Saint-Joseph-Des-Bancs: Hiking and Heritage

Saint-Joseph-Des-Bancs lies in the upper Sandron Valley. Hiking and heritage offer clear themes for planning a trip: a section of the GRP Haute Cévenne d’Ardèche starts in the village, and other hikes lead through chestnut groves or to mills. The landscape along the ridge and historic landmarks complete the picture. If you are looking for a hotel, this guide can help you decide what to focus on during your stay; assess a hotel’s specific location and amenities based on its individual listing.

Landscape between valley and ridge

Two tributaries of the Sandron surround the commune. Small stone bridges can be found on both rivers, adding a built feature to the landscape. La Paille is another landmark: a former inn once stood there at an altitude of 915 metres on a significant ridge. The ridge stretches from the Ardèche plateau to the Massif du Coiron and separates the Cévennes to the south from the Boutières to the north. The valley and ridge thus offer different points of reference for understanding the landscape around Saint-Joseph-Des-Bancs.

Hikes and mill trails

The second stage of the GRP Haute Cévenne d’Ardèche starts in Saint-Joseph-des-Bancs and is 18.55 kilometres long. The La Paille hike also starts in the village. On the Le Mazel hike, the route passes through old chestnut groves to the Moulin de Raoul. The starting point is at the “SAINT-JOSEPH-DES-BANCS” Info-Rando sign in the church square, at an altitude of 660 metres. This makes it possible to take specific local and landscape features into account when planning, without treating the different routes as one and the same.

Another hike follows the Moulet Valley and passes an old mill with its Estenche, a sluice used to store water. The route reaches the road in the hamlet of La Croze via a calade, a traditional stone-paved path. Conditions can change on hiking trails; this also applies to the GRP stage’s waymarking. Check the latest trail information before setting out.

Church, Roman road, and waterwheel

The remains of an old Roman road can be followed on foot from Saint-Joseph-des-Bancs to Champ de Mars. This combines a hike with a historic route. In the village, the Petite Église has a bell gable, a type of structure in which the bell opening is set in the gable front. A copy of the painting “L’Annonciation” was made between 1873 and 1875 for the church of Saint-Joseph-Des-Bancs in the Ardèche.

The Moulin de Raoul has an overshot waterwheel with a diameter of four metres. In this type of mill, water is directed onto the wheel from above. The mill can be visited when there is sufficient water flow, by prior arrangement; be sure to arrange your visit in advance. The mill offers a different perspective on the village’s history than the Roman road remains or the religious landmarks.

Activities and local features

Fishing is possible in the two tributaries of the Sandron. Check the applicable regulations before going fishing. The village also has an outdoor swimming pool in a sports complex. As availability and opening hours may change seasonally, check the latest information before your visit. Shady picnic spots at the foot of the mountains offer another way to plan time outdoors.

Baking bread in ovens is another local tradition: bread is still baked in ovens in some hamlets. Together with the rivers, trails, and historic buildings, this gives the commune a varied character. When choosing a hotel, you can consider whether you would like to focus your stay mainly on hiking, the landscape, or heritage.

Discover more destinations: Le Cheylard, Ardoix, Félines, Saint-André-En-Vivarais, Nonières, Mayres, Nozières, Villeneuve-De-Berg.

For the full travel overview: Ardèche.