Ansignan–Le Vivier circular route, starting from Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet

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A cycle ride through the Fenouillet region along small roads offering varied landscapes ranging from vineyards to forests. The villages are small and seem frozen in a bygone era. This route features some steep climbs and fairly fast descents.

Details

n°103851785
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  • Road cycling
    Activity: Road cycling
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.39 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 1h 34 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,017 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,253 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,604 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 650 ft
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Description of the route

Start from the car park at Place Pierre Mendès France, in the Le Réal housing estate, at the end of Rue Gilbert Brutus.

(S/E) Leave the housing estate and follow Rue Gilbert Brutus. At the next junction, turn left, then left again at the end of Rue Louis Noguère, passing the Emergency Centre. Carry on straight ahead onto the D619 until you reach the Clue de la Fou and the Roman bridge spanning the Agly, with the ancient thermal baths on your right and the hot springs (28°C) on your left. This is also the start of the Via Ferrata. Continue for a few metres to the next junction.

(1) Continue along the D619 to the left towards Ansignan. At the entrance to the village, there is a view of the Roman aqueduct and the Agly valley.

(2) Drive through the village and continue on the D619 towards Sournia until you reach the junction with the D9.

(3) Take the hairpin bend to the right onto the D9, towards Le Vivier, and continue to the junction with the D7.

(4) Carry on straight ahead on the D7, towards Le Vivier, until you reach the village.

(5) Stay on the D7. The village is dominated by the castle ruins. Carry on to the junction with the D9 at the bottom of the descent.

(6) Turn right onto the D7, towards Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet.

(7) Ignore Saint-Martin-de-Fenouillet on your right and continue on the D7, taking care as the descent is very steep. Join the D619 and the route you have already taken.

(1) Turn left and follow the route in reverse to Place Pierre Mendès France (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,099 ft - Place Pierre Mendès France
  2. 1 : mi 1.01 - alt. 814 ft - Return route - Agly (fleuve)
  3. 2 : mi 5.7 - alt. 768 ft - D619, towards Sournia - Aqueduc d'Ansignan
  4. 3 : mi 7.82 - alt. 843 ft - D9, towards Le Vivier - Desix (rivière) - Affluent de l'Agly
  5. 4 : mi 10.69 - alt. 1,417 ft - D7, towards Le Vivier
  6. 5 : mi 11.2 - alt. 1,398 ft - Le Vivier, D7
  7. 6 : mi 11.55 - alt. 1,417 ft - D7, towards Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet
  8. 7 : mi 13.26 - alt. 1,480 ft - D7, towards Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet
  9. S/E : mi 19.39 - alt. 873 ft - Place Pierre Mendès France

Notes

There is no drinking water in the villages you pass through, except on the outskirts of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet at the Clue de la Foue, a thermal spring at around 28°C.

Worth a visit

In Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, visit the Chapter House, the museum and its 14th-century church with its altarpiece. Visit the Gorges de Galamus and its hermitage. It is best to explore them on foot.
In Ansignan, visit the Roman aqueduct and the ruins of the old mill.
Stop off at Maury to discover the many ‘trompe-l’œil’ paintings.
All these villages have cooperative wineries.

Other walks in the area

Road cycling Through vineyards and orchards via Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes

Visorando Member
↔15.61 mi ↗+587 ft ↘-614 ft ◔1h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet (Pyrénées-Orientales)
A short cycle ride through the vineyards and orchards. No particular difficulties apart from a steep descent before reaching Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, and the final section being along the D117,

Road cycling The Agly Valley and the Wine Route via Maury

Visorando Member
↔14.22 mi ↗+1,060 ft ↘-1,086 ft ◔2 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet (Pyrénées-Orientales)
A pleasant cycle ride through part of the Fenouillèdes region, taking in the ancient thermal baths of Saint-Paul, its hot springs at 28°C and its Via Ferrata. The route follows part of the River Agly, then climbs to offer views of the Canigou mountain range and the village of Maury with its trompe-l’œil murals and its AOP wine.

Road cycling Lake Caramany, via the Agly Valley and the Wine Route

Visorando Member
↔20.47 mi ↗+1,345 ft ↘-1,371 ft ◔1h 36 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet (Pyrénées-Orientales)
A pleasant 33 km route through the Fenouillèdes, following the Agly as far as Ansignan and Lake Caramany, then climbing towards the villages of Lansac and Lesquerde. This is part of the Wine Route. For enthusiasts, there are numerous dolmens to see.

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