Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades: Hiking and Romanesque Art

The moderate “Autour du volcan” loop and the Romanesque Église Saint-Cirice offer two distinct starting points for planning your trip to Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades. The route is listed as 5.24 km long, takes two hours, and is marked in yellow and white. It goes around the Coupe de Jaujac, not over the ridges, and descends via a calade to the hamlet of Les Hugoux; in 1179, the Église Saint-Cirice was among the possessions of the Abbey of Saint-Chaffe de Monastier.

Hiking in Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades

The “Autour du volcan” loop starts and ends at the town hall square (Place de la mairie). It is listed as a moderately difficult hiking route, taking two hours and covering 5.24 km. The time and distance are useful for planning your day: one indicates how long the hike takes, the other how long the loop is. Yellow-and-white trail markers identify the route.

The route goes around the Coupe de Jaujac, but not over the ridges. A calade leads down to the hamlet of Les Hugoux. The Source du Peschier is also visible from the route. Themes along the way include chestnut groves, fauna and flora, and historical and religious heritage. Alongside the route details, the hike therefore focuses on both its precise course and its natural and cultural heritage. A calade is a paved path; on the “Autour du volcan” route, this section descends to the hamlet of Les Hugoux.

Another circular route is no. 14, “Les panoramas de Prunet”; it also passes through Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades.

Romanesque Art and Local History

The Église Saint-Cirice is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. This date places the building in its art-historical context. In 1179, the church was among the possessions of the Abbey of Saint-Chaffe de Monastier. The year adds a specific ownership connection to the stylistic context. If you are interested in local history, the church offers both an art-historical and a medieval point of interest. Exhibitions of paintings and sculptures have also been held at both the Église Saint-Cirice and the event hall in Saint-Cirgues-de-Prades.

Getting There from Aubenas

To travel from Aubenas, follow the N102 to Lalevade-d’Ardèche, then take the D19 towards Jaujac. One kilometre before Jaujac, take the D323 to Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades. The kilometre marker refers to Jaujac and indicates where to leave the D19 for the D323, making it easy to follow the described approach in stages. The “Autour du volcan” route starts and ends at the town hall square (Place de la mairie).

Discover more destinations: Saint Pons, Saint-Sauveur-De-Cruzières, Saint Basile, St. Andéol De Berg, Issarlès, Saint-Genest-De-Beauzon, Laboule, Saint Agreve

Return to the main travel overview: Ardèche.