Chapelle Saint-Saturnin was the former parish church of Bédouès; the fortified Collégiale Urbain V overlooks the town. Both buildings offer different perspectives on the town’s history. There are also specific options for active outings: the Puecheral hiking route starts and ends in Bédouès, while the Vallée du Tarn VTT n°9 mountain biking route follows the Tarn. This makes it possible to explore cultural history, hiking and mountain biking as different focuses of a stay.
Chapelle Saint-Saturnin: former parish church and painted interior
Two distinctive features come together at Chapelle Saint-Saturnin: its former role as a parish church and its interior, which is completely covered in paintings. The colourful decorative and funerary motifs give the chapel its own distinctive character. Visitors interested in religious buildings can explore both the history of the building and the themes depicted in its paintings.
On 11 March 2020, Chapelle Saint-Saturnin was listed as a historic monument in its entirety. It is open every day throughout the year; check the opening information before your visit. This makes it easy to plan a visit to the chapel, while the date of its listing provides a clear reference point in the more recent history of heritage protection.
The fortified Collégiale Urbain V
The Collégiale de Bédouès was built in 1363 to house the remains of the Grimoard family. Its fortifications and its position overlooking the town make it a prominent part of local history. The year and purpose of its construction provide a specific historical context for a visit.
The Collégiale was destroyed in 1580 during the Wars of Religion. It was subsequently rebuilt on a smaller scale and in the shape of a Greek cross. The rebuilt church therefore differs from the original in both size and shape. Visitors wishing to include the church in a themed itinerary can also find it on the “Histoire et patrimoine médiéval au fil de la source du Tarn” route. Check the route details before planning your visit.
Château du Miral: construction phases and chapel
Château du Miral was built in the 13th century. The Malbosc de Miral family expanded it gradually in the 16th and 17th centuries. Its construction history therefore spans several clearly distinct periods: the original building was followed by later expansions over two centuries.
The chapel at Château du Miral is decorated with 14th-century frescoes and is open to visitors. Individual visits to Château du Miral last one hour and are available by appointment only. So don’t plan this visit spontaneously; arrange an appointment in advance. As visiting conditions may change, it is advisable to check before travelling.
Hiking, mountain biking and river access
The Puecheral hiking route starts and ends in Bédouès. Along the way, it follows the Draille de la Margeride, a route used by flocks of sheep during transhumance. This gives the hike a specific cultural and historical connection: the Draille is part of the tradition of seasonal herd migration.
The Vallée du Tarn VTT n°9 offers a different focus: this mountain biking route follows the Tarn. The routes can be distinguished by their stated features: Puecheral is a hike that starts and ends in Bédouès and is connected with transhumance; the VTT route is characterised by its course along the Tarn. This makes it possible to decide first whether you would prefer to hike or choose a mountain biking route.
At La Rodé, the river provides access for cooling off and relaxing. Conditions at the river access may vary seasonally; plan accordingly and check what to expect for the time of your visit. When choosing a stay, you can therefore consider a range of interests: historic buildings, a hike with a cultural and historical connection, a VTT route along the Tarn or time by the river.
Discover more destinations: Chirac, Gabriac, Le Rozier, Pied De Borne, Sainte-Hélène, Saint-Symphorien, La Canourgue, Barre-Des-Cévennes
For the wider travel overview: Lozère.
