Vigneronne cycle discovery loop

A stroll through landscapes marked by vineyards, Gallo-Roman ruins, the fortified village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres with its feudal keep and Ribas tower, and the fortified castle of Castellas in Saint-Victor-la-Coste.

Parking near the village centre, close to the post office, bank and other parking on Rue Albert André below the street that descends to the left opposite the post office (close to schools and the police station).
In Laudun, you can enjoy its rich heritage: the majestic 16th-century parish church of Notre-Dame-la-Neuve, art galleries, the archaeological site of Camp de César and many other monuments; its beautiful surroundings: the botanical garden and Les Halles Planchon market, and the view over the vast wine-growing estate; its local amenities: restaurants, shops, accommodation, etc.

Please note: 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment located in L’Ardoise, hiking trails.

The loop begins in front of the post office, where you turn left onto Rue Albert André, passing in front of the schools, police station and car park. After a few metres, turn left towards Orsan. Continue for a few kilometres on this road called Route d’Alès. After going straight ahead at the crossroads, still towards Orsan, take the first right at the give way sign to go down Rue Jean Bouin. At the end of this street, cross the bridge over the small Tave stream and take the small path open only to pedestrians and cyclists passing under the RD240 bridge. Be careful of the water during bad weather! At the exit of the passage under the bridge, turn right towards the campsite. Continue along the path that takes you out of the village, turn right at the end, then left towards the greenway. After a few kilometres, you will arrive at this greenway (former railway line) through the vineyards. Turn left.

At the end of this greenway, turn right onto the RD121 and continue for a few kilometres to reach St-Laurent-des-Arbres. After travelling several kilometres through the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône Gardoise, take the first road on the left, Chemin de la Planque, for a few kilometres, then the first on the right to take Chemin de St-Maurice, which will take you to the centre of the village of St-Laurent-de-Arbres. We recommend stopping off to discover the village’s rich heritage: its rectangular keep and fortified church, which give it the appearance of a fortress, its wash house and the Ribas Tower. This Languedoc village surrounded by vineyards has also been well known for decades for its Lirac appellation, a Côtes du Rhône cru. Other local services and shops will allow you to extend your stay.

The route continues along the RD101 towards Pouzilhac. Leave the village of St-Laurent-des-Arbres and continue for several kilometres along a hilly road to reach St-Victor-la-Coste. At the first intersection, turn left towards the village centre and continue for a few more kilometres. You will arrive at the village centre, where the town hall is dominated in the background by a high rocky peak, on which stands the imposing fortified castle of Le Castellas and the old village dating back to the Middle Ages. You can discover a rich heritage: the remains of a Roman road, the late 11th-century Mayran hermitage, the 11th- and 12th-century St Martin chapel, the late 17th-century parish church, the twin ancient wash houses and the 19th-century Savoir fountain. Also on site, hiking trails, fitness trails, shops and local services will allow you to extend your stay.

The route resumes from the village square, heading towards Laudun on the RD240 downhill road. Pass the school on your left and turn right immediately after the inter-communal nursery school onto Route du Claux. Then take the third road on the left, Chemin de Cannes. Continue straight ahead to leave the village, crossing the RD145 (be careful at the stop sign). Continue along this same road through the countryside until you find yourself in the middle of the vineyards. Continue straight ahead. After a few kilometres, you will have to cross the RD240 to join a dirt/gravel track that is perfectly passable by car. Stop before the intersection! Continue along this track until the end and turn right twice onto the communal road to join the greenway that will take you back to Laudun. Be careful on this greenway, as you will cross the RD240 again. Stop at the stop sign. After several kilometres, halfway along this greenway, you can rejoin the route to reach the centre of Laudun via the campsite.

Please note: close to the Rhône Valley cycle touring loop starting from Codolet (see description).

All year round daily.

Free access.

• Cycle tourism route
• Cycling sports