La Calmette: History and Activities

When planning your stay, La Calmette offers several different points of interest: historic buildings in the village centre, capitelles on the garrigue hillsides, and leisure activities involving manades or go-karting. If you are looking for hotels in La Calmette, exploring these topics can help you choose what to see based on your interests—from medieval traces to events and activities.

Historic Buildings in the Village Centre

The Protestant temple of La Calmette dates from 1846. The octagonal building has a rare central layout and is listed as a historic monument. The date distinguishes its construction from the medieval fortification remains; its distinctive layout is its defining architectural feature.

The Porte de la Tour-du-Pin is the last significant surviving remnant of La Calmette’s medieval fortification. Its structure is intact; it stands in a small square and is highlighted by lighting. The medieval village centre also includes a remarkable circulade, part of the village’s traditionally dense settlement pattern. The circulade and the Porte thus point to two aspects of the historic townscape: the shape of the village centre and its former fortifications.

Capitelles and Walking Routes

There are several vaulted dry-stone huts, known as capitelles, on the garrigue hillsides around La Calmette. In the past, they provided shelter for shepherds and winegrowers. Their construction and use go hand in hand: the huts bear witness to the practical use of the landscape, not merely to striking dry-stone structures.

The GR700 provides a specific route to restored capitelles. A restored capitelle can be seen on the hiking trail on the Plateau de la Table des Chasseurs; southwest of the village, a restored capitelle can be reached via the GR700, the Voie Régordane. A 9 km municipal hiking trail was created as part of the completed restoration of the Moulin Fabre de Joybert. Take the stated route length into account when planning, and check local trail conditions in advance.

Manades: Events and Tastings

In July 2024, the Manade du Gardon moved its operations to La Calmette’s historic manade, the Domaine du Devois. Its year-round events include Camargue bull races, shows and toro-piscine. The manade also offers individual product tastings for a fee. Events and tastings are different ways to explore what the manade has to offer.

The Manade Lou Simbeü organises ferrade days, featuring an introduction to the gardians and the sorting of cattle. It also offers rides in a trailer pulled by a tractor. This differs in format from the events at the Manade du Gardon: ferrade days and trailer rides are the main attractions here.

Go-Karting for Different Age Groups

La Calmette Karting offers introductory go-karting sessions in a natural setting for friends, families and colleagues aged four and over. You can also rent pedal go-karts. Two-seater karts are available to rent for people with disabilities or small children. The offer therefore includes different formats: introductory go-karting sessions, as well as rental options with pedal go-karts and two-seater karts. The information about age and user groups can help you distinguish between these options.

Discover more destinations: Boucoiran-Et-Nozières, Uchaud, Saint-Jean-du-Pin, Cassagnoles, Rochefort-Du-Gard, Campestre-Et-Luc, Saint-Victor-De-Malcap, Saint-Jean-De-Maruéjols-Et-Avéjan.

View the regional travel guide: Gard.