Our favourite walk: a 360° view over the Ardèche, the Cévennes, Mont Ventoux and, on clear days, the Alps.
One of our favourite historic sites and our favourite weekly walk: the Saint-Sébastien chapel, on the border between the Gard and the Ardèche, offers a breathtaking 360° panorama over the Ardèche, the Cévennes, the Gard and the Rhône valley. You can see as far as Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse, and the Alps.
You can walk there from the house (3 km), drive halfway and walk the last 2 km, or drive right to the top. We have maps to show you the way.
I find reminders of my native Quebec all over the Ardèche, but this anecdote is rather surprising.
An interesting fact from the Courry website: "The path we take is named after Alexis Reynard, a missionary from Gagnières who ventured into the Canadian far north, and whose guide, nicknamed 'the Iroquois', did not hesitate to eat him when hunger became unbearable!"
Well, how about that!
If you love history, don't miss the article "La chapelle Saint-Sébastien à Courry" on the Courry-Clapas blog, a fascinating dive into the history and architecture of this neo-Romanesque chapel.
A breathtaking panorama
Overlooking the Courry area, the Saint-Sébastien chapel offers a stunning view over the Rhône valley and the Cévennes. Its peaceful hilltop setting makes it a place for contemplation and rest.
A neo-Romanesque building
Built between 1722 and 1724, the chapel is a scaled-down replica of the plan of Courry church. Its neo-Romanesque style draws on the shapes and building techniques of the Romanesque period (11th–12th centuries).
A rich past
The chapel was an important place of pilgrimage for centuries, where pilgrims prayed to Saint Sebastian for protection against the plague and other diseases. It was restored in 2010.
A heritage to discover
The Saint-Sébastien chapel is an important part of local heritage, a unique and peaceful place well worth the climb.
Photos © Isabelle Renaud
On a beautiful April day I walked up to the chapel at the top of Courry hill. Paragliders were taking off above my head and diving towards Saint-Paul, painting the sky with their bright colours. I envied their freedom.
