Berrias-Et-Casteljau between river, cycling routes and cultural heritage

Berrias-Et-Casteljau can be explored through several clearly distinct themes: the sculpted limestone rocks in the Bois de Païolive, the meandering Chassezac, historic sites and signposted cycling routes. When planning your hotel stay, you can decide whether scenery, cycling, wine or history is particularly important to your trip.

Scenery between forest and river

The Bois de Païolive covers 16 km². Among the white oaks and holm oaks are limestone rocks, shaped in a variety of ways and turned to stone.

The Chassezac flows through Berrias-et-Casteljau in broad meanders. One of these meanders forms the peninsula on which the Château de Casteljau stands. At the château, the river’s shape and the site go together: the peninsula was formed by the course of the Chassezac. The forest and rocks of the Bois de Païolive thus contrast with a specific place whose location is directly determined by a river meander.

Cycling routes and wine

There are two different options for cyclists. Five signposted, FFC-certified mountain biking routes start from Berrias and are open year-round. La vigne à vélo is a signposted, 33-kilometre cycling route between Berrias-et-Casteljau, Banne and Beaulieu. It can be divided into 16- and 17-kilometre loops. There are five signposted, FFC-certified mountain biking routes open year-round; La vigne à vélo is a 33-kilometre route that can be divided into 16- and 17-kilometre loops.

La vigne à vélo includes stops at wine cellars, where local winemakers share their knowledge of viticulture and offer wine tastings. The route can be accessed from Via Ardèche, from public car parks or from one of the participating wine cellars. This makes it a way to combine cycling with insights into local winemaking.

History and geological evidence

The Commanderie de Jalès was founded by the Templars in 1140 and is considered one of France’s oldest surviving commanderies. Act’Jalès offers guided tours and games at the commandery. The founding year places the site in its historical context; guided tours and games are different ways to learn about the commandery.

The Granges necropolis contains at least around 30 dolmens of varying sizes. Dolmens in the Ardèche were built between 2500 and 1800 BC.

Another geological feature is the Berriasian stratotype. It lies in the bed of the Graveyron near the former quarries of Berrias and is one of the few stratotypes in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that are still valid.

Swimming in the Chassezac

In the Chassezac gorges near Casteljau, swimming is possible at a pebble beach. Swimming conditions can vary seasonally. This adds a riverside activity to the choice of cycling and cultural themes.

Discover more destinations: Malbosc, Le Roux, Vesseaux, Saint-Jean-Roure, Lafarre, Rochemaure, Saint-Didier-Sous-Aubenas, Lentillères

For the regional travel overview: Ardèche.