Nature and heritage are the themes you can explore in Sanilhac-Sagriès. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing the expansive landscape of the Réserve Naturelle Régionale des Gorges du Gardon from the specific route description for the Sentier La Baume and the individual historic sites. This lets you choose a focus: explore the landscape, take a hike with a described route, or learn about traces of different periods.
Explore the landscape of the Gardon gorges
The Réserve Naturelle Régionale des Gorges du Gardon covers 500 hectares from Pont-Saint-Nicolas to La Baume. It lies mostly on the left bank of the Gardon. You can explore the area independently or with a guide, on foot, by bike or on horseback. This gives you several ways to make the landscape your focus: you can choose both your mode of transport and whether to go alone or with a guide.
The Sentier La Baume offers a specific route description. It starts at the town hall car park, passes through the garrigue and then descends to the river. The Balade La Baume Saint-Vérédème offers panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs of the Gardon gorges. A path carved into the rock face provides access to the Grotte de La Baume via the Sentier La Baume. Check the seasonal access rules in advance if you plan to visit the cave. The former mill of La Baume is also located along the path.
Watchtower, oppidum and chapel
La Tourasse is the only surviving one of the five former watchtowers built in 1156 around Sanilhac Castle, which was enclosed by ramparts. The Iron Age oppidum of Jas di Bioou offers another glimpse into the past: its walls are still standing and overlook the Riaou plain and the Gardon gorges. The term oppidum refers to a fortified settlement; here, the surviving walls are an integral part of that picture.
Pierre Bamboche is also part of the local heritage: the stone is a menhir in Sanilhac-Sagriès. Another historic stop is the chapel near the Grotte de La Baume. Built in the 11th century, it recalls a place of worship. The tower, oppidum, menhir and chapel thus offer different points of interest for anyone interested in historic landmarks as well as the landscape.
Nature interpretation and local honey
The Maison de la Réserve Naturelle Régionale des Gorges du Gardon presents a modern cabinet of curiosities. It brings together natural elements, human-made objects, scientific instruments and works of art. This mix offers different perspectives on nature and human creativity, without focusing on just one type of object.
A visit to the honey production facility at Les Ruchers de l’Uzège is possible by appointment; honey tastings are also offered. Depending on the season, you can also see a live beehive there. The business sells various types of honey, pollen and royal jelly directly. When planning your visit, it is important to note the difference between the offerings: you can explore the Réserve independently or with a guide, whereas a visit to Les Ruchers de l’Uzège requires an appointment in advance, and the beehive visit is seasonal.
Discover more destinations: Caveirac, Rivières, Redessan, Barjac, Manduel, Vallabrègues, Saint-André-De-Valborgne, Vallabrix.
For the overview of the wider region: Gard.
