Visit the village of Sauve located in the Gard between Quissac and Saint Hippolyte du Fort on the D999.
Park outside the village at the large shaded car park on the edge of the Vidourle, cross the bridge and follow the yellow markings.
Take the narrow streets and alleys above the village to find the signs indicating the Mer des Rochers, and don’t hesitate to wander through the charming medieval city on the way up.
Follow the markings as they gradually leave the village and emerge onto a limestone plateau embedded in the scrubland.
After a small horizontal portion we come to a sign providing directions; take the right fork (1) - yellow markings - in the direction of “les escaliers" leading to the the heart of the hike, the most spectacular part of the Mer des Rochers where the marked trail leads into chaos, with a sundial that was built on a small promontory.
The trail arrives at a further sign, turn left towards the Aven (2), the path will gradually expand to become a track.
A few hundred metres further on, turn left towards the Aven (3) located soon after on the right.
Remain cautious, the edges of the Aven do not have barriers.
Continue on the path to the next crossroads, then continue towards Roquevaire with the option to do a round trip of 200 to 300 m towards Plan Cabane (4) where several mazets (small buildings) are grouped together.
Returning to the main path, the road will soon pass between dry stone walls and along the side of Castle Roquevaire to finally reach the sign for the Mer des Rochers.
Pass through from point (1) to (2) crossing the chaos and at the end, this time take the direction of “les escaliers" (5); this beautiful stone path leads into the village.
Have another wander through the alleys, archways and other places sheltered by the buildings, and why not rest a while on the terrace of a bar or restaurant and enjoy the cool of the evening.
Mer des Rochers
A journey through both geological time and history, exploring the medieval village of Sauve and the chaos of the Mer des Rochers.
Technical sheet
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 5.47 km -
Average duration: 1h 50 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Return to departure point: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 81 m -
Vertical drop: - 79 m -
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Highest point: 156 m -
Lowest point: 95 m
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Country:
France
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Area: Massif central -
District:
Sauve (30610) -
Start/End: N 43.93984° / E 3.952247° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 2741ET, 2742ET -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 95 m - Car park along the Vidourle
- 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 155 m - Going right
- 2 : km 1.22 - alt. 146 m - To the left
- 3 : km 2.08 - alt. 132 m - Towards the karstic cave
- 4 : km 2.47 - alt. 131 m - Towards Plan Cabane
- 5 : km 4.18 - alt. 130 m - The stairs
- S/E : km 5.47 - alt. 95 m - Village
Practical information
This walk is to be avoided in the hottest hours of the day, it can be a very nice evening hike after 18:00.
On the Lapiaz take care to stay on marked trails because it is easy to get lost in this type of landscape without clear landmarks.
Remain cautious on the edge of the Aven, explored by Alfred Martel.
In the nearby area
The medieval city: the Mole tower, the Capuchin convent, Hotel de la Monnaie...
Musée de la Fourche museum of rural life.
The creators’ galleries.
Reviews and comments
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
Interesting place
But the walk that takes you further is a real pain. No view through the oaks at all times!
Very well described
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : May 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
We did the walk, which was great, but discovering the village of Sauve was magical!
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jan 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
First family hike. This was recommended to me and I found the route here. Super thanks 🤩
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jan 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
Superb stony paths. Don't forget your hiking boots.
And don't forget to pass through the village, where you'll see many old houses in different colours.
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Overall rating : 4.5 / 5
Date of walk : May 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
This is a very easy version of the route. It can be adapted as there are numerous trails. The site is well maintained. Even if the task on such large surfaces must be continuous. Thanks to all those who make it possible for us to enjoy our natural treasures to the full.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A short, very easy and enjoyable walk. Magnificent scenery and varied sections.
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Overall rating : 3 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes
I walked a lot at the mer de rochers in 1990 /2000
I was disappointed a fortnight ago. The trees and bushes have grown and it no longer looks like a sea of rocks.
Maybe nostalgia!!!
Always a pleasant walk above the village of Sauve.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Oct 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
we were all alone in the world in this chaotic setting. be careful not to take the path when it's raining as it's too slippery (you walk directly on the rocks).
a perfect little trail to find yourself somewhere else and take your children to a fairytale kingdom if you let your imagination find the "saviours"......
Morning walk and great restaurant after 3 km at the comptoir de l'Evesque
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
It's a lovely little family outing with a change of scenery. You can also visit the pretty village of Sauve.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Apr 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
retour en enfance pour moi et découverte pour mon épouse qui a adoré SAUVE avec ses maisons en pierre et tout le charme d'un village mediéval.sinon la marche dans la mer des rochers et vraiment a faire c'est a porté de tous mais bien être équipé de bonne chaussures car beaucoup de "caillasse" pierres sur le chemin. a faire au printemps ou après l'été car le soleil doit frapper fort en juillet ou aout.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Nov 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
A short, easy and pleasant hike, but you'll need good walking shoes, and definitely not trainers, as the part that crosses the rocks is (very!) stony.
The picturesque village of Sauve is well worth a visit.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A lovely looping route around these majestic rocks. Perfect for playing and wandering through these rocky mazes. Family-friendly, easy and fun.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A short walk requiring good shoes and winding through a maze of rocks that we only walked in one direction.
Worth seeing without getting too close to the famous karstic cave. A picnic at the Plan Cabane is obviously very pleasant. From there, we decided to retrace our steps and take a track leading to a number of properties and ending at the northern end of Sauve. Well marked on the IGN map.
It took us 1 hour 45 minutes, but we didn't have to rush.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
a very pleasant little climb at the start, then an easy walk in the shade at times
take good shoes as there are quite a few stones on the way
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