Discover Junas: Cultural Heritage, Stone and Jazz

Junas brings together cultural heritage, stoneworking and outdoor activities. Its church, mills and quarries offer different ways to explore the village’s history. You can also discover the commune on walks, along a geocaching route or on the Voie Verte. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on architectural history, the festival programme or outdoor activities.

Church, Mills and Architectural History

The Église Saint-Benoît was probably built in the first half of the 12th century in the Romanesque style. The Moulin de Corbières adds a building from a later period to this look at the area’s heritage: it was built in 1482 as a work of medieval engineering. The Corbière washhouse was finally completed in 1906. These dates are far apart, and the buildings represent different themes: Romanesque church architecture, medieval engineering and the washhouse. This contrast in periods gives you several historical points of interest to explore during a visit.

Quarries and Craftsmanship

The Carrières du Bon Temps add stone extraction to the story of the area. Stone was quarried there for more than 2,000 years, using a manual method that remained unchanged from Gallo-Roman times until quarrying ceased in the mid-20th century. The long period of use and the continuity of the working method are two connected aspects of the site’s history. The Carrières du Bon Temps are open every day, year-round, free of charge. Check access conditions before your visit.

The Rencontres de la Pierre also puts stone and craftsmanship in the spotlight. Since 2013, the association “Des Hommes et des Cailloux” has organised the gathering, which brings together stonemasons, sculptors, mosaic artists and dry-stone wallers. These different trades offer a perspective on the material that differs from the history of its extraction: the focus here is on the crafts practised by the participants.

Jazz à Junas

The Jazz à Junas festival takes place in the Carrières de Junas. It features European artists alongside artists from the French music scene and emerging talents. The programme includes workshops for adults and young visitors, free concerts, and open opportunities to meet and learn. The festival therefore encompasses both music and opportunities for exchange and learning. Check the dates and programme for your travel year if you want Jazz à Junas to be the focus of your stay.

Walking, Geocaching and the Voie Verte

You can explore the preserved grounds of the Vieux Moulin on walks. A geocaching route takes you through Junas, combining exploration of the commune with its cultural heritage. For cycling, scootering and walking, the Voie Verte from Sommières to Caveirac offers another option away from motor traffic. The access car park in Junas is on Route d’Aujargues, near the recycling centre. Each activity offers a different focus: walks take you through the grounds of the Vieux Moulin, geocaching centres on the commune’s cultural heritage, and the Voie Verte accommodates several ways of getting around.

Find a Hotel in Junas

If you plan to visit Jazz à Junas, check the festival dates and plan your search accordingly. For a stay focused on culture or activities, the church, mills, quarries and routes described above offer a range of themes. You can then search specifically for a hotel for your chosen travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Molières-Cavaillac, Les Plantiers, Castelnau-Valence, Dions, Vestric-Et-Candiac, Cardet, Deaux, Salindres

For the broader travel guide: Gard.