The Oppidum of Saint-Vincent and the La Gardie tower via the Margelet hillsides

To reach the starting point, drive through Gaujac via the D310 then take the Chemin de l’Oppidum. If a diversion is in place, follow the signs, go down the Chemin de Barbotte then turn left onto the D310 and right onto the Chemin de l’Oppidum.
There is a small shaded car park at the start of the Chemin de l'Oppidum (dead end).

(S/E) Head south-west along a path (which is not the Chemin de l’Oppidum). After about 200 m, you will find the Romanesque Saint-Saturnin Chapel (viewpoint) below on the left.

(1) Return to the main path and continue south. At the fork that appears shortly afterwards, keep to the right.

(2) At the crossroads, go straight on and continue west, ignoring the paths branching off to the right. Then climb the winding path, ignoring the paths branching off to the right. At the junction of the path with the Chemin de l’Oppidum, turn left and then left again. The path leads directly to the ruins of the Baths of Fortuna on your left and the Square Temple of Apollo on your right (Oppidum Saint-Vincent).

(3) Continue along the path (north) towards the remains of the medieval village, followed by the entrance fortifications a little further down on your left. At the signpost marked “Sous l’oppidum”, follow the path on the left. At the next junction, go straight ahead (north-west) and you will soon reach the signpost marked “La Gardie”.

(4) Then turn left towards the viewpoint and the orientation table. You’ll come out onto a path; follow it to the left to quickly reach the summit.

(5) Retrace your steps to the signpost marked "La Gardie" below the fortifications.

(4) Return to the main path towards Gaujac (left, north-west). At the signpost for "La Peire Planta" (elevation 206), follow the path on the left towards Margelet. At the signpost for "Margelet", turn right towards Gaujac and the Rouvière wash house via the lower path from Margelet.

(6) At the signpost for “Lavoir de la Rouvière”, turn right and discover the wash house, which dates from 1885. Continue along the path, skirting the Margelet vineyard. You will come out onto the Chemin des Faysses; follow it to the right. Continue along the tarmac path back to the starting point (S/E).

Nothing to bring except water.
A shaded walk suitable for children; pushchairs are not recommended.

The flora is interesting to observe, with Mediterranean vegetation predominating: holm oak and Kermes oak, arbutus, broom, mastic, butcher’s broom, Cistus albidus and Cistus monspeliensis, pink heather, ...

Nearby:
- Caesar’s Camp
- Caesar’s Camp at Laudun-L’Ardoise
- La Capelle and Masmolène