In Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu, water, forest and local history offer very different discoveries. When planning, it is worth considering how much time each activity takes: one option is a tour lasting about an hour, while another is a very difficult hike that takes six hours.
Lac du Bonheur and the underground river
Lac du Bonheur is a reservoir in the municipality of Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu, above the village of Camprieu. At the lake, you can swim without supervision, have a picnic, fish and relax. If you plan to swim, check the water conditions on site. Two jetties allow people using wheelchairs to access fishing areas.
Another unusual feature of the water lies east of Camprieu: there, the Bonheur stream disappears into a natural tunnel and re-emerges 700 metres away as the Bramabiau. The underground course also shapes the experience at the Abîme de Bramabiau. There is a very accessible one-kilometre visitor circuit, as well as a guided tour lasting about an hour along the underground Bonheur river. Check current operating details before your visit.
The history of speleology is also part of Bramabiau. The first traverse covered 1,300 metres underground and is now considered a founding moment in modern speleology. The site thus connects the visible landscape with a history that unfolds beneath the ground.
Hikes with different time requirements
The Sentier de Camprieu is a very difficult hike: the route is 17.5 kilometres long, takes six hours and starts at the Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu gymnasium. It therefore takes up a large part of your day. Trail conditions may vary; check them before setting off. By comparison, the guided tour at the Abîme de Bramabiau takes about an hour and is a much shorter visit. These time estimates can help you fit both activities realistically into your stay.
The Sentier de Saint-Sauveur-des-Pourcils offers another way to take in the landscape. The trail passes through part of the large arboretum on the Aigoual massif. The arboretum illustrates the diversity of the forest and the work of foresters since the beginning of the 20th century. Here, the forest itself is the focus, while the Camprieu hike is defined by its length and difficulty.
Historic trails and buildings
The name Sentier des Morts recalls the former route from Camprieu to the cemetery of Saint-Sauveur de Pourcils. Funeral processions used it until the summer of 1872. This history gives the trail’s name a concrete connection to the village’s former daily life.
The church of Saint-Sauveur-des-Pourcils also bears the marks of repeated destruction and reconstruction: it was rebuilt after being destroyed in 1562, 1703 and 1848. The ruins of Bonahuc Monastery, now called Notre Dame de Bonheur Abbey, are also located in the area of the Sentier de la vallée du Bonheur. Together, these places offer several distinct ways to explore local history.
Plan your hotel and stay
If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu, first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. The six-hour, very difficult hike requires considerably more time than the tour at Bramabiau; lake activities and historic trails offer different experiences. Use these time estimates to decide whether a long hike will shape your plans or whether you would prefer several shorter discoveries. This way, you can choose your stay based on the actual time required for each experience.
Discover more destinations: La Roque-Sur-Cèze, Saint-Étienne-des-Sorts, Robiac, Saint-Geniès-De-Comolas, Cardet, Saint-Privat-Des-Vieux, Saint-Paulet-De-Caisson, Générargues.
See the broader travel overview: Gard.
