Les petites gorges de l’Ouvèze

A pretty, easy loop around the Ouvèze gorges, linking the villages of Sainte-Euphémie-sur-Ouvèze and Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze. The Roudille spring at the foot of the gorges is said to drive those who drink its water mad...volunteers beware!

In addition to this hike, you can take a sightseeing tour of these two villages, structured by narrow, winding lanes, where the cultivation of aromatic plants, based on centuries-old know-how, continues to contribute to the local economy. Saint-Auban is the birthplace of the "Clos d'Aguzon" brand.

Departure: Arriving at Sainte-Euphémie sur l'Ouvèze from Buis-les-Baronnies on the D546, at the village entrance take the road on the right that descends towards the town hall. After a bridge, park in the large parking lot on the right, Place du Petit Portail.

1. Head south. After 100m, at the corner, the road turns left into Rue des Remparts, then Place de la Mairie (signposted "Sainte-Euphémie, 540m"). Continue to the left, passing the town hall. This takes you around the village. Pass the white mulberry tree (planted in 1732). The road becomes a path which climbs up and leads back to the D546, which you take on the right for 300m.

2. At the town exit sign, turn left onto the track and leave it immediately to follow a path to the right, winding up to the cliffs (follow the signposts).

3. Turn right onto a stone footbridge. You then walk along the edge of the cliff. You soon have a fine view of the village of Sainte-Euphémie-sur-Ouvèze. After 700m, you reach a track, continue straight ahead. Then follow
the road to the right 50m further on.

4. 100m further on, turn left at the "Pierre Merle" sign and follow the path for 50m. After the electricity pole, turn right onto a grassy track.

5. Leave the track and turn left onto a path. You soon reach a plateau on the edge of the cliff, with a view of the gorge. Turn left onto a grassy path.

6. Cross a stream bed on the right, on stone slabs, then join a track which runs right along the edge of fields for 700m.

7. Join the D546 (alt. 593m on IGN), which you take to the left for 200m. At the sign for the D64, leave the D546 and turn left to follow the Col de Peyruergue road (D64) for 500m.

8. At 609m, leave the road and turn right onto a track. This is the chemin de Sarre Neuve.

9. You reach the D546, which you take to the left. Take the Traverse de l'Antanne left again for 300m.

10. You reach the D546. Follow it to the left for 500m.

11. Leave the road after crossing the Ouvèze bridge and turn right onto the Montée du lavoir track.

12. You'll come to a wash-house at the foot of the village of Saint-Auban-sur- l'Ouvèze. Take the first right onto a downhill path. After the wooden bridge, 300 m further on, the path continues straight on and climbs into the undergrowth. Turn right after the bridge to reach the river (80m AR).

13. At the crossroads 200m after the bridge, continue straight ahead on the flat path through the undergrowth. You will then pass lavender fields at the bottom.

14. Leave the fields and follow the path into the forest. This becomes a path, descends, then passes between meadows and the Ouvèze river.

15. Cross a track. Turn left across the ford. After 200 m, turn right at the fork. Stay on the main track for 1.4 km.

16. At the fork, don't take the first left, take the second. The track becomes a tarmac road and turns left, before a hairpin bend takes you back to the right. Approaching Sainte-Euphémie-sur-Ouvèze, it crosses a bridge
crosses a bridge and returns to the village center. From here, join the parking lot.

Spoken languages

• French

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• Open air