In the village of Bréau, an orchard lies at the center of a settlement laid out according to the principles of circular planning. This is just one of the things to discover: hiking trails vary considerably in length and character, while the temple, arboretum and Maison des Jouets offer other points of interest. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on a short nature walk, a longer hike or culture.
Choose hiking trails by duration and character
The “Sentier de Puechagut” is a 450-meter out-and-back trail with a stated duration of 30 minutes. Five discovery stops, with wooden information boards and seating, line the route. It ends at a viewpoint overlooking the southern Larzac Causse. The trail enables people with reduced mobility and people with different disabilities, especially motor and visual impairments, to explore the natural surroundings.
The circular “Randonnée Villages viganais, circuit des rutènes” hike takes considerably longer: it is 10.14 kilometers long, has an elevation gain of 463 meters and a stated duration of four hours. It starts and ends at Bréau’s town hall square. The stated durations clearly distinguish a 30-minute out-and-back trail from a hike lasting several hours.
The “Sentier du Souls” runs along the Souls Valley to a point below the Col du Minier. The route includes stream crossings and is impassable after heavy rain. Beyond the Col du Minier, there is a steep section followed by a challenging descent. Take these conditions into account when choosing your route, and do not plan to hike it after heavy rain.
Village architecture and the history of the Cévennes
The temple in Bréau dates from 1845 and is octagonal. Its steps were carved by a local craftsman. Together with the orchard at the center of the circularly planned settlement, it offers concrete architectural touchpoints for the village’s history.
The Arboretum de Puéchagut lies on the southern slope of Lingas in the Aigoual Massif, within the territory of Bréau-et-Salagosse. Georges Fabre and Charles Flahault established it starting in the 1870s. The Maison des Cévennes offers another perspective on forestry history: located at an altitude of 1,000 meters, it was one of ten forestry houses in the Aigoual Massif during the reforestation period. The “Le Col de la Cravate” route also offers insight into the history of reforestation in this massif.
In Le Plan, the Maison des Jouets displays original creations as well as toys collected from around the world. The annual Salon de Bréau adds another cultural highlight: it showcases works by painters, visual artists and ceramicists working in the Cévennes.
Plan your market visit and stay
The municipality’s seasonal schedule for 2026 listed the village market on Sundays in July and August, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the town hall square. Check the dates and times again before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Tavel, Sommières, Aujargues, Peyremale, Orthoux-Sérignac-Quilhan, Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières, Aramon, Laudun-L'ardoise.
For the regional travel overview: Gard.
