Lirac and the Sainte Baume
Before getting in the saddle for this pleasant mountain bike loop, take the time to discover Lirac. This pretty village has managed to preserve the evidence of its past, that which underlines its authenticity and makes it so charming: the heart of the village with its fountain, its houses with rich details, the old lime kiln, or its 10th century church revealing a low church with painted frescos. By taking the path that leads to the Sainte Baume, you will be enchanted by the architecture of the large remarkable wash house that shelters the resurgence of the Nizon. Head towards the natural site of the Sainte Baume: "balme" meaning "cave" in Provençal, the history of this place begins in 1647 when Joseph Queyranne, an inhabitant of Lirac, found in this cave a statuette of the Virgin, which would have cured him of the epilepsy from which he suffered. This act, considered a miracle, gave rise to the erection of a chapel, Joseph having made a vow to live as a hermit in the cave. Since 1712, this place has attracted many sick people who came to ask the Virgin for healing. Guided tours explain the chapel, the cistern and the vaulted room that make up the Hermitage. From Lirac, follow the "Montée du Perradier" and take the "Chemin de Vacquières".
The vineyard of Lirac
The southernmost crus of the Rhone Valley, the wines of Lirac have been making a name for themselves since antiquity. Available in three colours, the wines of Lirac have a strong character, making them richly atypical. It is thanks to the different terroirs of the four Gard communes hosting the vineyard that powerful, structured, aromatic and elegant wines are born. This typicality has earned them PDO recognition since 1947. In order to understand the richness of these soils, there is nothing better than the Lirac Winegrowers' Paths. Two loops are available, one rather family-friendly (4 km), going from the Nizon valley to the Plane plateau, the other, longer (5.5 km), linking the terraces of Lirac to the garrigue, passing by the Château de Segriès. Between the garrigue, the arid land bathed in sunshine and the mistral wind, explore the work of these women and men who, by tradition and passion, cultivate the typicality of their terroirs to give its purest expression to the wines of Lirac. Complete these trails with a playful and tasty stop at the Caveau des Vignerons.
Panorama on Tavel and its vineyard
Between stones and vines, Tavel is a charming southern village overlooking the Rhône. Its heritage reveals its historical past: its Saint-Pierre church, its fountain, its Saint-Féréol chapel, its wash house and the Jardins district are all Tavel's treasures to discover. Tavel is known for its limestone and siliceous stone, a marble stone ranging from ivory to blue and pinkish beige. Known as "the Tavel marble", this stone takes the polish perfectly and catches the light. Camille Claudel liked to work with this stone, and it is also said that part of the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York is carved in Tavel stone. A reputation that echoes that of its famous rosé wine. It is said to be an unclassifiable wine. From this exceptional terroir, a mosaic of slate, pebbles, sand and gravel, this unique rosé wine draws its subtle flavours. AOP wine produced in the communes of Tavel and Roquemaure, it can be consumed all year round, adapting its sweet, spicy or full-bodied fragrances to all the cuisines of the world. To discover this vineyard in all intimacy, initiate yourself on the Route des vignobles, a route of about fifteen kilometres criss-crossing the heart of the Tavel terroirs. Your route will let you enjoy breathtaking views of this famous Tavel vineyard.
Turn right onto the Chemin du Bouscairol, then turn left onto the Chemin du Boulidou, passing the signposts for
the Motagne and the Quart du Roy. Continue on your right on "La Combe de la Figuière" and join the beacon "Matousine" and "Le Roc Rouge".Castle of Saint-Victor la Coste
You won't be able to miss it! Located in the heart of the Tave valley, the village of Saint-Victor La Coste displays its powerful castle on a rocky outcrop. This 12th century citadel, home of the Lords of Sabran, protects the old village and its ramparts from the past. From your mountain bike route, take the time to observe the Tour de l'Oume to the east, the Poterne controlling the entrance to the village, the median tower and the Sunset tower, punctuating the remains of the rampart and its covered way. The top of the hill reveals a second enclosure from which the keep springs. Finally, the inner courtyard preserves a large vaulted room and the beginning of a spiral staircase in Tavien sandstone, as well as a Romanesque chapel. Go back to your route, and, at the signpost "La Font du Loup", take the right-hand hairpin turn to reach "La Plaine de Sabran" then "La Clavelade".
Listed heritage of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres
On the road to Santiago de Compostela, the medieval village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres is a charming place with an exceptional heritage, classified as a Historic Monument. On the right bank of the Rhône, the rectangular keep and its fortified church give the village a fortress-like appearance. Its admirable fortified church dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The Romanesque church, built on a Latin cross plan, was erected under the name of Saint-Laurent and was fitted with a defensive structure in the 14th century. Its architecture is typical of Provencal Romanesque art and makes this monument, listed as a Historic Monument, a sublime stopover on the Romanesque routes of south-west France. The Jacques Deuze Tower, known as the Donjon, reaches a height of 25 metres. This imposing 12th century monument houses a spiral staircase serving three floors, and opening access to the roof of the tower where the 360 ° panorama is memorable. Not far from there, the Ribas Tower completes this fortified complex. Also from the Romanesque period, the tower nestles its imposing architecture in the shade of centuries-old cedars. The Ribas Tower houses a remarkable model representing the town in the Middle Ages. After admiring the village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, take the left-hand hairpin bend on "le Chemin de la Vaussières" and go through "Les Sallet" "Ségriès" "Caveau des Vignerons", then "Les Jardins" before returning to your departure point.
