Saint-Privat: Hiking, Leisure and History

Saint-Privat can be explored through several specific themes: the “De l’Ardèche au Luol” circular hike, the Aire de loisirs de St Privat leisure area and historic buildings such as the canal des arrosants, the Pont-Vieux and the church. If you’re looking for a hotel in Saint-Privat, these highlights can help you decide whether hiking, play and sports facilities, or local history are especially important for your stay.

The “De l’Ardèche au Luol” circular hike

The circular hike starting in Saint-Privat is considered moderately difficult. It is 11.9 kilometres long, and the stated duration is 2 hours and 40 minutes. It also involves 335 metres of elevation gain and 335 metres of descent. Taken together, the distance, time and elevation give a more specific picture of the route than the difficulty rating alone. Use these details to plan your hike, and check the route information before setting out: the details may be revised.

The starting point is the information sign on Place des Jardins Publics in Saint-Privat. Check this route detail before your hike too, as access information may change. The route leads from the Ardèche plain into wooded hills above the Luol Valley and ends at the Ardèche and the Saint-Privat Canal. The information therefore describes both the change in landscape and the course of the circular route to its endpoint.

Play, sports and places to take a break

The Aire de loisirs de St Privat offers a different focus for planning your day than the circular hike. The leisure area has children’s play equipment, including a slide, swings, and spring riders and seesaws. It also has tennis courts, a boules court and a skate park. Picnic tables, a water point and shaded areas round out the facilities. The features fall into clear categories: play facilities, sports amenities and places to take a break are all available at this site. If you’re choosing between a marked hiking route and facilities at a leisure area for your stay, these details offer practical guidance.

The canal, bridge and church history

The 2.7-kilometre canal des arrosants was built in the early 17th century. The Pont-Vieux, a bridge in Saint-Privat, also dates from the 17th century. The information describes the two structures in different ways: for the canal, it gives its length and date of construction; for the Pont-Vieux, it notes its function as a bridge and its historical period. Together, they are two distinct historical landmarks in the townscape.

Two construction phases should be distinguished when it comes to the church. Its foundations date from the late 11th century; the present-day church was built in 1862. Historically, the church was a dependency of the Priory of Ucel, which was affiliated with the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Chaffre du Monastier. The information on the church thus connects its early origins with the later form of the present-day building and its historical ties. It is important to note that the date of the foundations and the construction year of the present-day church refer to different parts of its history.

Discover more destinations: Bidon, Saint-Martin-D'ardèche, Les Vans, Bogy, Labastide-sur-Bésorgues, Les Ollières-Sur-Eyrieux, Colombier-Le-Vieux, Saint-Vincent-De-Barrès

For the main travel overview: Ardèche.