The Sentier des Tuiliers combines a circular route of about 45 minutes with information panels about the history of tilemaking. In Mariac, mountain biking loops, the hamlet of Girond, an art gallery and the Le Pont de Fromentières climbing crag add to the choices. You can choose between hiking, cycling, art and climbing, with different route lengths, themes and visiting arrangements.
On foot between Girond and tilemaking history
The Sentier des Tuiliers runs from Girond to a former clay extraction site that supplied clay for making Roman tiles. The round trip is 3 kilometres long and takes about 45 minutes. Information panels along the way explain the history of tilemaking. The route therefore combines a manageable distance with a specific historical theme.
For a broader perspective, take a look at the Vallée des Tuiliers between Cornuscle and Pont de Fromentières. Numerous tileworks developed there, starting with the clay deposits at Cornuscle. The hiking trail leads to a former extraction site; the valley’s history also tells of how the clay deposits were used for tile production.
Girond is both the starting point for the Sentier des Tuiliers and a place to explore in its own right. The hamlet has timber-and-stone houses, a restored bread oven, cobbled lanes and the Jardin des Simples. If you choose Le Serre de Jusclas, you can leave the hiking route at point 4 and take a detour to the Romanesque Church of Saint-Etienne.
Comparing two mountain biking loops
The Circuit du serre de Jusclas VTT FFC N°15 starts in Pont-de-Fromentières in Mariac and leads to the panoramic ridges of the GR 420. The loop is 14.5 kilometres long, with 500 metres of elevation gain. The VTT-FFC N°14 « Entre crêtes et vallées » loop is 23 kilometres long, with 600 metres of elevation gain; on the return, it follows the Dorne to Mariac.
N°14 passes through Girond and its narrow lanes halfway along the route. By the numbers, this loop is 8.5 kilometres longer and has 100 metres more elevation gain than N°15. The route sections described also differ: N°15 features the panoramic ridges of the GR 420, while N°14 includes Girond and the return along the Dorne among its stated landmarks.
Art gallery and climbing crag
The Galerie d'art: Au cœur des hautes vallées de l'Ardèche in Mariac displays paintings of the high valleys of the Ardèche as well as older works on this theme. Other subjects include flowers and portraits; the selection may change. Visits are available by appointment. Admission and parking are free. Arrange your appointment before you arrive.
The Le Pont de Fromentières climbing crag is in Mariac, 150 metres east of the village. Check local access and route conditions before climbing.
To choose what to do, start with what interests you most: the Sentier des Tuiliers explores the history of tilemaking, the two VTT loops differ in length, elevation and route, and the gallery offers an art visit by appointment. This makes it easier to weigh up the specific options in Mariac according to your schedule and interests.
Discover more destinations: Saint-André-En-Vivarais, Le Teil, Rochessauve, Saint-Julien-Boutières, Saint-Maurice-D'ardèche, Saint-Étienne-de-Fontbellon, Rocher, Colombier-Le-Vieux.
For the overview of the wider destination: Ardèche.
