll form : dual (one part as a loop, the other one linear)
- Stroll relief : hilly (alt. mini = 90 m ; alt. maxi = 280 m)
- Maintenance : frequent (brushwood clearing at least annual)
- Exposure : varied (both covered and uncovered areas)
Events and information
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Worth seeing.
A picturesque market takes place every Thursday morning in summer, and a famous medieval festival is held in July.
Noteworthy places
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Aiguèze. The village of Aiguèze stands out on a steep cliff at the beginning of Ardèche Gorges. Very early the village was doted with a fortress. During the Middle Ages it was the scene of peasant revolts against powerful lords. You will be charmed by the narrow cobbled streets lined with beautiful houses. A stroll in this village permits to discover a rich heritage: the old oil mill, the laundry, the castle and its Saracen tower, the remaining ramparts, and the church restored at the beginning of the XXth century. This church has a portal classified Historic Monument. On the covered way, you will enjoy a wonderful view over the Ardèche Gorges and the suspension bridge of Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. Far off, it is possible to distinguish the Mont Ventoux. Since June 2005, Aiguèze is classified as one of Most beautiful Villages in France. This place proposes a wide range of leisure activities: hiking, canoeing, kayaking, etc.
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Castelviel. Castelviel is the site of an ancien oppidum. From the Roman fortification, it remains still some stones.
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La Garrigue. A part of the excursion takes place along the vineyards and terraces planted with olive trees. You will find on the way plants of the "garrigue" (the French word for mediterranean scrubland): cade juniper, white-leaf rock-rose, Phoenician juniper, boxwood, rosemary, and wild lavandin.
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Panoramas. The stroll offers remarkable points of view of the village of Aiguèze, but also the village of Martinmas, hills of the southern Ardèche, Ardèche gorges, Rhone valley, and as far as Baronnies in clear wheather conditions.
Maps
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Carto Exploreur 07 Sud, IGN 2939 OT.
Bibliography
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Entre Cèze et Ardèche, le massif forestier de la Valbonne. (Office de Tourisme de Valcèzard).
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