Circuit N°12 - 80 kms
From Ligne river to Ardèche
river
VINEZAC
: 250 m. Fortified medieval village. Prehistoric
ruins can be seen at La Queirier quarter, several
dolmens, standing stones and prints of various
dimensions. The largest ones are called "cuves de
vinage" and are thought to have served for wine
making. In the bed of the river La Lande were found
twelve platters lined up as to form an arrow. They
give rise to many interpretations.
Also to be seen are the numerous historic "capitelles"
or "bories" small stone constructions. The village
has kept a well-attested medieval character. The
romanesque church, remarkable for its nice dome. Six
hundred years later it is still possible to
recognize certain parts of the Castrum walls and the
gates, etc... said to be the enclosure walls of the
village.
CHASSIERS
: 300 m. Medieval houses. The Romanesque St Benoit’s
chapel of the 12th c and the 14th c St Hilaire’s
parish church with its 53 m spire are worth a visit.
La Mothe castle and la Vernade castle. Very fine
view at Montcouquiol Combes. Extensive view over
Largentière and the Ligne valley.
CHAZEAUX
: 470 m. Ste Philomène Mountain. Ste Philomène
Chapel which has recently been renovated is
accessible by forest paths. Honey making.
PRUNET
: 590 m. Small picturesque village. 12th c
Romanesque church. The Croix de Millets pass,
beautiful wooded site, beautiful view over the
Tanargue and the Lignon Valley.
ROCHER
: 353 m. Village situated in the midst of a
mountainous cirque. Banks of the Ligne river. 19th c
church. The Ranc Courbier Virgin, beautiful
panoramic view.
ROCLES
: 480 m. 19th c church. St Regis Romanesque Chapel.
Tourist route of the Brison tower. The Gorges of La
Beaume.
JOANNAS
: 400 m. Village clinging to one of the last
foothills of the Tanargue Mounts, la Cham du Cros.
The parish of Joannas is very old, probably dating
back to the 6th or 7th c. All that now remains of
the church erected in the 12th c is the nave. The
chancel was rebuilt and the steeple was replaced by
a tower. The castle is a square feudal buiding with
renaissance style towers, a courtyard and vaulted
rooms. The donjon is a big square tower. The vaulted
room on the groundfloor is open to the public. "Le
Travers" Hamlet. Feudal Castel of Logères under
restoration.
TAURIERS
: 453 m. Ancient village. Feudal castle -private
property- the construction of which dates back to
the 10th c, listed as a historic monument. Ruins of
the "3 Clochers" Chapel.
SANILHAC
: 450 m. Sights: Versas I5th c castle –private- with
its Renaissance façade and its octogonal tower.
Brison Tower: ancient Romanesque tower with motives.
Viewing table, 19th c church. La Chapelette chapel
in Romanesque style.
MONTRÉAL
: 300 m. Perched village. 13th c castle: visit and
activities, high donjons, Renaissance inner
courtyard with sculptured galleries. Ancient houses.
Church of the 19th c. Dolmens. Silver and lead
mines. Lovely view over the valley. In summertime,
exhibitions and concerts in the Castle.
LARGENTIERE
: 220 m. Owes its name to the silver mines exploited
from the 10th c to the 15th c by the Earls of
Toulouse and the bishops of Viviers. Also former
lead mines. Medieval town with its picturesque
alleyways lined with old houses. Ruined fortified
enclosure : the Récollets' gate and square towers.
The castle of the 12th c and 14th c. The town hall
is a splendid building. Church dating back to the
12th – 13th c and 14th c. The law courts in the neo-Grecian
style dominate the city. Belvedere. The Ligne
Gorges. Guided tour of the city with the Tourist
Office.
LAURAC-EN-VIVARAIS
: 192 m. Medieval village perched on a sandstone
rocky spur. Tortuous and vaulted picturesque
alleyways. Ancient Houses. Composite church with a
Romanesque Apse. 12th c tower. Saracen chimneys.
Wooded hills to the west and the garrigue lands of
the limestone plateaux to the east.
UZER
: 146 m. In the heart of the village you will see a
castle which once belonged to the Chalendard family.
19th c church. Ancient Bridge.
Gallo-Roman tombs were discovered on the "Gras"
hills dominating the village. Banks of the Landes
and of the Ligne rivers. Tourist route leading to
Balazuc.
CHAUZON
: 180 m. Old picturesque village alongside the
Ardèche with old houses with galleries and archs,
vaulted alleyways. "Gens" cirque. Numerous dolmens
