In Tornac, you can choose between a 40-minute circular walk and a three-and-a-half-hour hike. Along the way, vineyards, Romanesque architecture and places of remembrance bring the area’s history into focus. The different route lengths make it easier to choose a hike that fits your schedule.
Hikes with different time commitments
The “Le Château de Tornac” circular walk is 2.7 kilometres long, with 116 metres of ascent, and is listed as taking 40 minutes. It leads to the Château de Tornac and offers a view of the Porte des Cévennes. The route is marked throughout with yellow “Promenade et Randonnée” signs. Its rocky terrain is unsuitable for pushchairs. Check the trail conditions before setting out.
The moderately difficult “Lacan et le château de Tornac” circular route takes longer: over 8.5 kilometres, it has 421 metres of ascent and 420 metres of descent; the listed duration is three hours and 30 minutes. The start and finish are at a car park on the D 907 in Tornac. The route passes through Tornac and Anduze, through pine and evergreen oak forests, and up to the summit of Lacan, which is considered a viewpoint overlooking the Porte des Cévennes.
Another option is the sensory circular trail “Sens”. It covers 13 kilometres and takes about three hours. The route passes through Tornac and its hamlets, as well as numerous historic sites and remains, and is considered to have no major difficulties. It differs from the two château walks both in length and focus: here, the emphasis is on sensory impressions and the historical traces along the way.
Landscape and architectural history
The Château de Tornac overlooks the right bank of the Gardon d’Anduze. From there, panoramic views extend over Anduze and the vineyards of Tornac. A municipal order prohibited access to the château because there is no access for emergency vehicles in the event of a fire. Check the current access status before visiting.
The greenway from Anduze to Cardet passes through Tornac, Massillargues-Atuech and Lézan. Near Tornac, the Grand Tuf de Maliver on the greenway between Tornac and Anduze is considered a geological curiosity. The Église Saint-Baudile de Tornac stands amid vineyards and is an example of Romanesque architecture. It was built in the 12th century, was dependent on the Abbaye Saint-Baudile de Nîmes, has been protected as a Monument historique since 1911, and was restored from 1984 onwards.
Monasteries, remembrance and local history
The Monastère Saint-Etienne de Tornac was the seat of an abbey founded in the 7th century and is considered one of the oldest monastic foundations in eastern Languedoc. It was mentioned as dependent on the Abbaye Saint-Baudile de Nîmes as early as 808. The monastery is privately owned but can be seen from the outside. Its gardens are occasionally opened for classical music concerts in summer.
The Glacière de Tornac at La Madeleine also recalls the history of the château: it was built in the 17th century by the De La Fare family, the castle’s owners at the time. The Stèle de la Madeleine commemorates the Battle of La Madeleine on 25 August 1944, in which 32 Spanish guerrilla fighters stopped a German column. Another chapter in the area’s history is the skirmish of La Madeleine on 20 December 1703 in the Tornac plain. There, Camisards and royal troops under the command of Monsieur de La Haye faced one another.
Planning your visit
The Cave des vignerons de Tornac is open daily except Sundays. On Fridays in July and August, it holds open days with guided cellar tours. As seasonal opening hours may change, check the current dates before your visit. The hikes offer clear differences in the time they take; remember to check the information on access to the château and seasonal visits in advance.
Discover more destinations: Anduze, Mandagout, Jonquières-Saint-Vincent, Saint-Quentin-La-Poterie, Concoules, Orthoux-Sérignac-Quilhan, Fournes, Navacelles
Back to the main travel overview: Gard.
