Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac brings together architectural history and trails tracing the story of the Huguenots and the region’s winemaking. It is also home to a remarkable mammoth discovery and traces of former economic activities. The area can be explored from different perspectives: through its keep and historic buildings, along paths through vineyards and garrigue, or by learning about the history of the landscape.
Local history, from the keep to the mammoth discovery
Durfort is classified as a “Circulade Languedocienne de l’an mille” and is laid out around its keep. The former Château de Durfort and the keep date from a major construction phase in the 12th century; they were probably built by the Bermond de Sauve. Listed protections cover the seigneurial tower as well as the façades and roofs of the north wing. These parts were protected on September 1, 2008.
The religious buildings also reveal different chapters in the area’s history. The Protestant temple has two superimposed tiers of galleries and was rebuilt in 1821. The village church of Saint Thomas was built in 1687. The former parish church of Saint-Martin was devastated in 1686 and set on fire by the Camisards. Together, these traces of the past span the medieval keep, 17th-century buildings and the 19th-century rebuilding of the temple.
Another way to explore the past is to visit the Mammouth de Durfort: the mammoth was discovered in 1869 during roadworks in Durfort. The mammoth trail traces its story from this discovery to the latest excavations in 2022. This puts a significant paleontological find alongside the area’s architectural and local history.
The area’s industrial history includes the lead-silver and zinc deposits of Durfort. They are part of the mining complex of the Pallières mines and have been worked since at least the 13th century. In the forest, paths also lead to the remains of former orchards and historic charcoal-burning sites. These traces point to earlier uses of the landscape, though they should not be attributed to any one specific mine.
Walking trails, a cycling route and wine country
Durfort is a stop on the international “Sur les Pas des Huguenots” hiking trail. This Council of Europe cultural route explores the history of refuge and exile among the Huguenots. Another way to include the area in your journey is the “Le Tour du Piémont Cévenol” cycling route, which passes through Durfort-et-Saint-Martin-de-Sossenac. The two routes have different focuses: the hiking trail centres on Huguenot history, while the cycling route passes through the commune.
The “Jeux de vignes, je dis vin!” themed trail offers another perspective on the landscape. It passes through garrigue and the vineyards of the Duché d’Uzès, introducing visitors to local winemaking history, grape varieties and vineyard work. It draws attention both to the surroundings and to the work that shapes wine production. Those more interested in woodland traces than vineyards can follow forest paths to the remains of former orchards and historic charcoal-burning sites.
Horse riding and local wine
Haras de Durfort offers private and group riding lessons, as well as trail rides. Depending on ability, rides last an hour or longer; the offer is open to all ages and skill levels. This variation according to ability is useful when planning: it gives an indication of ride duration without assuming the same length for every participant.
Wine is another of the area’s distinctive offerings. Cave Coopérative Les Coteaux Cevenols produces organic, Terra Vitis and conventional wines bearing the IGP Cévennes and AOP Duché d’Uzès designations, and offers wine tastings. Together with the wine-themed trail, this makes for a distinctive experience linking the landscape with local wine production. When choosing between the different things to explore, you can decide whether you are most interested in the historic layout of the village, Huguenot history, landscape trails, horse riding or wine.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Christol-Lès-Alès, Saint-Gervasy, Méjannes-Le-Clap, Allègre-Les-Fumades, Bez-et-Esparon, Saint-Julien-de-Cassagnas, Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon, Montfaucon.
For the regional travel overview: Gard.
