Castillon-Du-Gard

Castillon-du-Gard can be explored through a range of different themes: its chapels tell of several historical periods, the centre features cobbled lanes, and the Chemin de ronde offers views across a striking landscape. For planning your trip, there are also two circular cycling routes that can be clearly compared by length and difficulty. You can first decide whether architectural history, the townscape, views or a specific sporting challenge should be the focus of your trip.

Chapels from different historical periods

The Chapelle Saint-Caprais dates from the 12th century. It was once a pilgrimage site where miracles were said to have taken place. Its history therefore encompasses both a medieval construction period and a distinctive religious role. It was listed as a Monument historique by decree dated 20 December 1945. The decree came many centuries after the chapel was built, so it should be understood as a separate historical reference point, not as the date of its construction.

The Chapelle Saint-Christophe was also built in the 12th century. Its building history, however, goes further back: it stands on the foundations of an older Romanesque chapel, which was built over a Gallo-Roman settlement. The two chapels therefore invite different perspectives: Saint-Caprais is associated with its former role as a pilgrimage site and its 1945 listing, as well as its construction period; at Saint-Christophe, you can trace the sequence from the Gallo-Roman settlement to the older chapel and then the 12th-century building.

Lanes, crosses and views

The historic centre of Castillon-du-Gard is classified by the Architectes des Bâtiments de France and features cobbled lanes. The classification and the lanes refer to different aspects of the town centre: the professional designation on the one hand, and the actual streetscape on the other. The lanes thus complement the individual chapels as a feature of the historic centre.

From the Chemin de ronde, there are panoramic views of the Pont du Gard, the garrigue and the vineyards. The view takes in not only a structure but also the landscape and vineyards. Stone crosses in Castillon-du-Gard mark former crossroads of roads and paths. Unlike the chapels, whose history can be traced through their construction periods and older foundations, the crosses point to former landmarks along the way.

Compare cycling routes by length and difficulty

The Boucle cyclo-découverte de l’Uzège Pont du Gard is a difficult circular route covering 43.2 kilometres. At 13.4 kilometres, the easy Parcours VTT Les vestiges de l'Aqueduc is considerably shorter; it is marked in yellow and passes through Castillon-du-Gard. The two circular routes therefore differ in both length and stated difficulty. The yellow markings belong to the Parcours VTT Les vestiges de l'Aqueduc.

In Castillon-du-Gard, the Chemin Urbain V follows the Chemin du Petit-Stade, runs along the village fortifications, and passes the Passage du Jeu de Boule and the church. This route focuses on specific local features along the way; for the two circular cycling routes, length, difficulty and trail markings are the clear points of comparison.

Discover more destinations: Baron, Alzon, Souvignargues, Montclus, Aiguèze, Rochefort-Du-Gard, Sénéchas, Jonquières-Saint-Vincent

For the main travel overview: Gard.