Ozon preserves its rural character through fruit growing and winegrowing; most of its vineyards belong to the Saint-Joseph Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée. Hiking, medieval heritage and regional cuisine offer different ways to spend your stay. The differences are particularly clear when comparing the hiking routes: they vary in difficulty, distance and time required.

Hiking between the Rhône banks and the Ozon Valley

Le grand huit is a difficult circular hike covering 18.0 kilometres, with 589 metres of ascent and 590 metres of descent. The stated duration is six hours. The starting point is the Salle polyvalente d’Ozon above the village. The route follows the banks of the Rhône and vineyard slopes, crossing plateaus and winding through steep-sided valleys. These varied landscapes are part of an extensive hike, and the time required is an important consideration when planning.

Rives de l’Ozon is a moderately difficult circular hike covering 11.2 kilometres. It starts in Arras-sur-Rhône and takes about three and a half hours. This makes it shorter than Le grand huit and gives it a different rating: moderate rather than difficult. The time estimates and difficulty ratings offer a concrete basis for choosing between the two hikes. Rives de l’Ozon passes through the wild, steep-sided Ozon Valley, across the plateau and along the slopes of Saint-Joseph. Along the way, the route offers views of the Rhône Valley and the Alps.

On Rives de l’Ozon, the trail crosses the Passerelle de l’Ardennes. The footbridge spans the Ozon River between Sécheras and Éclassan, at the point where the communes of Sécheras, Éclassan, Arras-sur-Rhône and Ozon meet. It was built to make the route safer for hikers, as the trail was often impassable and dangerous in rainy weather. The bridge, river crossing and course of the trail are among the defining features of this loop.

Chapel and memorial

The chapel in Ozon was built in the 11th century by the Order of the Monks of St Chaffre and dedicated to the martyr soldiers Pierre and Paul. Originally part of a fortified village, it is now a medieval remnant of the commune. Individuals and groups can visit the chapel with or without a guide. Admission is free, and parking is available nearby. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit.

Another historic site lies at Port du Roure in Ozon: the present-day memorial stands about ten metres from the spot where ten prisoners were executed. The chapel and memorial offer different historical perspectives: one tells the story of medieval religious and village life, while the other commemorates the prisoners.

Winegrowing, cuisine and views

Fruit growing and winegrowing shape Ozon’s rural character; most of the vineyards belong to the Saint-Joseph appellation. The views are another of the village’s described attractions. From the Le Panoramic restaurant in Ozon, you can see the meanders of the Rhône, the Alps and the Vercors. The restaurant serves traditional and regional cuisine. Ozon also has a viewpoint overlooking the Défilé Panoramique de St Vallier.

When planning your trip, you can compare the options by what they offer: the circular hikes have two different time and difficulty profiles, while the chapel and memorial focus on different historical themes. Winegrowing and regional cuisine complete the picture of a rural village. You can decide whether hiking, heritage or a visit focused on regional cuisine should be the main feature of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Pailharès, Labeaume, Lalouvesc, Pradons, Beaulieu, Saint-Sernin, Rochecolombe, Chazeaux

For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.