Fontans – Riverside Paths, Granite Landscapes and Church Art

Fontans combines paths along the Truyère with a granite landscape and churches whose architectural histories and features differ. When planning your trip, you can choose between a riverside walk, paths through the granite landscape and historic sites. This lets you shape the focus of your stay around your interests in landscapes, outdoor activities or architectural history.

Hiking along the Truyère

The marked “Les berges de la Truyère” hiking trail is 7.39 kilometres long; the stated duration is about two hours. It starts in Les Estrets and runs along the banks of the Truyère. Parking for the trail is available next to the church. Check the latest route information before setting out.

“Tiracols: Le Trou del Baou” offers a different route: the hiking trail runs above the Truyère and heads towards the granite chaos of Baou de Lestival. There is also a path from the hamlet of Lestival that descends 1.5 kilometres to the Truyère. This gives you a choice of different route descriptions: one along the banks, one above the river and one down to the water. Conditions on hiking trails may vary seasonally; check them before your hike.

Granite Landscape and Access

At Baou de l’Estival, the Truyère flows through flat green meadows and between rounded, moss-covered granite boulders. Baou also includes a granite barrier with a three-metre-high waterfall. The stream, meadows and rock formations together shape the landscape here.

Access is an important consideration when planning your journey: Baou de l’Estival is more than a kilometre from any dwelling and is difficult to reach by vehicle. Check local access conditions before your visit. The “Tiracols: Le Trou del Baou” hiking trail and the 1.5-kilometre path from Lestival describe separate routes; use the relevant information when planning.

Churches and Historical Details

The Church of Saint-Pierre in Fontans dates back to the Romanesque period and was remodelled in the Gothic period. Restored wall paintings cover all the ceiling surfaces in the building. Their figurative, geometric and plant motifs form a distinctive part of the church’s features. The church is open to the public year-round, with free admission. Check local information before your visit.

A lily cross dating from 1823 stands in front of the Church of Saint-Pierre. The front depicts Christ on the cross, while the back shows the Madonna and Child. The cross adds a distinct historical detail outdoors to the church visit.

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Les Estrets also brings together different historical periods: in the Middle Ages, it was a simple private chapel of the Knights of Malta; in 1843, it became a parish church. The choir contains an altar made of oak and lime wood. Its bas-relief depicts the Last Supper after Leonardo da Vinci. The remains of a commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem can be seen in the former priory beside the church.

Beyond the churches, an ancient road runs through the commune of Fontans. It linked Chapeauroux with Javols, the ancient capital of the Gabali kingdom. The area’s history can therefore be explored through both individual buildings and a historic route running through the commune.

Discover more destinations: Quézac, Les Vignes, Vebron, Balsièges, Les Monts-Verts, Saint-Hilaire-de-Lavit, Fournels, Langogne

For the main travel overview: Lozère.