From washhouses to fountains. So much water!

Starting point and car park at the harbour or the motorhome site (D930).

(S/E) Head south-east, cross Avenue Ernest Vila at the bridge (on your right) and, following the River Baïse, take Chemin des Plapès opposite for 900 m, leaving the botanical trail on your left.

(1) When you reach the D571 (former railway line), turn left towards the motorhome park, then take the short path on the right to the Lavoir de Hount de Las.
Head back and walk along the road towards the village centre, passing the basketball hall, built on top of the stands of the old amphitheatre, near an old quarry.

(2) Just before the water tower, turn left onto the path that runs behind the houses, leading to the Place des Pyrénées.

Turn left and follow the ramparts on the south side to reach the Porte de l’Hérisson and enter the bastide.

(3) Take Rue de la Porte d’Espagne, then, at the Grande Rue, turn left (don’t miss the Espace Bastide). You’ll arrive at the square with arcades, featuring the church and its belvedere. Take Rue Branly, opposite the church, all the way to the end.

Turn right onto Rue Saint-Jean. At the large well, continue right onto Rue de la République, then turn left to reach Place Voltaire via the street of the same name.

(4) At the far end of the square, turn left onto Avenue des Acacias and, before the long descent, take the path on the left that follows the cliffs to reach the fortified gate, Porte de l’Hérisson.

(3) Follow the route back for a few metres, then turn right onto Côte de l’Hérisson. Cross the D939 and arrive at the harbour car park (S/E).

Car park:
Port de Valence
or
motorhome area (D930)

Toilets:
Rue Jules Ferry (opposite the chemist’s)
Port of Valence
Motorhome stopover

Elevation
Minimum altitude 80m
Maximum altitude 120m

Mountain bike route:
Suitable for mountain bikes

Picnic spots:
Port, church park, Place des Pyrénées, motorhome site,
Hount de Las washhouse, Place Voltaire

Restaurants:
La Barge: Valence Harbour
La Table d’Emma and Le Massalet: Village square

From the harbour, take the Chemin des Plapès and walk past a cherry orchard before reaching the old public baths, below the botanical trail (alternative route). Then, a pleasant woodland path follows a bend in the River Baïse.
The Hount de Las washhouse is the oldest in the village (^19th century). It is fed by a spring and by rainwater, thanks to the roof which provides shelter for the washerwomen. Behind it lies a remnant of the railway bridge.
Before the 1960s and the construction of the village hall, a pond (known as Plan du Haut) ran alongside the road. Opposite, a washhouse dating from the 1950s is awaiting restoration. At the entrance to the Grande Rue, near the old tower gate, the first well comes into view.
Below the Porte de l’Hérisson, there is an old fountain, followed by a second one at the bottom of the grassy path – reminders of the many springs typical of karst landscapes.
Finally, a superb well on Place Voltaire (formerly known as Plan du Bas, which once featured a basin and a washhouse), two wells on Rue Saint-Jean and three on Place de la Mairie serve as a reminder that a vast water table lies beneath your feet.
A sign at the harbour recounts the history of the ‘Rivière d’Argent’.