Durfort-Et-Saint-Martin-De-Sossenac: Château, Cultural Routes and Winegrowing

Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac combines a medieval village setting with Huguenot history and routes through vineyards and garrigue. This gives you specific themes to choose from for your trip: historic buildings, hiking and cycling, horse riding or wine tasting. You can choose a hotel based on which of these themes interests you most during your stay.

Village setting and history

Durfort is classified as a “Circulade Languedocienne de l’an mille” and is arranged around its keep. The former Château de Durfort and its keep date from a major building phase in the 12th century; they were probably built by the Bermond de Sauve. The Château is partially protected as a historic monument: the seigneurial tower and the façades and roofs of the north wing were granted protected status on 1 September 2008.

The religious buildings also have distinct histories. The temple has two tiers of galleries, one above the other, and was rebuilt in 1821. The village church of Saint Thomas dates from 1687. The former parish church of Saint-Martin has a different history: it was devastated in 1686 and set on fire by the Camisards.

The Durfort Mammoth was discovered in 1869 during roadworks in Durfort. The walking trail to the mammoth traces its history from its discovery through to the latest excavations in 2022. Durfort’s lead-silver and zinc deposits are also part of its industrial history. They belong to the mining complex of the Pallières mines and have been exploited since at least the 13th century.

Hiking trails, cycling loop and winegrowing landscape

Durfort lies on the international hiking trail “Sur les Pas des Huguenots” and is a stage on this Council of Europe cultural route. It focuses on the history of Huguenot refuge and exile. Another way to explore the area is the “Le Tour du Piémont Cévenol” cycling loop, which passes through Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac.

One clearly described circular route is the themed trail “Jeux de vignes, je dis vin!”: it is 7.8 kilometres long, marked in yellow and equipped with information panels along the way. Its route passes through garrigue and the vineyards of the Duché d’Uzès. Along the way, it explores local winegrowing history, grape varieties and vineyard work. This themed trail differs from the international hiking stage and the cycling loop: it offers a marked circuit of a set length, focused on winegrowing.

Forest paths also lead to the remains of former orchards and historic charcoal kilns. Those interested in the landscape will therefore find traces of earlier forest uses here, as well as vineyards.

Horse riding and wine as further travel interests

The Haras de Durfort offers individual and group riding lessons as well as trail rides. Riding lessons and trail rides are available for all ages and skill levels; trail rides last one hour or longer, depending on skill level. This sets the activity apart from the marked trails: the duration of a trail ride depends on the rider’s level, while the wine trail has a set length.

There are also two distinct ways to explore wine. The themed trail introduces winegrowing history, grape varieties and vineyard work. The Cave Coopérative Les Coteaux Cévenols produces organic, Terra Vitis and conventional wines; its appellations include IGP Cévennes and AOP Duché d’Uzès. It also offers wine tastings. Depending on your interests, you can choose between the landscape and history of winegrowing, or the cooperative’s wines and tastings.

Discover more destinations: Mejannes Les Ales, Vallabrègues, Tresques, Le Cailar, Aigremont, Brignon, Saint-Pons-La-Calm, Pougnadoresse

For the broader travel overview: Gard.