Around Bagnols-sur-Cèze (Gard) 05.Feb.2011

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For 14 years that I’ve been living here, and after so many hikes and strolls, I’m still a long way from knowing every place of interest in our amazingly varied region. Bagnols-s.Cèze area, for example, deserves a detailed visit for its sights some of which we are going to discover to-day. 

Going through Avignon, I can’t resist the temptation of a short stop to take a photo of St.Bénézet bridge, for the light is optimal.

‘Camp de César’ at Laudun is an antique settlement used from Gallic times to the Middle Ages.

From the cliff edge stretches an interesting view onto the Rhône valley. You can see Orsan village, then Marcoule nuclear plant, and Mount Ventoux on the right. Much farther, the snow-capped southern Alps can be discerned.

A few minutes’ walk northwards leads us to the ruins of St.Jean-de-Todon priory.

Sabran is an old village overlooking its peaceful countryside.

 

The ‘Cascades du Sautadet’ at La Roque-sur-Cèze are to-day’s outing star turn . Here is a general view, with the village and its old bridge. We will come again soon to visit the village in the morning.

It’s possible to have a swim in summer in some places in the river around here, but I think winter is more suitable for photos. Along the millennia, stones trapped in whirlpools stubbornly dug out a lot of small and big potholes.

The former Valbonne charterhouse, on St.Paulet-de-Caisson territory, is very photogenic seen from the south-west with its slender towers enhanced by their steep-sloped well-decorated roofs.

The winged warrior must be archangel St.Michael, protecting the premises from the devil seeking to interfere everywhere, even in a monastery (click to enlarge).         Huberaime