The Chapel of Aleyrac and the Cammaous Bridge

This short hike, located between the villages of Fontanès and Vacquières, crosses the famous vineyards of Pic Saint-Loup and forests of pine and holm oak, leading you to a superb chapel listed as a historic monument and the 11th-century Pont des Cammaous bridge.

Details

7099514
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 118 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 123 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 173 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 94 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Vacquières (34270)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.811439° / E 3.929676°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2742ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small square along the D107E2 where a large telephone network antenna has been installed.
Do not park in the car park at the entrance to Domaine Le Duc, which is private!

(S/E) Head north-west, following theGRP® trail of Grand Pic Saint-Loup. Cross a road. You will come out onto another road. Follow it to the left until you reach Domaine de Lascours. Cross the hamlet and continue to Chapelle d'Aleyrac.

(1) After visiting the site, leave theGRP® and climb the path, continuing north for 350 m until you reach a small pass. Cross the embankment on the right at the corner of the field and look for a vague path that climbs steeply between the thickets.

(2) Follow this path along the hillside, which slopes gently eastwards to reach the crest of the hill in the undergrowth of holm oaks. Follow it, weaving your way between the trees. There isn't really a path, except for the one made by hunters and local wildlife: keep in mind to stay on the ridge heading northeast, passing near altitudes 172 and then 163. In some places, follow an old, collapsed dry stone wall. On the descent, the path widens to arrive at a cross not far from the D107E2.

(3) Take the road on the right for 150 metres and turn left towards Laudou. Without entering the hamlet, after a left/right turn, turn left onto Chemin des Vignes, which leads to a bridge over the Brestalou.

(4) Cross it and turn right onto the dirt track. At the next crossroads, turn left and then immediately right, continuing for about 300 metres. At the fork, turn right again and follow the riverbank. This path leads to the D109.

(5) Turn left onto the D109 towards Vacquières. At the entrance to the village, turn right onto Chemin des Cammaous, then left before the river to reach the historic Cammaous bridge.

(6) Cross the bridge over the Brestalou. After the bridge, turn right and after 100 m, turn left onto a path that climbs slightly southwards. Continue for a good kilometre to reach a multiple junction of three paths and the road. Take the second path on the left and continue to the junction at elevation 111.

(7) Then turn right. Further on, cross the road and continue to the Bergerie de Rouvière.

(8) Pass the sheepfold and head south on the path that turns southwest along a vineyard. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the other paths on the right and left. Walk along the fence of the Le Duc holiday village, cross the D109 and arrive at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 138 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 2.38 - alt. 132 m - Aleyrac Chapel
  3. 2 : km 2.64 - alt. 149 m - Small pass
  4. 3 : km 4.27 - alt. 116 m - Cross on the Manset Bridge
  5. 4 : km 5.34 - alt. 104 m - Bridge over the - Brestalou (rivière) - Affluent du Vidourle
  6. 5 : km 7.12 - alt. 102 m - Vacquières road
  7. 6 : km 8.48 - alt. 97 m - Cammaous Bridge
  8. 7 : km 10.04 - alt. 111 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 11.27 - alt. 129 m - Rouvière sheepfold
  10. S/E : km 12.78 - alt. 138 m - Car park

Notes

Please note: this hike does not follow marked trails exclusively. You must have a good sense of direction and be able to read a map. The GPX track may be useful.

Worth a visit

(1) Notre-Dame d'Aleyrac Chapel: 11th-century apse, chapel body subsequently remodelled.
Beautiful view of Pic Saint-Loup and Hortus.
(7) Historic 11th-century Cammaous Bridge.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
pescalune
pescalune

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route. After the Aleyrac Chapel, the little path on the right is easy to spot – you just need to look carefully. The views of the Hortus and Pic Saint-Loup are superb. Thank you for this lovely experience.

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sucre
sucre

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, with the beautiful Aleyrac chapel; no particular difficulties. You need to stay alert after the chapel in the holm oak woodland, as several unmarked paths lead off in various directions.
Lovely views of Pic St Loup and L'Hortus.

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M.SANCHE
M.SANCHE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with stunning views of Pic St Loup and the Hortus, not to mention the Aleyrac Chapel (a shame it was closed) and the Cammaous Bridge

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lechime
lechime

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike with diverse and varied landscapes: woodlands and vineyards
Only one slightly steep climb

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User 28262802

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family hike, but be careful after spot number 2, which is poorly signposted on the way up. It's a shame about the section crossing the road bridge at Vacquieres to reach the Calmais bridge. I decided to take a chance and crossed the Brestalou with my shoes in my hand, BUT the result was some great family memories, albeit with wet feet for some of us 😂

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kris.teyran
kris.teyran

Thank you, Rosie, for warning future hikers to be careful when approaching the flock of sheep.

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Rosie
Rosie
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were delighted to have done this hike this autumn in glorious sunshine and very mild temperatures.
The route is very easy to access and well described overall, except perhaps for the section through the holm oak forest, which has quite a few different paths. We had a little trouble deciding which one to take, but in the end, it wasn't unpleasant to feel a little lost in nature, and the GPS quickly put us back on the right track! :-)
We were glad we had brought a small picnic, as the two stone tables near the Cammaous bridge (a lovely discovery!) were free and we were able to enjoy this charming break to the full.
We hardly met anyone except for a very unpleasant shepherd, between points 6 and 7 I think (perhaps the owner already mentioned in previous comments), who almost attacked us, accusing us of scaring his flock. The flock was standing still on the path, so we tried to pass through with our dog on a leash, but according to him, we should have taken another route to avoid his sheep because his dogs could have attacked us to defend the flock. In short, my advice is to let the flock pass or go around it if you see it.
Apart from this minor incident, we have fond memories of this hike :-)

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User 27496451

with pleasure; thank you for your feedback.

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caroline34830
caroline34830

Thank you,
I designed this route, which you have now completed. Two hours of hiking, a meal in a comfortable location, and two hours for the return journey.
I look forward to seeing you.

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User 27496451

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed by three people on 10 September 2025, following the GPX file. This route is very well described. The elevation gain is low; there are no particular difficulties. At certain points, the trails have fairly large rocks, so proper footwear is required. Leaving at around 10 a.m. from the starting point, you arrive between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. at the Cammaous bridge, where there are two picnic tables (and rubbish bins): very convenient.
We recommend it.

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ENO
ENO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A stroll between vineyards and forest. The most beautiful and interesting part is between points 2 and 3, through the forest.

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User 18209283

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, varied and easy hike. We occasionally missed some junctions, but this did not result in any significant detours.

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CHEVELU Jean-marc
CHEVELU Jean-marc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, peaceful hike, well guided by the GPX file. Then a visit to Lake Ceceles, which is well worth the detour.
Worth doing again.

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AryDan
AryDan

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk through vineyards, wooded areas and small historical sites.

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bernbla
bernbla
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this hike.
A beautiful, easy walk. The GPX route is very good and very easy to follow. No problems in section 2 between the chapel and the small pass; the path is clear enough that you won't get lost. It's a shame that the two tables at the Cammaous bridge were occupied, so we had to have our picnic a little further away.
This hike is suitable for families.

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