The Saint-Paul Chapel in Arnave

This route, which circles the village of Arnave, is particularly dedicated to visiting the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Paul, a jewel of tranquillity in a rural setting. From its promontory, it invites you to take your time and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Details

59083
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 371 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 363 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 846 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 554 m

Photos

Description of the walk

By car, north of Tarascon, head towards Mercus on the D618. On leaving Bompas, turn right onto the D20, Route des Corniches, lined with beautiful Romanesque chapels. In Arnave, park your car in the village square near the plane trees and the fountain.

(S/E) From the village square, at an altitude of 570 m, cross the Arnave bridge and turn right immediately. On the track, if you look carefully, you will see the chapel on its promontory from the top of Saint-Paul. After about ten minutes, near the stream, the track begins to climb. Once you have passed the wide meadows of Miédevièle and the reservoir on your right, the track begins to climb more and more steeply. Leave it after a steep climb of about 20 metres, as it disappears into the fields. Shortly afterwards, the path leads straight to the chapel. Turn around and take a look at the Arnave valley. With your breath now restored, finish this pleasant climb.

(1) At the Saint-Paul Chapel, at an altitude of 711 metres, take a moment to enjoy the view of the Tabe massif. Now take the time to appreciate the site, its beauty, its calm and its obvious charm. Head left towards the south for the Col d'Ussat. You will enter the Barthala Forest, where the slope is steep at first... but it doesn't last long! A grove of oak trees at the small pass marks a pleasant slowdown. Descend, ascend, descend, and you will pass to the right of the Orri de Pédissol.
From the Pédissol plateau at an altitude of 746 metres, turn right. Soon you will reach the last hairpin bends of the climb, which will take you to the pass after a little effort.

(2) The Col d'Ussat, at an altitude of 843 m, offers a bird's eye view of the valley, with its numerous pastures and orchards. The Cazenave, Arnave, Ornolac and Tarascon trails intersect here. Your path leaves the pylon towards the east and plunges determinedly to the left towards Cammassan and Franquo (Franque). The Franque path takes you back to the D20.

(3) Follow it left up to the bridge, then to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 565 m - Village car park
  2. 1 : km 1.18 - alt. 709 m - Saint-Paul Chapel
  3. 2 : km 2.83 - alt. 845 m - Col d'Ussat (843m)
  4. 3 : km 4.29 - alt. 626 m - D20 on the left
  5. S/E : km 5.15 - alt. 565 m - Village car park

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 35 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 11033050

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike

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Droopy91
Droopy91

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, well-shaded walk that takes you past Saint Paul's Chapel to the Col d'Ussat, where you can stop for lunch in the shade before heading back down to Arnave.
However, to avoid returning along the road, we recommend that before reaching point 3, you take the path between the two houses on your right. This will take you into the forest, climbing upwards and bending to the right before reaching an intersection where you should take the forest track on your left. Follow it until you reach Le Castelet road, where you will see a beautiful stone building in front of you. Walk along the boundary wall on your left for 25 metres before rejoining the path that branches off to the right just around the corner. Continue along this path until you reach Arnave. This way, the entire walk will have been in the woods, sheltered from the heat.
For our four-legged friends: there is practically no water on the route except at the start and finish. We came across a tiny stream on the way back, so remember to bring water for your dogs, especially in hot weather.

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Adeavey
Adeavey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that is fairly easy but climbs a little in some places

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Symphonie
Symphonie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I love this chapel. I never get tired of it.

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PaulDel
PaulDel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route in the shade when it's hot
The chapel is worth a visit
Follow Viso Randonnée carefully and not the yellow markings

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Yves Rom
Yves Rom

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Short walk

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RFC31500
RFC31500

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike despite... two climbs that were a little steep for legs tired by the years!
The atmosphere around the chapel is as pleasant as ever.
most of the route is in the forest. It's probably nice in summer when it's warm, but it means you don't get to see much of the surrounding area.
At the end of the route, we took the marked path (in yellow) that passes near the castle before reaching Arnave.

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Flo7831
Flo7831

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice hike, not very long but with some very steep sections. Not recommended for those looking for a leisurely stroll, but for everyone else, go for it!

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libellule1452
libellule1452

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There is a slight discrepancy in the description between points 1 and 2. If you follow the signs on site, you will take a longer, steeper route, but it's nothing serious!
The high-voltage power lines spoil the landscape and especially the pass.
The chapel, which is currently being renovated, was open.
Arnave is a very pretty village with lots of fountains and a wash house.

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SonicBug
SonicBug

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice short hike. Work on the chapel has been completed and the restoration is a success. However, the view is often spoiled by pylons and power lines. Done in two hours with two boys aged 11 and 14, without rushing.

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Bienaimé31
Bienaimé31

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike. The chapel is still undergoing renovation. Difficult to find the path at the foot of the pylons at the Col d'Ussat on the way back.

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Roel964
Roel964

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

We found the hike a bit disappointing: quite steep and only a few nice views.

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Nofal
Nofal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It should be noted, however, that the climbs are very steep (as is the descent on the way back), so we took longer than indicated, with numerous breaks to recover....
But the hike is magnificent and the view is not to be missed....
I was told about the ruins of a salt warehouse, but we couldn't find them...

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lc81
lc81

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike with plenty of shade.
Beautiful views from the various passes.
Please note that the chapel is still undergoing renovation work for another year, we were told. Scaffolding and building materials prevent direct access. The roof is currently being repaired, so access to the interior is impossible.
The climb to the chapel is steep from the start of the walk from the centre of Arnave.

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xaviermalbreil
xaviermalbreil

Why not? To be continued...

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