Discover Berzème on the Plateau du Coiron

Berzème lies on the Plateau du Coiron. A château, a Romanesque church, green landscapes and a summer competition offer different focal points for a stay. When planning your trip, first consider whether you are particularly interested in architectural history, walks, activities with donkeys or the Béret-throwing World Championship. This will help you match your travel dates with the topics that matter to you.

Château de Berzème and Arboretum

The Château de Berzème is the only fortified castle on the Plateau du Coiron. The residential building is made of basalt and is complemented by agricultural outbuildings. The façades and roofs of the residential building, as well as all the outbuildings, were listed as Monuments historiques by decree on 28 February 1997. Thus, both the basalt residential building and the agricultural buildings are defining features of the complex. The Château de Berzème is not open to visitors; before visiting, check whether access arrangements have changed.

Near the Château de Berzème, a 20-hectare arboretum invites you to stroll among larches, cedars, sequoias, maples and other tree species. Here, a walk among a variety of trees adds an outdoor activity to the cultural and historical theme. When planning your days, you can distinguish between exploring the château complex and taking a walk in the arboretum.

Church and summer event

The Église Saint-Pierre de Berzème is a Romanesque church first mentioned in 1170. It has a wooden bell dating from the 18th century. These two dates point to different aspects of its history: the church is documented as far back as 1170, while the wooden bell dates from the 18th century. Along with the château, the church offers another cultural and historical focal point, distinguished from the fortified castle and its basalt residential building by its Romanesque style and bell.

Every summer, Berzème hosts the Béret-throwing World Championship. If you plan to travel for the competition, check the specific event dates for your intended stay. This annual summer event can be a distinct factor when choosing when to travel.

Landscape and activities on the Coiron

On the Plateau du Coiron, valleys and cliff-edge scenery give way to a vast, very green bocage plateau. Between Taverne and Berzème is a broad depression described as the opening of a volcano; the Claduègne rises within it. The landscape description thus includes both the transition from valleys and cliff edges to the plateau and a distinctive depression where a river has its source. Cattle, sheep and horse farming in Berzème continues to be shaped by expertise that respects local traditions. This traditionally rooted animal husbandry is another part of the area’s character, alongside its landforms.

Camin’âne rents out donkeys for self-guided rides on the Plateau du Coiron and its foothills. Half-day, full-day and multi-day rides are available. Camin’âne also offers tailor-made walks and can accompany multi-day tours for families or friends. For planning, you can consider two questions separately: how much time would you like to spend on the ride, and are you looking for a self-guided ride or the possibility of being accompanied on a multi-day tour? Check the current terms of the offer before making plans.

In Berzème, Camin’âne also sells cosmetic products made with donkey milk, produced in the Ardèche, directly to customers. In addition to walks and rides, the offer therefore includes a visitor service related to these products.

When to travel and how to find a hotel

For a summer trip, the date of the Béret-throwing World Championship may be a factor; for a stay with donkey activities, self-guided rides vary in duration, while tailor-made walks and the option of accompanied multi-day tours are also available. You can then compare specific hotel offers for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Saint Pons, Saint-Vincent-De-Barrès, Dompnac, Bessas, Savas, Berrias-Et-Casteljau, Saint-Lager-Bressac, Saint-Alban-En-Montagne.

Return to the main travel overview: Ardèche.