Combas offers several distinct reasons to stay: the long history of Saint-Brice church, the wooded landscape of the Bois de Lens and several routes through the surrounding area. For trip planning, a particularly useful detail is that two mountain biking routes start and finish in Combas; there is also a walk and a circular trail through different landscapes. This makes it possible to explore the area through both its historic sites and active outdoor pursuits. The church provides a fixed point of reference for the village’s history, while the forest massif, viewpoint and wine-growing plain draw attention to the surrounding landscape.
Saint-Brice and the village’s history
Saint-Brice church was already mentioned in a papal bull in 1099 as a possession of Psalmodi Abbey. In the 14th century, it was incorporated into the village’s fortification walls and became the village’s keep. The same building thus links religious history with the village’s defensive function: here, the keep refers to its role within the fortifications. Another significant date is 5 June 1703. On that day, 300 Camisards under the command of Dayre attacked; the upper part of the building was destroyed. Traces of this attack remain on the church. The sequence of its early mention, incorporation into the fortifications and later destruction makes Saint-Brice a tangible way to explore several periods of local history.
Forest, views and traces of history
The Bois de Lens shapes the landscape as a forest massif and is considered an ecological reserve with a fragile balance. The Bois de Lens contains numerous remains of quarries and lime kilns. A walk along the slope of the Bois de Lens leads to the Serre du Suc, a viewpoint overlooking the entire region. The circular trail around Combas passes through the area surrounding the village, between wooded hills and the wine-growing plain. The walk leads directly to the viewpoint, while the circular trail explores the area between the hills and the plain.
Traces of a washhouse, probably built in the 19th or 20th century, remain at the Fontaine Mère de Dieu; two large basins can be seen.
Comparing two mountain biking routes
The two mountain biking routes also differ considerably. The La Plaine de Combas route is 8.2 km long, takes one hour and has 121 m of elevation gain; it is rated moderate and starts and finishes in Combas. It is marked with the local network’s yellow waymarking and corresponding signage. The car park at the cooperative winery is recommended as a parking area. The Le Bois des Lens mountain biking route is 25.2 km long, has 607 m of elevation gain and is rated difficult; this route also starts and finishes in Combas. It offers views of the Cévennes and Pic Saint-Loup and, in clear weather, Mont Ventoux.
Combas in context
Combas is about 23 km west of Nîmes via the D999. This approximate distance provides a useful reference point for planning regional travel.
Discover more destinations: Sernhac, Lédenon, Potelières, Remoulins, Issirac, Lussan, Ners, Goudargues
For the regional travel overview: Gard.
