Short Protestant route – Dieulefit-Bourdeaux region

Church and Tourist Office car park

(S/E) From the Tourist Office, take the bridge over the Roubion and walk through the village to reach the war memorial (section shared with the^GR®9). Cross the D70 and head opposite towards Les Junchas for about 250m until you reach the Fork in the road (junction of the circular route).

(1) Head up to the right onto the small tarmac road. Pass two Protestant cemeteries and continue along the road. Beautiful view of the village of Bourdeaux.

(2) At Plan Lara, turn left onto the small road. Further on, at the right-angled bend, leave the tarmac and head straight on along the path that climbs to the edge of a wood. Walk through the pleasant forest, cross a small clearing then turn left to reach a path between two fields. Join the track leading into the forest. A little further on, head down to the left and then back up, keeping to the left, to emerge in front of the ruins of Combe Roussine.

(3) Turn left onto the tarmac road. At the junction, continue left to reach Bourdeaux via the tarmac road. Beautiful view of the Couspeau and Trois Becs mountains.
At the junction with the tarmac road, continue left, then cross the Saint-Savin stream a little further on.

(1) At the junction of the circular route, continue straight on, cross the D70 again to rejoin the^GR®9and turn left towards the Roubion bridge and then the Tourist Office.

(S/E) Turn right towards the town hall, then continue left (Rue du Coulard).

(4) Turn left up the Montée de la Chèvre Morte (cobbled steps). After the arched passage, continue right up the steps running alongside the old market square (fountain), then turn left to reach the signpost at Place du Marché.

(5) At the signpost, head right, overlooking the square, and walk past the Church of Notre-Dame de la Viale. Continue straight on to reach Place de la Courtine. Beautiful view and orientation table.

(6) Further on, head down to the right via the steps. Pass in front of the Fontaine d’Alberte and continue downhill.

(4) Turn left, walk past the town hall, then turn right to return to the starting point of the walk (S/E).

To avoid disturbing wildlife, dogs must be kept on a lead on the hiking trails.

It is strongly recommended that you take IGN map no. 3138OT 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 / www.pays-dedieulefit.eu / ot@dieulefit-tourisme.com

Protestant cemeteries
Protestantism has had a profound influence on the Pays de Bourdeaux and its inhabitants. This is particularly evident in the number of ‘family cemeteries’. Most date from a time when a ‘heretic’ – as any supporter of the Reformed Church was called – could not be buried in ‘consecrated ground’. These cemeteries are often marked by cypress trees, and sometimes boxwoods, yews, walnut trees or even quince trees. In Bourdeaux, there are 38 family cemeteries. The Teyssaire family cemetery, which you’ll come across along the route, is the final resting place of the famous pastor Alexis Muston (1810–1888).