Sernhac combines hiking with traces of Roman history and a range of visitor experiences that bring together tunnels, cellars and wine tasting. When planning your trip, you can choose from several different highlights: an approximately one-hour hike with an audio guide, trails in the Vallon d’Escaunes à Cantarelles, historic buildings and a visit to Domaine de Poulvarel. Which of these aspects you focus on can shape the character of your stay.
Hiking trails with different appeal
The “Au fil du temps” circular trail takes approximately one hour. It is of moderate difficulty and has some challenging sections; a downloadable audio guide is also available. This means you can consider several aspects together when choosing: the approximate time required, the difficulty of the route and the option of following the trail with the audio guide. The challenging sections are part of what makes this loop distinctive.
The Vallon d’Escaunes à Cantarelles has marked, informative hiking trails. One circular route leads to the summit of the La Perrotte rock and offers views over the terraces. These trails appeal to different hiking interests: with “Au fil du temps,” the duration and difficulty are clear, while the La Perrotte loop offers a specific destination and views of the terraces. Would you rather consider the time required and difficulty, or are you drawn to the climb up to the summit?
Roman tunnels and a visit to the Domaine
The Tunnel de la Perrotte is a preserved Roman tunnel, 74 metres long, and open to the public year-round. Its length gives the structure a tangible scale; its Roman origins also provide a distinct point of connection with the history of the area. Those interested in Roman structures will therefore find not only hiking trails in Sernhac, but also a preserved building that is open to the public.
At Domaine de Poulvarel, exploring the two Roman tunnels, Perrottes and Cantarelle, is part of a visit that also includes a cellar tour and a tasting of its wines. The Domaine also produces olive oil and vinegar. The visit brings together several aspects: exploring the tunnels, the cellar and the wines. Olive oil and vinegar round out this picture of local production, though they should not be confused with the activities described as part of the visit.
Former fortifications and church history
Sernhac was once fortified; of its historic gates, the Porte Sarrasine remains. It gives the history of the fortifications a specific name. The church has a different chapter in its history: an earlier church was destroyed by the Saracens, after which the church of Sernhac was rebuilt. The fortifications and the rebuilding offer different perspectives on the area’s past.
A bronze statue of Notre-Dame is also part of local history: it was installed on the bell tower. The statue is 3 metres tall and weighs 3.5 tonnes. Its measurements give an impression of its size and make it a striking historic detail alongside the surviving gate and the church’s history. Together, these buildings and stories offer a cultural highlight that pairs well with a hike or an interest in Roman traces.
When choosing accommodation in Sernhac, you can first consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay: hiking trails, history or a visit to Domaine de Poulvarel. Local highlights range from a loop with an approximate duration and an audio guide to summit views over the terraces and a visit with wine tasting. This lets you assess the destination through specific experiences without having to turn the different options into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Just-Et-Vacquières, Issirac, Saint-Hyppolyte-Du-Fort, Aumessas, Rochegude, Ribaute-Les-Tavernes, Bez-et-Esparon, Branoux-Les-Taillades
For the broader travel guide: Gard.
