La Roque-sur-Cèze
‘One of the most beautiful villages in France’.
La Roque-sur-Cèze perched on its rocky outcrop enjoys stunning panoramic views of the meandering river and water falls , vineyards, Mediterranean plants and trees.
The Village
On approach to the village, you will pass over the Charles Martel Bridge with its 12 arches. (I can’t help you with why it is named after a King who had nothing to do with this village!). The cobble-stone lanes do not welcome cars so park your vehicle along the riverside in the shade of the sycamore trees, arm yourselves with decent walking shoes and a bottle of water and take to the winding streets…The higher you go, the better the views!
Pass the 12th century church on to Rue Rompe-cul, Break-back Street -you’ll understand quickly why it’s named this- and head up past the quaint stone houses to reach the castle vestiges. Neither the Château nor the attached Romanesque chapel are open to the public but the views from up here are certainly worth the climb!
On the way down, why not stop off for a game of pétanque in the Place des Marronniers and have a glass of Pastis in the bistro before visiting the surrounding area?
The communal wash basin is also worth checking out. In the 19th century, the women of the village complained to their husbands that they were tired of washing the laundry in the river below so pushed the men to build a lavoir. They didn’t finish till 1843 but at least some stay at home mums got it a bit easier till the invention of the washing machine.
Now for a cool down in the refreshing Sautadet Cascades -just a few metres from the village.
Leave your car where you left it or pay the €5 fee for parking at the waterfalls. Sautadet Cascades is a perfect spot for swimming and relaxing on the small beach and heading off on to hiking trails.
La Roque-sur-Cèze Checklist:
– Pass over the Charles Martel Bridge
-See the Lavoir (wash basin)
-Admire the 12th century castle and chapel
– Cool down at the Sautadet Cascades
-Visit the Chartreuses de Valbonne: Large monastery nestled in the forest at the bottom of the village 8 km away
-Hike to the Cascades de Vis is only accessible by foot from the village of Saint-Laurent le Minier
-Take a refreshing dip at Les Cascades de Lussans (the gorge is cut from the River Aiguillon a few km north of Lussan
-Visit the wine estates. Try Domaine Bel Air and Gressac
-Take a trip back in time at Le Camp de Cézar in Laudun (18 hectares of archaeological ruins)
-See the Aquaduc de Balouvière –similar to Pont du Gard
-Go canoeing and swimming at the Pont du Gard
Nearest Villages
Monclus Charming village | 15.7 km | See map |
---|---|---|
Aiguèze Exceptionally beautiful village | 18.7 km | See map |
Lussan Gorges | 27 km | See map |
Uzès Roman town | 31 km | See map |
Avignon Capital of Provence | 45 km | See map |
Nearby Restaurants
Château de Montcaud, La Roque-sur-Cèze
Auberge des 4 Saisons, Cornillon. 4.3km
Le Mouton Noir, Issirac. 9.3km
Restaurant du commerce, Goudargues. 8km
Restaurent la Grignotte des 5 continents, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, 8.6km
How to get there
Train: Avignon (50 mins)
Airports: Avignon (1h). Montpellier (1:25 mins)
Car: See map
Fancy staying in La Roque-sur-Cèze?
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