The Col de Bonne Rencontre with views of the Cévennes and Mont Ventoux

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The Col de Bonne Rencontre connects the two valleys of La Ligne and La Lande. Several hamlets perched on the heights offer magnificent views, on one side of the Cévennes, on the other of Mont Ventoux. You will pass through chestnut groves, olive groves, vineyards and sheep pastures. The hamlets, which bear witness to a thriving agricultural industry in the 19th century, have been beautifully restored and are well maintained.

Details

n°96459092
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.55 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 938 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 942 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,926 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,339 ft
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Description of the walk

The starting point is located above the hamlet of Joux. Coming from Largentière, the hamlet is situated between the villages of Rocher and Chazeaux on the D235. After the sign for the Col de Bonne Rencontre, take the next road leading uphill to the left, then keep heading right until you reach the water reservoir. Parking is easy next to the reservoir (please do not block access, of course).

Yellow and white markings

(S/E) Take the DFCI track which descends through the chestnut groves, reaching the junction at Ranc Courbier.

(1) Leave the track, turn left to reach, via a gentle descent, the hamlet of Le Vaure.

(2) Keep to the left to begin an easy climb and reach the Vierge du Ranc Courbier.

(3) Continue downhill through a beautiful chestnut grove to reach the hamlet of Joux.

(4) Turn right onto the paved slanting street leading downhill to reach the Col de Bonne Rencontre.

(5) Turn right and you will very quickly come to the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Bonne Rencontre.

(6) Walk past it, then keep to the right on the forest track to reach the Croix des Flacheres.

No signposting

(7) Turn left onto the path indicated by the sign. This path is narrow, stony and sometimes steep. Walk past olive and chestnut groves to reach the hamlet of Montquoquiol.

(8) On leaving the hamlet, take the path on the right which winds its way alongside a vineyard. Then turn left at the sign for La Davalade until you reach the road of the same name.

Yellow and white markings

(9) Cross the road and head left onto the path leading to the hamlet of La Rouvière.

(10) Walk through the hamlet, then turn left onto Impasse de la Rouvière until you reach the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Bonne Rencontre.

(6) Take the path on the right, heading in the opposite direction to the outward journey, to return to the Col de Bonne Rencontre.

(5) Turn right onto Route de Chazeaux until you reach the hairpin bend before the hamlet of Mas Fayssier.

No signposting

(11) Turn left onto the road, almost 180°, and continue uphill, then head towards the hamlet of Joux. At the first houses, keep right to return to the car park next to the nature reserve (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,706 ft - Car park next to the nature reserve
  2. 1 : mi 0.61 - alt. 1,831 ft - Ranc Courbier
  3. 2 : mi 0.97 - alt. 1,673 ft - Le Vaure
  4. 3 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,906 ft - Vierge Ranc Courbier
  5. 4 : mi 2 - alt. 1,621 ft - The hamlet of Joux
  6. 5 : mi 2.16 - alt. 1,470 ft - Bonne Rencontre Pass
  7. 6 : mi 2.2 - alt. 1,467 ft - Notre Dame de Bonne Rencontre
  8. 7 : mi 2.61 - alt. 1,509 ft - Croix des Flachères
  9. 8 : mi 2.84 - alt. 1,591 ft - Hamlet of Montquoquiol
  10. 9 : mi 3.14 - alt. 1,358 ft - Towards the hamlet of La Rouvière
  11. 10 : mi 3.59 - alt. 1,421 ft - La Rouvière hamlet
  12. 11 : mi 4.06 - alt. 1,493 ft - Hamlet of Mas Fayssier
  13. S/E : mi 4.55 - alt. 1,706 ft - Car park next to the nature reserve

Notes

This description is Version 0 dated 19/05/2026.
Wear sturdy shoes.

Worth a visit

(3) Vierge Ranc Courbier: enjoy a magnificent panorama here over the Ligne Valley, the Cévennes and the Cham de Cros.
(6) Notre-Dame de Bonne Rencontre Chapel.
(7) Croix des Flachères: beautiful view over the Val de Ligne with its peak, the Cham du Cros (1,200 m).
Between (7) and (8): view of the hamlet of Montquoquiol and the southern Ardèche as far as Mont Ventoux. On a clear day, you can also see the Vercors, the Trois Becs massif and the Écrins.
(8) Hamlet of Montquoquiol: the Du Puy family, several generations of bell founders who arrived in the hamlet in the 16th century, lived here (mentioned at the Chapelle Bonne Rencontre). Their motto: “I am a bell founder, you shall be founders of virtue”!
(10) The hamlet of La Rouvière: note the excellent upkeep of the houses and, above all, the carriage gates,

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