The sublime viewpoint of the Jonte Gorges from Saint-Jean-des-Balmes

de fr

This sublime spot we recommend is located on the Causse Noir.
First, take a look at the bucolic priory of Saint-Jean des-Balmes.
Next, the Bartasserie will reveal the charm of the Causse buildings.
Finally, the cliffs that line the tip of Causse Méjean, the legendary vases of Sèvre and China, the Francbouteille rock and Capluc.
In short, a breathtaking panorama with a reasonable elevation gain and distance. A family outing.

Details

n°1855912
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 126 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 117 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 882 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 798 m
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Photos

sublime viewpoint: the Jonte Gorges
Sublime viewpoint over the Jonte Gorges
Vautour
View from the sublime viewpoint

Description of the walk

To reach the priory of Saint-Jean-des-Balmes from Millau, follow the Dourbie valley, then La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-André-de-Vezines. Road signs will then show you the way. Park in the priory car park.

(S/E) Turn right towards the priory. After visiting the site, follow the path that passes near the cross towards La Bartasserie. Reach the Y-junction leading to Massabiau and La Bartasserie.

(1) Take the wide track that descends to the left. Arrive at the Bartasserie crossroads.

(2) Follow the path to the right. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the tracks coming from the right or left.
Turn left onto a wide gravel path, blocked by an ONF barrier. Continue to a new intersection.

(3) Take the gravel path on the right and continue along it to reach Point Sublime.

(4) Retrace your steps to the Bartasserie crossroads.

(2) Turn right onto the wide path coming from La Bartasserie and follow it south to the T-junction. Leave the path and descend via a footpath that leads back to the priory car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 855 m - Priory car park
  2. 1 : km 0.85 - alt. 882 m - Carrefour Massabiau and La Bartasserie
  3. 2 : km 1.58 - alt. 862 m - Crossroads of the circular
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 841 m - Crossroads with stony path
  5. 4 : km 3.06 - alt. 798 m - Point sublime des Gorges de la Jonte
  6. S/E : km 5.56 - alt. 855 m - Priory car park

Notes

No special equipment is required, except for the essentials: hat or rainwear, drinks, etc.
Please note: however, from March to autumn, processionary caterpillars are out (they sting).

You will be hiking in a magnificent but fragile area (integral biological reserve).
Be mindful of the beauty of the area, take care at the edge of cliffs, and be eco-friendly.

Enjoy your walk in the Causses.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

At the start of the walk, visit the priory, which is currently being restored. This building, constructed from local materials, blends in particularly well with the landscape.
The old Bartasserie farm, now owned by the Forestry Commission, is another example of the craftsmanship of the masons of yesteryear.
At the sublime point. What can be said about this picture-postcard panorama, with views stretching from the Cirque de Madasses to the Fontaneille pedestal?
Below (400 m), the Jonte flows through a steep-sided valley, revealing the ruggedness of these landscapes.

A little extra. When you leave the car park, take the road (800 m) towards Peyreleau.
A hundred metres after the path leading to the Roujarie farm, admire one of the masterpieces of ingenuity of the inhabitants of the Causses on the left side of the road: the Roujarie's roof cistern.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 27825732

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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josiane.moucky
josiane.moucky

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It is a very beautiful hike with breathtaking views.
The hike is very easy, with no difficulty.

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User 14223558

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with no difficulty!
The view is truly sublime ;-)
The priory is free to visit and makes for a very relaxing walk.

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pdebelle
pdebelle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike with lots of shaded areas. Two points of interest: the Priory at the start and the 180-degree view of the Jonte Valley. Magnificent.

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cbonnemoy
cbonnemoy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route, mostly through woodland. Moderate traffic at the start in Cassagnes.

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cham34
cham34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pretty, very photogenic priory, a beautiful path that is often shaded, and to top it all off, a magnificent view of the Jonte Gorges. We had a wonderful time on this pleasant hike. Thank you to the author.

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User 5746378

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

For a first experience with Visorando, it's been a real success.

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mkyla
mkyla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy hike with beautiful views that are well worth the detour.

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PatP25
PatP25

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike, an interesting priory and magnificent views of the Jonte Gorges.
Please note that on the way back, the path on the left signposted for the car park is no longer passable. Take the path about 100 metres further down to avoid having to return to the car park via the road.

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Ouvrard Marie Pierre
Ouvrard Marie Pierre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is an easy family walk that takes you to a magnificent viewpoint over the Jonte Gorges. We cycled up on electric bikes along the small road that leads to the start of the walk.

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Gaëlle beau
Gaëlle beau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, but a map is essential to avoid getting lost at intersections, as there are no signposts.

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Daniel Epingard
Daniel Epingard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb view of the Jonte Gorges.
Magnificent

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MICHEU
MICHEU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

magnificent view upon reaching the highest point!

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jobici1194
jobici1194

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with little elevation gain. Beautiful views and interesting ruins of the priory.

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bernardgemenos
bernardgemenos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant hike in the woods with a magnificent view of the Jonte Gorges at Point Sublime.

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