In the historic centre, dated buildings offer a tangible way to explore Aramon’s past. On the heights above the town, the Sentier des Garrigues winds through the garrigue and offers views of the Rhône and the surrounding area. There is also Les Castillones, a 10.5-kilometre circular walk starting in Aramon. The town’s history and its hiking landscape offer different ways to shape your stay.
Aramon’s building history in the historic centre
Rue Pitot crosses the historic centre from east to west. At the corner with Passage de Laudun stands Maison Girard, one of Aramon’s oldest houses; it dates from 1498. Another name is linked to a specific date of birth: Henri Pitot was born in 1695 at the Maison natale d’Henri Pitot, at number 7. Dates like these locate the town’s history not just in a century, but in particular houses and streets.
The Église Saint-Pancrace, which dates from the 12th to the 17th century, is also part of the historic centre. Les Halles were rebuilt in 1742 using dressed stone. The Porte de Montfrin dates from 1774; it was previously fortified. These two buildings tell different stories: for Les Halles, the information names the rebuilding and material, while for the Porte it gives the date and its former function. Together with the older Maison Girard, they offer several points of reference for the town’s history.
The Château d’Aramon can also be understood through its structure and historic status: its 12-metre-high wall was part of the fortifications. The château was partially listed as a Monument historique on 23 November 1995. A different kind of historical account concerns the Maison des Cardinaux. It is said to have served as a refuge for the Bishop of Lodève, Plantavit de la Pause, in 1633. This attribution remains a reported tradition.
Hikes with different highlights
Les Castillones is a 10.5-kilometre circular walk starting in Aramon. The Sentier des Garrigues has different highlights: it winds through the garrigue on the heights above Aramon and offers numerous views of the Rhône and the surrounding area. When choosing between the two routes, you can therefore weigh the circular format and distance of Les Castillones against the scenery along the Sentier. This makes it possible to choose a hike based on what you are looking for, without treating the two routes as the same.
Route conditions for Les Castillones may change, so check them before setting out. Parking at Parking des Quais, beside the tourist office, is recommended for the Sentier des Garrigues. As parking information may change, check it again before you leave.
An event date to help plan your trip
The Foire de la St-Martin was founded in 1703 and continues to this day. If you would like to plan your trip around a visit to the fair, check the specific event dates separately. The fair’s historical continuity and the dates for a particular stay are two different matters: its founding dates back a long way, while your planning depends on finding the right event date.
When choosing where to stay, you can consider the historic buildings in the centre and the hiking options as different parts of your trip. If you are mainly interested in local history, you will find several houses and buildings with precise dates; if you would also like to explore the landscape, you can weigh up the circular walk and the Sentier des Garrigues based on the features described for each.
Discover more destinations: Garrigues-Sainte-Eulalie, Arpaillargues-Et-Aureillac, Orthoux-Sérignac-Quilhan, Colognac, Saint-André-D'olérargues, Mandagout, Salazac, Rochegude
For the wider travel overview: Gard.
