Viewpoint from the Brison Tower from the Pont du Gua bridge

There are two parking options at the starting point: either park along the road or in the inn's car park directly in the hamlet of Le Gua.

The trail starts at a tiny ford on a concrete beam on the left over the Ruisseau de la Boucharade stream. The trail is marked with yellow and red GRP® signs all the way to the tower.

(S/E) Cross the ford and follow the GRP®. There is a first technical section right at the start with a very short steep slope where you may need to use your hands. Then climb up through the holm oaks, with a view of the valley opening up as you climb.

(2) Pass a pretty peasant ruin on the left as you climb and continue straight ahead

(3) Pay attention: there is a chapel built on the ridge just above the path (the base of a very old chapel wall). Continue climbing. Reach the ridge, where you may need to climb a few high steps, but this is not particularly difficult on the rocky sections. Halfway up, the GRP® leaves the rocky ridge and branches off to the left along the hillside. There is a short flat section before the second big climb.

(4) At the junction with a marked trail, turn right to begin the ascent to the Tour de Brison.

(5) The trail here turns into a climb up the rock face. This section may require you to use your hands and may seem "airy" to some people, but it is very short and turns back into a steep trail, ending on a small grassy platform. There are some nice boulders here that are ideal for beginners to try their hand at rock climbing. A final short steep climb leads naturally to the panoramic viewpoint of the Tour de Brison.

(6) You will discover a true 360° panorama at the Tour de Brison site. Two orientation tables are available: there are 36 villages in the surrounding area, nestled between the Cévennes and southern Ardèche, Mont Ventoux and Mont Blanc. The people of Ardèche love this viewpoint and enjoy trying to recognise all the surrounding villages.
Head south along a short stretch of the access road to the tower, then turn right onto a footpath which then turns into a track leading to the hamlet of Le Greil.

(7) Leave the hamlet by following the road, keep right at the fork and continue for another hundred metres, then follow a path on the right. It joins a road which you follow to the right for a hundred metres.

(8) Follow a wide forest track on the right, descending in the shade of a forest of pine trees and old chestnut trees.

(9) A sign indicates the Demeure Notre-Père, where two monks live who sometimes enjoy chatting and talking about their self-sufficient lifestyle. Continue along the track heading north.

(10) Cross a stream and continue along the track, which turns west for about 150 metres. Then follow a path on the right. Reach the hamlet of Le Gua (where, depending on the season, you can eat and drink at the inn).

(11) Follow the D203 to reach the Gua ford (S/E).

There are no water sources and few inhabited houses along the route.

To fully enjoy the panorama, it is best to choose a day with good weather to visit the Tour de Brison.

For the record, in the 12th century, the Tour de Brison was connected to the Château de Brison, which was contemporary with the other fortifications of Tauriers, Chassiers and Largentière.
Located at an altitude of 800 m, this watchtower was intended to help protect the silver mines of Largentière.
The last owner donated the Brison Tower to the municipality of Sanilhac in 1978.
Renovated in the late 1990s by the Friends of the Brison Tower association, it now serves as a watchtower used to detect fires within a radius of more than 100 km.

The legend of the Tower of Brison: the Lord of Brison, fighting in the Crusades, was taken prisoner. Believed to be dead, his wife married a neighbouring lord who was also a former enemy. The Devil then entered the lord's cell to tell him the news. He offered to take him to the castle to prevent the marriage in exchange for his soul.
Aged and emaciated, he was not recognised by his wife and banished Lucifer.
Furious, the Devil then sent a huge bolt of lightning that shook the tower and reduced it to ruins.
Legend has it that every 31st December, the Devil comes to take away a stone and that when the last one disappears, it will be the end of the world.

You can enjoy a wonderful swim under the Gua bridge.

The Auberge de la Boucharade is not open all year round.

Accommodation is available nearby on a self-catering or half-board basis for groups of 7 or more people.