LOOP CYCLO N°14 - LE TOUR DU PUECH DES MOURGUES

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You'll set off from Vacquières, a village nestled between the garrigues and the renowned vineyards of the Pic Saint-Loup. While winegrowing still plays a major role in the village's landscape and economy (statue of Notre-Dame-des-Vignerons), a number of craftsmen perpetuate the tradition of glassmaking, following in the footsteps of the gentleman glassmakers. As you leave the village on the D109, you can make a detour to the left (3 km A/R on the road) to reach the picturesque Romanesque Pont de Cammaous (11th c.) spanning the Brestalou, a tributary of the Vidourle. This is one of the few bridges in the so-called "pointed arch" style, as they only allowed donkeys to cross, not carts. Follow the D109 for 1.5 km, then turn left onto the D107.

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You're off for a stretch of around 8 km on a simply splendid road. If you're a Sunday rider, you'll undoubtedly encounter fewer motorists on this stretch than local cyclists, who appreciate the beauty of the quiet roads. You'll pass through vineyards, holm oaks and pine forests until you reach the D21 junction at a high point.

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From the D21, you descend via a succession of bends that open onto a beautiful panorama, with the Puech des Mourgues dominating on the right. The road then climbs steeply to reach the village of Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel.

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The village of Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel lies at the foot of the Puech des Mourgues, a remarkable site for walking and climbing. Before the present-day Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel, located at the bottom of the hill, there were several settlements on the hillside dating back to Neolithic times. The remains of the ancient "Mormellicum", established on the hillside as early as the 5th century, and the ruins of the Mourgues convent, built on the Puech and abandoned at the beginning of the 15th century, are still visible to hikers along the paths. From Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel, take the D1 towards Sainte-Croix-de-Quintillargues. This downhill road is relatively busy.

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Before Sainte-Croix-de-Quintillargues, turn right onto the quieter D109 to Fontanès. The small village of Fontanès is well worth a visit, with its church and architecture typical of the wine-growing boom that characterized the Languedoc region in the 18th and especially 19th centuries.

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On leaving Fontanès, continue on the D109.

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After 2 km, turn left onto the D107E2. The road continues to climb, on very quiet pavement. At the bottom of the descent that follows, we recommend you make a detour to the left, to reach the magnificent Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Aleyrac. It's a short detour (approx. 3 km round trip). After this detour, rejoin the D107E2 to reach Sauteyrargues after 2 km.

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Set between vineyards and hills carpeted with holm oaks and pines, Sauteyrargues offers a remarkable living environment. The village is divided into four hamlets: Vabres, Laudou, Lascours and Les Rives. In the heart of the village, you'll find one of the region's most beautiful Romanesque churches.

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After the village, simply take the D107 back to Vacquières via Vabre. When you arrive, you'll see the old wind pump on the right-hand side of the road, still visible today. It was built over a well dug in 1899, and was used to transport water to a reservoir in the center of the village.

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