Saint-Jean-Roure: Routes and Rochebonne

Saint-Jean-Roure can be explored through a range of scenic and cultural highlights: forest paths with views of three distinctive mountains, a mountain biking circuit, a wooded high plateau and the ruins of Rochebonne. Two of the circuits are each 11 km long, but differ in how they are described. There are also horse rides on request and a craft workshop specialising in jewellery. When planning your trip, you can choose how to balance scenery, activity, historic sites and crafts.

Routes, scenery and choosing a trail

The Circuit de Beauvert is an 11 km circuit that starts and ends above the church in Saint-Jean-Roure. It follows forest paths and offers numerous views of Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Mont Sara and Mont Mézenc. It also heads towards Le Puy-en-Velay along part of the Chemins de Compostelle. Forest paths, mountain views and a section of these routes come together on this trail.

Le Devès is an 11 km mountain biking circuit across the heights of Saint-Jean-Roure and Beauvert. It starts and ends at the church in Saint-Jean-Roure and passes through agricultural landscapes between the Plateau Ardéchois and the Eyrieux Valley. Compared with the Circuit de Beauvert, the distinction is clear: both routes are the same length, but Le Devès foregrounds mountain biking and the stretch of agricultural landscape, while Beauvert features forest paths and numerous mountain views.

The Trail de l’Aygueneyre crosses a wooded and farmed plateau at an altitude of more than 1,000 m. Its elevation and combination of woodland and cultivated land add another scenic dimension alongside the mountain views on Beauvert and the landscapes between the Plateau Ardéchois and the Eyrieux on Le Devès. If you want to distinguish routes by their surroundings, the trail offers another point of comparison.

Rochebonne: ruins and valley views

At the Ruines du château de Rochebonne, two distinct periods of construction can be identified. The remains include a square tower dating from the 11th or 12th century, as well as adjoining structures from the 15th century. These dates refer to different parts of the site and offer a concrete way to understand its building history: the tower and adjoining buildings represent two different periods.

A winding path leads to the platform where the remains are located. The ruins overlook the Eyrieux Valley. At Rochebonne, the route and the surrounding landscape come together, while the architectural details provide a separate point of reference for understanding the site.

Horse rides and crafts

Les Écuries de Champsac offer horse rides in Saint-Jean-Roure on request. You can explore paths with beautiful viewpoints. If a horse ride is important to your trip plans, note that it is offered on request.

Another facet is L’Arbre de Cristal, a craft workshop specialising in making jewellery from natural stones and 925 sterling silver. This brings materials and jewellery-making into the picture alongside the themes of scenery and architectural history. If you are interested in design, this specialisation offers another concrete point of interest.

Discover more destinations: St. Julien Du Serre, Saint-Clément, Saint-André-de-Cruzières, Tauriers, Mauves, Le Cheylard, Bidon, Lablachère.

For the wider travel guide: Ardèche.