Avèze: River Landscapes, Hiking Trails and History

Avèze developed at the foot of the Causse de Blandas; the Arre is one of three rivers that flow through the town. This brings together a connection to the Causse and a riverside landscape. Hiking trails, historic townhouses, and traces of military and industrial history add to these themes. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses: a walk along the water, the historic townscape, or individual buildings and places of remembrance.

Hiking along the Arre and to the Pont de Mousse

A family-friendly walk along the Arre connects Avèze with Le Vigan. Le Pont de Mousse is a marked 3.5-kilometre circular hike starting from Avèze; it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can choose based on the route type: one walk connects two towns, while the other is a loop starting and ending in the same place. Le Pont de Mousse is a natural arch of relatively young, light-colored and porous tufa deposits, formed by the stream. The Arre flows through Avèze, while the stream formed the tufa arch. Check the route details before setting out, as they may change.

Streetscape and architectural history

The picturesque streets, with their grand 18th- and 19th-century townhouses, define the townscape. By contrast, the Château de Montcalm is a single historic building: a former fortified castle that has been altered several times. Since 1942, the Château de Montcalm has been listed in France’s supplementary register of historic monuments.

Historical traces in Avèze

The older forms of the town’s name also offer a glimpse into the past. The earliest recorded written forms of Avèze are Aveda, from 1150, and Aveza, from 1262. According to a foundation tradition, Avèze was founded by Benedictine monks around the year 800. While Aveda and Aveza are early written forms of the name, the founding by Benedictine monks belongs to the town’s traditional history. Together, these traces provide a brief historical context for Avèze.

Military remembrance and industrial history

The Belgian cemetery in Avèze is a military cemetery. Belgian soldiers who died at the Cauvalat sanatorium during the First World War are buried there. This specific place of remembrance adds to the town’s architectural and name history; the soldiers’ origins and their connection to the sanatorium are also part of this history.

Industrial history is also part of Avèze’s heritage. The Moulin de Montcalm complex, later known as Kammerer, is classified as industrial heritage and includes, among other things, a factory for producing lithographic stones. It is privately owned and is not open to the public for indoor visits.

Practical information

A designated parking area for motorhomes is available in Avèze. Check the latest information before using it, as details may change.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Quentin-La-Poterie, Saint-Geniès-De-Comolas, Vallabrègues, Domazan, Milhaud, Codolet, Montfaucon, Générac.

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