In Payzac, attractions range from protected historic hamlets and sandstone landscapes to Triassic dinosaur tracks. Its architectural history, historic pilgrimage heritage, geological finds and circular routes offer different ways to plan a trip.
Hamlets, trails and a chapel
The entire municipality of Payzac is recognised as a Site Patrimonial Remarquable (SPR), meaning that all the area’s historic hamlets are protected. The distinctive topography offers viewpoints and successive layers of landscape throughout the municipality. Trails through Payzac are lined with small heritage features and characteristic vegetation. Landscape and architecture are therefore equally integral to the area’s character.
The Chapelle funéraire Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs was designed by Lyon architect Pierre Bossan and built between 1852 and 1865. It has been listed as a heritage site since 1982. The statues and terracotta motifs at the first eleven stations of the semicircular Stations of the Cross were created by Lyon sculptor Joseph-Hugues Fabisch. The area also has a history of pilgrimage: pilgrims travelling to the major pilgrimage site of Notre-Dame du Puy historically stopped in Payzac, then known as Payjacum.
Dinosaur tracks and sandstone
The “Les Grès du Trias” route features around thirty dinosaur tracks in Triassic sandstone in Payzac, as well as four rare trackways showing both footprints and handprints. The tracks are attributed to Coelurosaurichnus grancieri, a species considered unknown elsewhere. “Sur les traces des premiers dinosaures” displays fossilised footprints both indoors and outdoors. The scientifically significant collection includes more than 470 casts and is considered exceptionally rare in France. Visitors can make and take home their own cast of a dinosaur footprint.
Hiking or mountain biking
The easy “Les Grès du Trias” circular hike is 5.9 km long, takes about two hours, and starts and ends at the Salle des fêtes de La Blache in Payzac. VTT-FFC circuit No. 32, “Au grés de Brès,” covers 9.4 km, takes about an hour and a half, and also starts and ends at the Salle des fêtes de La Blache. Despite being shorter, the hike therefore takes about half an hour longer than the longer mountain-bike route.
On “Au grés de Brès,” you pass red and grey sandstone formations and terraces planted with olive trees or vines. The route passes through pine and holm oak forests and offers panoramic views. It also goes by the church of Saint Hyppolite de Brès, known for its unusual red sandstone construction. The route description thus brings together sandstone, agricultural landscapes and woodland on a specific cycling route.
More ways to discover the local landscape
“Butinez en famille – Randoland Payzac” is a free treasure hunt with three age groups: ages four to six, seven to nine, and ten and up. It is available from the tourist offices in Joyeuse or Les Vans. The age groups provide clear guidance when choosing this activity.
The agricultural landscape also shapes Payzac, with terraced vineyards and olive groves defining its character. Gamay, Merlot and Chatus are considered the principal grape varieties grown here. The olive varieties Blanche de Payzac and Rougette share Payzac’s olive oil production. Wine and olive growing thus add another local dimension to the area’s architectural and geological heritage.
Discover more destinations: Villevocance, Saint-Prix, Jaujac, Chambonas, Usclades-et-Rieutord, Gravières, Rochessauve, Alboussière.
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
