Mer des Rochers

de fr

A journey through both geological time and history, exploring the medieval village of Sauve and the chaos of the Mer des Rochers.

Details

n°40093
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 81 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 79 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 156 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 95 m
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The Vidourle
Roquevaire Castle

Description of the walk

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.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 95 m - Car park along the Vidourle
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 155 m - Going right
  3. 2 : km 1.22 - alt. 146 m - To the left
  4. 3 : km 2.08 - alt. 132 m - Towards the karstic cave
  5. 4 : km 2.47 - alt. 131 m - Towards Plan Cabane
  6. 5 : km 4.18 - alt. 130 m - The stairs
  7. S/E : km 5.47 - alt. 95 m - Village

Notes

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.

Worth a visit

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
Based on 85 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 25445264

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely walk

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User 4490963

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We were delighted with the Rando La Mer des Rochers hike, but we searched for the Aven, a karstic cave 90 metres in diameter, and we are still looking for it, which is a bit disappointing. If you do this hike, wear good shoes because there are lots of rocks to climb and take walking sticks if you have them, as they will help you stabilise yourself on the descent and help you climb

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titou034
titou034

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route as described

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marlant
marlant

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike.

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anneG
anneG

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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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philibert.sylvie
philibert.sylvie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the walk, which was great, but discovering the village of Sauve was magical!

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saaShe
saaShe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

First family hike. This was recommended to me and I found the route here. Super thanks 🤩

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JL Chr
JL Chr
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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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fmarcel
fmarcel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, very easy and enjoyable walk. Magnificent scenery and varied sections.

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Doth
Doth
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : 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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after
after

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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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RPodor
RPodor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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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michelsandrine
michelsandrine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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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Noizette
Noizette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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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