Brion Rock
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Brion Rock
JAUNAC

Brion Rock

Fauna - Flora
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A beautiful walk to discover the remains of a medieval village built in the heart of an old volcano. Brion Rock is a unique site in the Mont d'Ardèche Park. A must visit !
For those who discover the Brion Rock for the first time - there are still many of them, the site being out of the main touristic circuits - it is an epiphany. Beside its archeological as well as geological interests, the site enjoys an incredibly rich flora. The combination of all these treasures, that complete and answer each other, is captivating. The walls of the houses and ramparts are built out of columnar basalt, the flora born from the peculiar volcanism of the site and from human history found there a place to flourish, a recent archeological dig has led to a few revelations while retaining many mysteries... The walk winds pleasantly among geological, historical and natural features. The interpretive boards along the walk will tell you about housing evolution and the various modes of land use, from the Middle Ages to our time. The site also offers a stunning viewpoint on the Eyrieux Valley to the North, on the Rochebonne Castle just in front of you, and last but not least on the Mézenc-Gerbier range. Visit it rather late in the afternoon, when the sun goes down on the Mézenc and sets the Sucs ablaze. The sight is unforgettable.

Description

  1. At the Rocher de Brion parking lot, go right below the parking lot. Follow the grassy path with the small hill on your left.
  2. After 200 m, you will go past 3 interpretive boards "Des espaces en déprise", "l'espace mis en valeur", and "les formes d'habitat". The hike follows the main path, but you can go a little higher to look at two other boards, "géologie" and "flore". The path leads to a large area with ruined houses and medieval walls (interpretive board "les murs des maisons").
  3. Go up to the old rampart in front of you.  Follow it and the interpretive boards interspersed along the path. On the way back to the hill, you will find the board "un château au Moyen-Age". Go along the wall on the right (sight on the Rochebonne Castle). You will reach a new board, "la carrière".
  4. Follow the path to the other side of the Brion Rock, with a view on Le Cheylard (and especially on the Chèze Castle) and the Rochebonne Castle. Stay on the path, along the Rock. The path becomes narrower and steeper. Be cautious, the way back is quite steep for 100 m to reach the parking lot, your starting point.
  • Departure : On the Brion site, take the path going right, down below
  • Towns crossed : JAUNAC

Altimetric profile


Access and parking

From Le Cheylard or Saint-Martin-de-Valamas, go to Jaunac. Before reaching the village, turn left in the direction of "Rocher de Brion" then follow the road for 3.5 km up to the Rock parking lot.

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