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Park in the car park of the new Orsan boules court (near the schools, medical centre and market hall).
(S/E) Walk through the courtyard of the post office, then the town hall, if it is open, otherwise walk up the car park at the school square. Walk up the main avenue of the village towards the Soleïade restaurant. Take the street on the left, opposite the café. Go around Saint Martin's Church, passing in front of its steps, then go up the alley to the Tour d'Orsan. Continue through the village from the small square of the Aviateur to discover the Tour d'Orsan.
(1) Continue along the Laudun road past the Lavoir d'Orsan, then turn right up Avenue du Jasset. Pass the statue of Notre Dame du Jasset and continue straight up the hill. Cross the Canto Grillet neighbourhood, then the beginning of Les Auvergnasses. At the top of the neighbourhood near the vineyards, at the fork, take the road on the left that leads to the recent houses of Les Diligences, then, as soon as possible, take the road on the right again, which ends on a path. Leave the village and take the Passage des Loups path.
(2) Continue straight ahead on this path, which passes between the meadows and then enters the forest. This is where the slopes of the Plateau de Lacau begin. Shortly afterwards, at the main crossroads, follow the signs, take the path towards the Passage des Loups, then continue uphill. The slope is steep. After a good quarter of an hour of climbing through the woods, you will finally arrive at the legendary place where the golden goat once passed. Pass through the narrow wolf's passage (fun!). You will arrive at the Camp de César plateau.
(3) Continue along the path towards the famous ruins, passing by the viewpoints. Continue along the cliff. Then, when indicated, head towards the ruins of the Gallo-Roman Oppidum.
(4) Explore the ruins, which are very interesting and informative. Continue through the village to the area before the start of the path that descends to Laudun, which is the official entrance to the site. Then turn right towards the wall. Pass by a statue with a hammer, then continue on to reach the Belvédère de Laudun.
(5) Return to the ruins by taking the path that follows the small defensive wall. Return to the archaeological site.
(4) Take the path that leads into the heath in the heart of the plateau. This pretty zigzagging path takes you to the ruined chapel of Saint-Jean-de-Rouzigues, near the Passage du Loup.
(6) After your visit, continue along this path away from the cliff. Descend gradually and rejoin the Valligiuère forest track, which is also a D.F.C.I. (Defence des Forêts Contre l'Incendie - Forest Fire Defence). Turn left. After a few minutes, at the first clear junction on the track, turn right, heading north. The track then forms a very long straight line downhill, called the Chemin de Valliguière. Reach the République picnic area, near the Orsan water pumping station.
(7) Continue along the paved road that descends towards the village. After a few minutes, the forest gives way to vineyards. Continue towards the new Plateau de Lacau housing development. Continue straight ahead, passing by the retention basin, and take the street opposite, which descends towards the village. At the crossroads, which is slightly tricky for cars, turn right. Go down Rue de la Pise. Pass in front of the Orsan Lodge, then arrive back at Place du Lavoir. Return to the centre of the village, following the main road. You will come back to the Tour d'Orsan crossroads.
(1) Pass in front of Square du Vieux Rempart and La Soleïade restaurant, then continue straight ahead. Cross Square Ribière with the Croix d'Orsan on your right, then turn into the small perpendicular street a few metres further on, Rue de la Vignasse. Return to the village's main square, passing by Les Halles du Marché, and head for the boules court car park (S/E).
clear, shaded path, sheltered from the wind.
The route is short, with little elevation gain, but it includes a steep climb and a rocky descent. However, these sections are also what make the hike so interesting!
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Easy 
