Les Châtelards - Dieulefit-Bourdeaux region

Start from the car park along the D540, below Parc Émile Loubet, in La Bégude-de-Mazenc.

(S/E) Take the D540 towards Dieulefit. After the roundabout, take the^second street on the left.

(1) Follow this street to the left, following the yellow and red markings of^{the GR®} de Pays. Climb the stairs and then the path. Enjoy the beautiful view of the village, then join a tarmac road. Continue to the Pierris crossroads.

(2) Leave the^GR® de Pays and its yellow and red markings to continue left, following the yellow markings. Walk past the cemetery and enter the old village. Pass under the church gate and reach the Châteauneuf junction at the foot of the belfry.

(3) Climb the steps and continue uphill to reach a path. Lovely view over the plain. Head left, then further on climb right onto a path through the woodland. Walk past the ruins of the old fortified castle, then emerge from the woodland at the Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel Chapel. Continue climbing gently to reach a cross, then descend to the left along a well-marked path. The descent, which is sometimes steep and winding, crosses scree slopes and emerges into the woods at Derrière-Château.

(4) Turn right, cut across the field and join a track, then the tarmac road to reach Perlonne.

(5) Continue left towards Souspierre, following the yellow and red markings of^{the GR®} de Pays once more. The road becomes a track, then a path, and further on joins a small road. Cross the Les Granges district and emerge onto the D179 at Souspierre.

(6) Take the road to the left for 400m (take care!) and at the crossroads, head up to the right onto the dead-end track. Before the Bayanne farm, turn left to climb the forest track and reach a ruined tower. Beautiful view over the Jabron valley. Continue through the forest to Combe Oursière.

(7) Leave the^GR® de Pays and follow the yellow markings to the right. Pass several ravines and descend along the Bridon ravine.

(8) As you approach the road, turn right to go round a building and take the path leading to the D540. Cross it (take care!) and take the small road opposite.

(9) Cross the bridge over the Jabron. Further on, leave the tarmac and turn right onto a wide path. Follow the Ruisseau de Chabotte and reach Espuy.

(10) Continue towards La Grande Pigne, following the stream. Pass by some springs, fords the stream and climb up to the right to reach La Grande Pigne.

(11) Cross the^GR® de Pays and continue through the woodland to descend to Le Grand Contour.

(12) Turn left to follow the ravine along a track suitable for vehicles to reach the D9.

(13) Turn right onto it (take care!) for 100m, then head down the track to the left. Ford the stream, climb up the opposite bank and turn right. Cross a wide track and continue through the woods alongside a stream.

(14) Ford the stream again and take the path on the right. Continue along the main track until you reach the hamlet of Maillet.

(15) Continue right along the small road, pass the hamlet of Le Serre and, further on, cross the D127 (take care!). About 200m further on, take the path on the right and cross the Ruisseau de Brive. Cut across the field and reach the La Grande Tuilière crossroads.

(16) Turn left and head for the Pont du Jabron.

(17) Take the D9 to the left, then left again onto the D540 to return to the starting point (S/E).

Please note! Dogs are not permitted, even on a lead.

It is strongly recommended that you take IGN map no. 3038SB with you. Hikers must be self-sufficient; professional guides are available if required. Emergency number: 18 or 112.
Information fromthe Dieulefit-BourdeauxTourist Office: 04 75 46 42 49 / ot@dieulefit-tourisme.com

Loubet Castle
Situated in the Émilie Loubet Park in La Bégude-de-Mazenc, this château was built in the 17th century on the site of a former medieval fortified house. Built on the initiative of Jacques d’Yze, it served as the summer residence from 1903 onwards of Émile Loubet, President of the Republic from 1889 to 1906.