The Allègre castle from Les Fumades

Start : Cèze-Cévennes tourist office car-park at Allègres-les-Fumades (30500).

(S/E) With the town hall behind you, go in a North-Westerly direction along the Avenue des Thermes. Turn right on the path before the Alauzène river.

(1) Turn left, cross the bridge over the Alauzène and then turn right immediately and follow the river.

(2) Turn left and go straight ahead to Auzon, ignoring the paths on each side. Cross the Auzonnet river by the bridge.

(3) Turn right into the small pedestrian street (Rue des Écoles), direction la Bégude and le Château. Reach the D7. Cross the road with caution (no pedestrian crossing) and follow the Rue du Moulin opposite.

(4) At the junction, go straight ahead and pass the factory.

(5) At the crossroads, ignore the path on the right, which will be used on the way back, and go straight on. Then turn right at the next road, direction Le Château and continue along the path to reach the castle car-park.

(6) Climb the stairs on the right to reach the ruins of the Allègre castle.

(7) Continue towards the East, ignoring a path on the right that goes down to the road. Reach a fork in the path.

(8) Turn right in the direction of the Chapelle Saint-Saturnin then continue along the ridge until you reach a large cairn (pile of stones).

(9) Turn right going downhill. Keep right at the next forks to join the D37.

(10) Cross the road with caution to go diagonally across the DFCI track by a water tank. Follow the track to the next tank.

(11) Take the DFCI track on the right and follow it to pass through the Défilé d'Argensol and return to La Bégude.

(5) At the calvary, turn left and pass in front of the factory again.

(4) Turn left before the D7 through the archway that passes under the building. Continue straight ahead until the calvary. Then turn right to the Arlende cemetery.

(12) After the cemetery, at the calvary, turn left and go up the Rue du Lavoir until reach a sharp left bend. At the entrance of this bend, turn right and continue straight ahead to join the D7.

(13) Cross the D7 with caution and go along the Alauzène.

(1) Continue straight ahead, then turn left onto Avenue des Thermes to reach the starting point car park. (S/E).

Start : Park in the Cèze-Cévennes tourist office car-park at Allègres-les-Fumades (30500).

Facilities : At the castle, it is possible to eat in the guard's house, which has been left open and made available to hikers: three large tables and a fireplace.

Allègre castle with orientation table, Saint-Saturnin chapel, magnificent panoramas.