Five signposted mountain biking trails start in Berrias. If you’d like to combine your cycling plans with winegrowing, La vigne à vélo offers a route between Berrias-Et-Casteljau, Banne and Beaulieu. There is also Templar history, a distinctive river landscape, and geological and archaeological traces. You can therefore plan your stay around cycling, cultural heritage and scenery.
Forest, Rock and River Loops
Bois de Païolive is a 16 km² forest with limestone rocks, weathered into varied shapes, among downy oaks and holm oaks. The Chassezac winds through Berrias-Et-Casteljau in broad loops. Château de Casteljau stands on a peninsula formed by a loop in the Chassezac. Together, these features show contrasting landscapes: the forest with its limestone rocks, and the river course that shapes the château’s setting.
Heritage from Different Periods
The Commanderie de Jalès was founded by the Templars in 1140 and is considered one of the oldest surviving Templar commanderies in France. Act’Jalès offers guided tours and games there. Both its founding history and the tours and games are cultural points of interest at the commandery.
The Granges necropolis comprises at least around 30 dolmens of varying sizes. Dolmens in the Ardèche in general date from 2500 to 1800 BC. This period is long before the commandery was founded in 1140, so the dolmens and Templar history offer different historical perspectives.
Geology offers another distinct focus: the Berriasian stratotype is one of the few stratotypes in the Auvergne-RhĂ´ne-Alpes region that are still valid. It is located in the bed of the Graveyron near the former quarries of Berrias. This geological reference point is distinct from the history of the commandery and the archaeological subject of the necropolis.
Cycling and Winegrowing
Five signposted, FFC-certified mountain biking trails start in Berrias and are open year-round. La vigne à vélo is a 33 km cycling route between Berrias-Et-Casteljau, Banne and Beaulieu. It can be divided into two loops of 16 and 17 km. This gives you different details to consider when planning your cycling: the number, signposting and year-round availability of the mountain biking trails, and the total distance and loop structure of La vigne à vélo.
La vigne à vélo includes stops at wine cellars. Local winemakers share their knowledge of winegrowing there and offer wine tastings. The route can be accessed from Via Ardèche, from public car parks or from one of the participating wine cellars. This experience combines a cycling route with insights into local winegrowing.
Swimming in the Chassezac
Swimming is possible at a pebble beach in the Chassezac gorges near Casteljau. Swimming conditions may vary by season, so bear this in mind if swimming is important to your plans.
Discover more destinations: La Souche, Saint-Montan, Ajoux, St. Andeol-De-Vals, Le Lac D'issarlès, Dunière-sur-Eyrieux, Saint-Genest-De-Beauzon, Bogy.
View the regional travel overview: Ardèche.
