Junas brings together several different ways to explore: Romanesque architecture, milling history, stone quarrying, cultural events and opportunities to walk or cycle. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you mainly want to discover historic buildings, enjoy an events programme or spend time outdoors. The places and activities offer concrete starting points for each.
Church, Mills and Washhouse
The Église Saint-Benoît de Junas was probably built in the Romanesque style in the first half of the 12th century. This makes it a point of interest for anyone interested in medieval architecture. The history of milling can also be tied to a specific date: the Moulin de Corbières was built in 1482 as a medieval engineering work. The year 1906 marks the final completion of the Corbière washhouse. These details offer different perspectives on the history of the town: from a church probably dating to the 12th century, to a medieval engineering work, to a washhouse completed in the early 20th century.
The preserved site of the Vieux Moulin can be explored on walks. It combines a visit to a historic place with outdoor activity. If you want to include both architectural history and a walk in your trip, this offers a different kind of exploration from a visit focused on a festival or event.
Quarries and Events
Stone was quarried at the Carrières du Bon Temps for more than 2,000 years. The manual method remained unchanged from Gallo-Roman times until quarrying ceased in the mid-20th century. This long time span and consistent way of working make the history of stone quarrying a defining theme for a visit. The Carrières du Bon Temps are open daily throughout the year, with free admission; check access conditions before your visit.
Music and a range of learning opportunities are at the heart of the Jazz à Junas festival. It takes place at the Carrières de Junas and presents European artists alongside artists from the French scene and new talent. The programme includes workshops for adults and young visitors, free concerts, and open opportunities to meet and learn. Check the programme for the year of your trip.
The Rencontres de la Pierre also focus on stonecraft. Since 2013, they have been organised by the “Des Hommes et des Cailloux†association. The event brings together stonemasons, sculptors, mosaic artists and dry-stone wallers. For those interested in craft techniques, it offers a different focus from Jazz à Junas: the emphasis here is on various trades involving the working and shaping of stone. For events, it is also a good idea to check the programme for the year of your trip.
Exploring on Foot and Along the Voie Verte
The Voie Verte from Sommières to Caveirac offers opportunities to cycle, ride scooters and walk away from road traffic. The access car park in Junas is on Route d’Aujargues, near the recycling centre. The route offers a way to include time for exercise in your trip; the activities mentioned range from travelling on wheels to walking.
A geocaching trail in Junas offers a way to explore the town and get to know its heritage along the way. Together with walks that take in the preserved site of the Vieux Moulin, it offers another way to explore: the heritage becomes the focus of the trail. The Voie Verte, meanwhile, is about travelling away from road traffic and the route between Sommières and Caveirac. This makes it possible to distinguish between the activities according to your preferred focus, without treating them as one and the same.
When looking for a hotel in Junas, your travel dates may be a deciding factor if you want to include a festival or the Rencontres de la Pierre. In that case, refer to the programme for the relevant year. The Carrières du Bon Temps offer a different timeframe: they are open daily throughout the year, with free admission, although access conditions should be checked before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Jonquières-Saint-Vincent, Uzès, Lussan, Pouzilhac, Saint-Bonnet-Du-Gard, Robiac, Nages-Et-Solorgues, Laudun-L'ardoise.
For the broader travel overview: Gard.
