Le Béage: Plateaus, Hiking and Heritage

Le Béage lies on the plateaus of the Ardèche, in the heart of the Massif du Mézenc, at an altitude of 1,200 metres. The village is located between Mont Gerbier de Joncs and Lac d’Issarlès. Hiking, the landscape of the Sucs and cultural heritage offer different ways to shape a stay. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the Montfol loop from visits to the Chartreuse de Bonnefoy: the hike can be assessed by its route profile, while special access conditions apply at the Chartreuse.

Hiking and the landscape of the Sucs

The “Au pays des sucs, le tour du Montfol” route is a moderately difficult loop covering 12.2 kilometres. It takes four hours and includes 360 metres of ascent. Taken together, the distance, duration and ascent give a clear picture of the time and physical effort involved; the moderate rating provides additional guidance. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

The loop crosses the Natura 2000 site “Secteurs des sucs Gerbier et Mézenc”. Its heathlands are home to animal and plant life that is rare at a European level. Also check the nature conservation guidance before your hike. The flat summit of Suc de la Lauzière offers an impressive view of the massif’s other Sucs; visibility depends on the weather.

The Rando-patrimoine Le Béage is a fun walking tour that introduces visitors to the heritage of several communities in the area. Cultural heritage itself provides the connecting thread, rather than focusing attention on a single named building.

Heritage and planning your visit

The ruins of the Chartreuse de Bonnefoy date from the 18th century. The surviving parts include the prior’s house, the square tower and the entrance pavilion. This identifies both the date and specific features of the complex.

Visits require special planning: the Chartreuse is privately owned and is not accessible outside guided tours. From the small car park on the edge of the site, it is a 500-metre walk; an information board is located there. The nave is currently closed to visitors because of severe damage. Check the visiting arrangements and access to the nave before travelling.

The site is also home to the contemporary artwork “De l’autre côté” by Stéphane Thidet. It is part of the Parcours artistique du Partage des Eaux. Check in advance whether the work will be on site during your visit.

The church of Le Béage, dedicated to Saint Peter, was built in 1862. It houses an embossed copper cross decorated with enamel, which comes from the Chartreuse de Bonnefoy. The church thus combines its own construction date with a piece of its furnishings whose origins are linked to the Chartreuse.

Discover more destinations: Le Pouzin, Le Roux, Montpézat-Sous-Bauzon, Saint Pons, Mercuer, Empurany, Boucieu-le-Roi, Genestelle

For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.