Four rounded arches stacked above a stream that flows intermittently, wall paintings uncovered during interior renovations, and several signposted walking trails give Aigaliers a distinctive character. The area can be explored through a range of themes: religious architecture, buildings from different periods, and walking trails. You can therefore decide whether to focus your trip on churches and historic buildings or give greater weight to the walking trails.
Church and bridge: the history of Aigaliers’ buildings
Notre-Dame de Gattigues is a 12th-century church associated with the Congregation of La Chaise-Dieu. Colourful, naïve-style wall paintings came to light during interior renovations in the 1990s. The church’s history thus brings together its medieval origins and an artistic detail discovered much later. Notre-Dame de Gattigues is still used for religious services and occasionally hosts cultural events. If you are planning to attend an event, check the specific dates before your trip.
Le Pont de Bourdiguet dates from the 18th century. It connects the hamlets of Bourdiguet and Le Chabian and spans the stream of the same name, which flows intermittently, with four rounded arches stacked one above the other.
Washhouse and historic sites
The Le Sauzil washhouse was built around 1865 on the road to Marignac. As a washhouse, it adds a different type of building to the church and bridge. Together, these structures illustrate different periods: Notre-Dame de Gattigues dates from the 12th century, Le Pont de Bourdiguet from the 18th century, and Le Sauzil from around 1865.
Le Castellas stands on a rocky outcrop behind the old village of Aigaliers. It is a former 12th-century fortress, now in ruins. The ruins are dangerous, and visiting without taking the usual precautions is not recommended. Like Notre-Dame de Gattigues, Le Castellas dates from the 12th century.
The Oppidum de la Dame de Bruyès is in the northern part of the flattened summit; seven concentric walls surround the hill on its southern side. The concentric layout can be understood as several rings of walls sharing a common centre. This describes two areas of the hill: the northern part with the oppidum and the rings of walls on the southern side.
Walking trails and trip planning
Aigaliers has several signposted walking trails. A map of the walking routes is available from the Uzès tourist office and newsagents. It provides a practical starting point for reviewing the routes before a day’s walk and planning which ones to choose. Alongside the buildings, this offers a distinct focus that is easy to plan for.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Bonnet-Du-Gard, Clarensac, Monoblet, Aigremont, Saint-Ambroix, Saint-Pons-La-Calm, Sanilhac-Sagriès, Montfaucon.
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