Revens combines the landscapes of the Causse Noir with hiking trails and architectural history. Two distinctions are particularly helpful when planning your visit: the trails have different route formats, and the village’s history includes both a church with a predecessor building and a menhir that continues to erode due to weathering.
Landscapes of the Causse Noir
Revens is a small village typical of the Causse Noir. From here, the view extends west across the Dourbie Valley and southwest towards the Trévezel gorges. The valley and the gorges are two distinct landscapes that open up in different directions from Revens. Revens is also part of the “Gorges de la Dourbie et causses avoisinants” Natura 2000 bird protection area.
Hiking Trails and Route Formats
The Sentier du Bout du Causse passes through pastureland with hedges and offers open views of the Aigoual. The trail also introduces the history of the Causse Noir and passes through characteristic landscapes with grasses known as “cheveux d’anges.” Pastures where bison are kept may also be visible along the route. The landscape, historical context and grasses mentioned each offer their own points of interest when planning a hike.
The Sentier de Revens is a 14-kilometre circular trail with a stated duration of six hours. It passes through several hamlets in Revens, where you can discover typical Causse architecture. Yellow markings indicate the route; it is rated as difficult for mountain bikes. Allow for the stated duration when planning your day.
The “De Revens à Montredon” stage follows a different route format: it starts in the centre of Revens, follows the GR 71D along the Corniches de la Dourbie and ends in the hamlet of Montredon. When choosing a route, you can therefore distinguish between a circular trail and a stage with separate start and end points. Check current trail conditions and markings before setting off, as they may change.
Church, Hermitage and Menhir
Construction of Saint-Pierre de Revens Church began at the start of the 19th century, and its bell tower was completed in 1889. The present-day church replaced an older Saint-Pierre church, now known as the Ermitage de Saint-Pierre. The two names therefore refer to the present-day church and its older predecessor, not to two names for the same building.
Another prominent local landmark is the Menhir de Revens. Wind, frost and rain have weathered the stone, and it continues to erode. While the church’s history can be traced through its construction phases and predecessor building, the menhir’s ongoing change due to weathering is a key part of its description.
Practical Information
Revens has a picnic area and parking. These are useful points of reference for taking a break and planning your time locally during a stay that includes excursions. Information about the hiking trails differs considerably: a duration of six hours is given for the Sentier de Revens, while the stage is described by its route and its start and end points.
Discover more destinations: Vers-Pont-Du-Gard, Saint-Côme-Et-Maruéjols, Caissargues, Sénéchas, Tavel, Rodilhan, Venejan, Saint-André-De-Valborgne
For the regional travel overview: Gard.
