Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières brings together walking trails, agriculture and heritage, offering different ways to explore the area. The circular routes focus on either landscapes and trail markings or winegrowing and ecosystems, while a mountain biking route adds a section on Mont Bouquet. Wine tours, public distillations and historic buildings also give your stay specific themes. These differences can help you choose the focus that best suits your trip.
Two circular routes, different focuses
The “Randonnée Entre garrigues et lavande” walk starts in Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières and follows a 5.5-kilometre circular route. Yellow PR trail markers mark the route throughout. Along the way, it passes lavender fields, vineyards and oak woodland. Its length, circular layout and trail markings provide clear points of reference when planning your walk.
The Sentier d’Interprétation autour de la vigne offers a different focus: its circular route explores the connections between organic farming and the ecosystem around Le Mas des Justes. It is easy to access and designed to be playful, making it suitable for family outings. Along the path, visitors may see hawfinches and yellow-bellied toads. The two trails therefore offer different themes: landscape on one, and agriculture, ecology and possible wildlife sightings on the other.
Experience winegrowing and distillation
Le Mas des Justes is an IGP Cévennes winery. It is farmed organically and biodynamically across 22 hectares, of which 11.5 hectares are planted with vines. During the wine tourism tour, visitors learn about biodynamics and the methods used at the winery. An introduction using a virtual reality headset and a wine tasting are also included. The winery also offers an educational vineyard trail. The tour therefore introduces both the farming methods and winegrowing as a hands-on local activity.
Distillerie Bel Air offers another perspective on local agriculture: it produces and markets organic essential oils and works with farmers who grow organic aromatic and medicinal plants. Distillations are open to the public, and you can choose a guided tour or a self-guided visit. The “Randonnée Entre garrigues et lavande” walking route also offers the opportunity to stop at the distillery, where visitors can observe traditional craftsmanship. You can learn about distillation both by visiting the distillery and by stopping there along the walking route.
Mountain biking on Mont Bouquet
The “VTT – De la Plaine aux falaises du Mont Bouquet” circular route is 26.6 kilometres long, has 571 metres of elevation gain and starts in Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières. Wide tracks alternate with a few technically demanding singletrack sections. The route climbs partway up Mont Bouquet and offers views of the Cévennes and the area around Uzès. The difference from the walking route is clear: this ride is defined by its greater distance, elevation gain and technically demanding trail sections.
Landscape and building history
Forests and garrigue cover 70 percent of the area of Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières; more than 500 hectares are used for agriculture.
The village’s history is also reflected in its surviving buildings. In the 15th century, the communities of “Locus de Sancto Justo” and “Mansus de Vaqueris” joined to form a single parish, from which Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières later developed. Preserved and restored historic buildings include Château de Vacquières and the Temple de Saint-Just, built in 1861. There are also two imposing masonry arch viaducts from the former railway. Alongside nature and agriculture, these landmarks offer another focus for exploring the area.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-De-Crieulon, Saint-Côme-Et-Maruéjols, Meynes, Rochefort-Du-Gard, Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon, Saint-Siffret, Saint-Jean-Du-Gard, Valleraugue.
For the broader travel overview: Gard.
