Chartreuse de Valbonne cycle discovery loop

This itinerary is a real escape to discover the majestic Chartreuse de Valbonne, an ancient monastery founded by the Carthusian Order in 1204, listed as a historic monument and set in the heart of an atypical 1,500-hectare forest.

Level: medium

Additional information:
Further information on the route is available from our Destination Provence Occitane Tourist Offices, on our website or in our cycling map.
Maintaining, informing and promoting nature trails is everyone’s business. So remember to do the right thing for the environment, and get out and about in Provence Occitane.

Parking near the Town Hall of St-Paulet-de-Caisson, where local shops and services are available to quench your thirst before you set off on your journey. Also on site, discover the heritage of the town, including its 18th-century church.

The loop starts in front of the Town Hall and goes around the village clockwise towards the cooperative winery. Pass to the left of the winery to join a small communal path for several kilometres towards Julien de Peyrolas. Halfway along this small country road, you will pass the 12th-century St Agnès Chapel. We recommend stopping here to admire, contemplate and visit this monument and its natural surroundings.
Resume the route by turning right after the chapel, then left to rejoin the small country lane. Continue along this road until you reach the junction with the RD343, which connects to the village of St Julien de Peyrolas.
After following this road for about 800 metres and passing a bridge, turn left onto the small hill towards the village that you can see in the distance. You will arrive at St Julien de Peyrolas, where we recommend taking a break to discover its heritage and exceptional views of the Rhône valley, the Ardèche gorges, the Southern Alps and Mont Ventoux.

Please note: nearby, towards Ardèche (opposite the route of the loop), Aiguèze (listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages), Accroche-aventure and Swing-Roller leisure parks, and St-Martin-d’Ardèche, descent of the Ardèche Gorges, canoeing and swimming.

Resume the route towards the village of Salazac, taking the RD141 which climbs to the right of the wash house for several kilometres, offering a magnificent view of the Rhône Valley upon arrival. This small medieval village is located between Cèze and Ardèche, where its ramparts and 11th-century Romanesque church with a fortified bell tower make it the first foothills of the Cévennes.
Continue the route and descend for several kilometres through the woods of the Cèze Valley towards the village of St-Laurent-de-Carnols. At the end of this descent, take a small tarmac road on the left 1 km after crossing a bridge on a bend in the RD141. Continue straight on to the village centre. At the small roundabout, turn left to reach the village centre. Take a short break to discover its heritage, church and wash house in the village centre, its wine cellar and local producers.

Resume the route towards St-Paulet-de-Caisson via the other entrance to La Chartreuse, where a slight climb will take you back to the D23. Head towards Pont-St-Esprit. After several kilometres of descent, turn left just after the bend lined with a stone wall and take the Gavanon path. All that remains is to finish the walk through the woods to reach the village of St-Paulet-de-Caisson. You will arrive on the RD343, turn right to reach the village centre.

Level: medium

Additional information:
Further information on the route is available from our Destination Provence Occitane Tourist Offices, on our website or in our cycling map.
Maintaining, informing and promoting nature trails is everyone’s business. So remember to do the right thing for the environment, and get out and about in Provence Occitane.

Distance: 28 km, 3 hours. Average gradient: 4.5% (400 m elevation gain/loss). Moderate, undulating terrain. Suitable for families with extensive cycling experience, on shared public roads and local tracks.
A day trip.
Towns passed through: St-Paulet-de-Caisson, St-Julien-de-Peyrolas, Salazac, St-Laurent-de-Carnols.

Parking near the Town Hall of St-Paulet-de-Caisson, where local shops and services are available to quench your thirst before you set off on your journey. Also on site, discover the heritage of the town, including its 18th-century church.

The loop starts in front of the Town Hall and goes around the village clockwise towards the cooperative winery. Pass to the left of the winery to join a small communal path for several kilometres towards Julien de Peyrolas. Halfway along this small country road, you will pass the 12th-century St Agnès Chapel. We recommend stopping here to admire, contemplate and visit this monument and its natural surroundings.
Resume the route by turning right after the chapel, then left to rejoin the small country lane. Continue along this road until you reach the junction with the RD343, which connects to the village of St Julien de Peyrolas.
After following this road for about 800 metres and passing a bridge, turn left onto the small hill towards the village that you can see in the distance. You will arrive at St Julien de Peyrolas, where we recommend taking a break to discover its heritage and exceptional views of the Rhône valley, the Ardèche gorges, the Southern Alps and Mont Ventoux.

Please note: nearby, towards Ardèche (opposite the route of the loop), Aiguèze (listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages), Accroche-aventure and Swing-Roller leisure parks, and St-Martin-d’Ardèche, descent of the Ardèche Gorges, canoeing and swimming.

Resume the route towards the village of Salazac, taking the RD141 which climbs to the right of the wash house for several kilometres, offering a magnificent view of the Rhône Valley upon arrival. This small medieval village is located between Cèze and Ardèche, where its ramparts and 11th-century Romanesque church with a fortified bell tower make it the first foothills of the Cévennes.
Continue the route and descend for several kilometres through the woods of the Cèze Valley towards the village of St-Laurent-de-Carnols. At the end of this descent, take a small tarmac road on the left 1 km after crossing a bridge on a bend in the RD141. Continue straight on to the village centre. At the small roundabout, turn left to reach the village centre. Take a short break to discover its heritage, church and wash house in the village centre, its wine cellar and local producers.

Resume the route towards St-Paulet-de-Caisson via the other entrance to La Chartreuse, where a slight climb will take you back to the D23. Head towards Pont-St-Esprit. After several kilometres of descent, turn left just after the bend lined with a stone wall and take the Gavanon path. All that remains is to finish the walk through the woods to reach the village of St-Paulet-de-Caisson. You will arrive on the RD343, turn right to reach the village centre.

All year round daily.

Free access.

• Cycle tourism route
• Cycling sports