In Lirac, terraced vineyards meet trails through the garrigue and a remarkable historic site. The area offers several highlights to help you plan your stay: wine tastings, hikes and heritage. The landscape and specific trail information can help you choose suitable activities for your visit.

Vineyards, tastings and local traditions

Lirac’s vineyards lie on terraces and slopes on the right bank of the Rhône, opposite the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region. They form a 1,200-hectare ring in the heart of the Gard department’s garrigue, amid Roman remains. Lirac is the oldest cru in the Côtes du Rhône to produce red, rosé and white wines.

The “Balade Gourmande des Jaugeurs et des Vignerons de Lirac” is an opportunity to combine vineyards and tastings. This approximately five-kilometre walk has taken place every year in May since 2005. There are stops along the way to sample food and Lirac wines. The combination of the route and tasting stops makes this event a distinct outing; check the dates before your trip.

The Maison du Cru Lirac offers tastings of red, white and rosé wines. Visitors can also find more than 50 wineries, cellars and wine merchants there. For planning purposes, you can treat wine tasting as a separate activity and check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

Historic sites and trails to Sainte Baume

The Église basse in Lirac, also known as the parish church crypt, has been listed as a historic monument, including its painted features, since 31 March 1992. The painted elements date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The site therefore has a specific historical designation and features decoration dating back several centuries.

Another way to explore the area’s history is to visit the hermitage and cave of Sainte Baume: the Neolithic cave is linked to a chapel built in the 17th century and a statue of the Virgin Mary; together, they became a place of pilgrimage. Sainte Baume is two kilometres from Lirac and can be reached via a freely accessible footpath in a wooded natural area. The Les Amis de la Sainte Baume association holds events, open days, tours and concerts at the site throughout the year. Check the dates in advance.

Compare hikes and cycling routes

For a marked hike, “De vignes en garrigues” starts at the Maison du Cru Lirac. This circular route is 6.8 kilometres long and takes about two hours and 20 minutes. Those looking for a shorter themed route can try “Enquête dans les vignes,” a four-kilometre trail linking vineyards, woods and the village, where you solve an exciting mystery.

Different distances are also available for cycling routes. The marked Sentier VTT No. 25 is a very easy nine-kilometre loop, taking approximately one hour and 15 minutes. It passes through the village and vineyards on the way to the Ermitage de la Sainte Baume. The blue-marked Sentier VTT No. 26 is described as an easy, 14-kilometre loop with a stated duration of one hour and 45 minutes; the route passes through valleys, vineyards, garrigue and woods. The distances and times provide a useful basis for comparison, although the two routes do not offer the same scenery.

Lirac Sport Détente offers a family-friendly hike for a broad audience once a month on a Sunday. As activity schedules should be checked again before your trip, it is advisable to consult the latest timetable. For travel, Lirac is about five minutes from the Roquemaure exit on the A9 and about 15 minutes from Avignon TGV station.

Discover more destinations: Avèze, Monoblet, Souvignargues, Bellegarde, Cruviers-Lascours, Laval-Saint-Roman, Bezouce, Sabran.

For the broader travel overview: Gard.