Saint-Clément: Hiking, Wine and Heritage

Saint-Clément brings together hiking trails, winegrowing and traces of regional history. When planning your stay, these themes offer different ways to focus your visit: you can take into account a hike’s distance and time required, plan a visit to a winery that requires a reservation, or explore historic buildings and crafts. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Clément, this selection can help you decide in advance which activities you want to shape your stay.

Hiking between the garrigue and Bois de Paris

The Bois de Paris massif offers beautiful scenery and panoramic views, and serves as a refuge for wildlife and plant life. A circular hike through the Gard garrigue follows an out-and-back route and a short trail to the Grotte du Bois de Paris. Bring a lamp for the cave.

Another signposted circular hike is Les Eaux Chaudes, starting from Saint-Clément: it is 7.3 kilometres long, has 132 metres of elevation gain and takes a stated 2 hours and 5 minutes. Along the way, it passes through forests, vineyards and olive groves in a Mediterranean landscape where nature and agriculture are intertwined. The distance, elevation gain and duration help you gauge the time required for this hike.

The starting point for Les Eaux Chaudes is at Chemin de l’eau chaude, by a car park in Saint-Clément. A bus stop is less than a ten-minute walk away; an SNCF railway station is 20 to 30 minutes away by car. Check timetables and road conditions before setting out.

Winegrowing and local cuisine

In the centre of Saint-Clément is Domaine de Trépaloup, an organic winery with 16 different grape varieties grown on 16 hectares. Its wines belong to the AOC Languedoc Sommières and IGP Cévennes appellations. The plots are located at the foot of Bois de Paris or on the plain; the entire estate has been certified organic since 2013. If this status matters for your visit, confirm it in advance.

The visit combines a walk through pine stands, vineyards, olive groves and Bois de Paris with a cellar tour and a tasting of four to five wines. It is available by reservation for groups of five to 30 people. Arrange your reservation and confirm availability before your trip. La Guinguette du Château serves homemade food made with local produce at the foot of the château. If you would like to eat there, check its opening hours in advance.

History, crafts and other activities

The château in Saint-Clément dates from the 16th century and has four round towers. The Roman bridge over the Quiquilhan stream lies on a transhumance route along which sheep were driven towards the Cévennes. The former lime kiln is near the D35. It was used to turn limestone into lime by calcination.

A three-hour lace-making workshop is offered in Saint-Clément. Materials are provided, and participants make a bracelet; confirm the date and participation arrangements before you arrive. La chouette Blanche offers yoga classes for adults and children, as well as meditation sessions. Ask about times and ways to participate in advance.

Discover more destinations: Montdardier, Saint-André-De-Roquepertuis, Aigaliers, Cabrières, La Vernarède, Sumène, Aigues-Vives, Bez-et-Esparon.

Go to the overview of destinations: Gard.