Explore the valley that time forgot
Life in the Cèze Valley has continued as if caught in a time warp. Sandwiched between the Ardeche to the north and the Gardon to the south, Cezarenque has a unique charm and status as the valley that time forgot.
Cèze Valley Walking is, in our opinion, one of the best short walking tours France has to offer. It sees you getting close to the source of the river Cèze and well acquainted with some beautiful countryside on the eastern flank of the Cevennes and Mont Lozere. Late sixties hippies have built alternative lifestyles here, and wooden solar-powered eco-homes inhabit the same valley as the typical stone 'mas', many of which are still bereft of running water.
Fact File:
Please click through the following points or scroll down the page. Alternatively, click the flyer image below to download and read the tour in pdf format.
a) Theme
When it comes to walking tours France's Cèze Valley is special: one of our Operations Manager’s favourite spots for walking holidays. It is the chance to immerse yourself in a charming rural world of isolated homesteads and ‘alternative’ farming. Don’t bring your laptop, this is a ‘Broadband-free zone’ and hillwalking paradise. There is, however, at least emergency mobile network coverage for that extra peace of mind - although you are likely to have the phone turned off to maximise your enjoyment and keep 'normal life'at bay!
As if untouched by time, you have the opportunity to visit the only surviving chestnut-drying house still functioning in France; an organic farm and an organic wine grower of ‘illegal’ Clinton grapes, whose wine still cannot be sold commercially; a water mill being meticulously restored, and search some of France’s purest river waters for cray fish. The imposing Cheylard castle is never far away, keeping a watchful eye from its hilltop vantage point.
Some sixties hippies settled in the area and established alternative lifestyles amidst a movement to re-populate rural villages. Their products are on sale in many of the Valley's markets. Optional activities on Cèze Valley Walking include the chance to visit Le Chateau Cheylard (restricted opening), visit an organic farm or an organic wine grower of ‘illegal' Clinton grapes (by arrangement) or visit La Clede - a chestnut- drying house.
b) Further Information
- For a 7-night hiking tour of the same theme, see Walking the Ceze Valley.
- Other walking tours France has to offer nearby are:
c) Model Programme: Cèze Valley Walking
Day 1. Alès
Arrive in Nimes by air or by rail¹. Take The Cevenol from Nimes to Ales. Check in to centrally-located hotel and a short walk around the town.
Night in Alès.
Day 2. Aujaguet - [9.5 miles-14 kms, approx. 5 hrs, +425 ms -435 ms]
Transfer to Aujac, check in followed by a memorable walk that takes you across a dam, various bridges, past a water mill, into the water itself (optional swim), through two very different villages, to an organic farm, a recently-restored church and all under the watchful gaze of the imposing castle of Cheylard.
Night in Aujac.
Day 3. La Cham Bonnevaux. [9 miles-13 kms, approx. 5 hrs, +570 ms -315 ms]
You are higher up today walking some ancient drovers’ trails and enjoying some fabulous views. You will start by climbing a steep marble-coated path, level off to enjoy the view before plunging into a pine forest, descending into a forgotten hamlet and then, rather unexpectedly, extending yourself once again – but its well worth it - in order to reach the village of Bonnevaux. Is this the smallest 'Marie' in France?
Second night in Aujac.
Day 4. The Crest of the Waves. [10 miles-15 kms, approx. 5½ hrs, +380 ms -710 ms]
This route follows the watershed as you descend 700 metres to Bordezac and back to Besseges along the Cevenol and Upper Ceze Valley GRPs.
Night in Besseges
Day 5. End of your hiking tour
Transfer to Ales after breakfast.
¹ Option by car, leaving vehicle in enclosed parking near Ales at owner’s risk.
d) Access
This Ceze Valley tour starts and finishes in Ales. Joining this walking break is easy and convenient from either Nimes airport or railway station, with onward train to Ales (40 mins). Access via Avignon, Marseille or Montpellier airports or SNCF are the next best alternatives.
For those wishing to bring their own car, you can leave your car in Ales in an enclosed private parking space at owner's risk. Please ask us for details.
Note: we can collect you from either Nimes airport or SNCF station for even quicker access.
e) Accommodation
4-night's hiking in France: CèzeValley Walking
You stay:
- One night in Ales
- Two nights in Aujac
- One night in Besseges
Your accommodation is:
or upgrade to
- a 3-star gite for family or mini-group stays - not available in July or August. Please ask for details.
Note: accommodation options may vary according to the season.
f) What's included in Cèze Valley Walking
Included
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4 nights B & B
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2 dinners and 3 picnic lunches - leaving you free to choose your evening meals in Ales & Besseges
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All travel/transport and luggage transfers that are integral to the programme, commencing and terminating in Ales
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Pre-tour briefing
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For those bringing their own car, enclosed private parking is available in Ales*
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Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
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Themed vacation dossier
- Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup
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Loan of mobile phone where required - subject to availability.
* parking is at owner's risk.
Not included
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Any other meals - Ales & Besseges offer options for evening meals according to your preferences
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Any entrances to optional cultural visits and sightseeing programme
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Travel, walking and personal insurance
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Personal expenses
g) Prices: 2010 walking holidays in France: Cèze Valley Walking
Price per person based on 2 persons £395.00 or €460.00
sharing double room
Single person rate POA