Saint-Michel
Vue depuis la Statue Saint-Michel
Vue depuis la Statue Saint-Michel - OT GAPA
VIVIERS

Saint-Michel

This hike isn't long, but the path up and down from the viewpoint at the base of the statue is steep and rocky. It can be a little slippery in places.
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This hike passes through the historic heart of Viviers and then climbs a steep, rocky path to the summit of Saint-Michel Hill, which offers beautiful views of Viviers and its wooded surroundings, the Rhône Valley, and the Vercors in the distance.
Start with the rich architectural heritage of Viviers then a small road takes you to the foot of the Saint-Michel hill and a path in the undergrowth takes you up to its statue offering superb 360° views. Ridge path then descent in the undergrowth before following wide and flat paths in the gorge.

Description

  1. Departure from the Tourist Office. On your left is the Maison Diocésaine (former Major Seminary), and the statue of Charles de Foucauld, linguist and geographer, ordained a priest in Viviers. From here, turn right down Rue de la République. This bends to the right.
  2. Follow the signs to the Place de la République, where you will find the Maison des Chevaliers. The house can be recognised by its elaborate Renaissance-style façade (commissioned by Noël Albert, a wealthy local merchant in 1546). From the square, walk up the Rue du Château.
  3. After 150, turn left under the gate to go up to the cathedral. Look out for the Châteauvieux esplanade on your left, then return to the forecourt and cross the Place Saint-Jean. Take the vaulted passageway then go down the montée de l'abri. A staircase on your left will take you to the town hall car park.
  4. As you leave the street, follow the road down towards the Rhône. Go along the wall and take the 1st small road on the right. Follow the white and yellow signs (PR) for this walk. The old port was located on the cliff on the right. You can see the holes for the rings used to moor the boats. This is where Richelieu docked in 1642. Continue along the tarmac road. Do not take the path up to the cemetery. After passing a stone wall on your left, a yellow and white sign indicates that you need to turn right.
  5. Take the path that leaves the road and, after passing under some trees, go up to the right, past the foot of the cliff and up into the woods.
  6. Caution for children: dangerous passage near a cliff. You will arrive at the statue of Saint-Michel slaying the dragon. This statue measures 9m 50. It was erected by the town of Viviers after the Second World War to thank Saint-Michel for protecting it from the bombardments. Retrace your steps to the post with the yellow sign, then turn left. Be careful as you descend steeply for a few metres between large rocks. The path descends into the undergrowth, then climbs back up to follow the ridge, then plunges to the right again into the undergrowth. Towards the end of the descent, a path on the left allows you to make a short round trip to admire a natural arch (probably carved into the rock by the waters of the Rhône). Be careful not to venture too close: there is a risk of falling. When you reach the houses, turn left onto the road. Leave the road quickly to take the first path on your left. This leads to a path. Take the path through the undergrowth that descends to the left (follow the yellow and white markings). Then turn left onto the wide track that runs northwards along the foot of the hill. At the end of the track, take the path on the right.
  7. When you reach the tarmac road, turn left. After 50 m, take the ViaRhôna on your right, then continue towards the port; from there take the Allée du Rhône as far as Place de la Roubine. Turn right and then left into rue Chèvrerie . At the end of this street, turn right to return to the Tourist Office.
  • Departure : Viviers Tourist Office
  • Arrival : Viviers Tourist Office
  • Towns crossed : VIVIERS

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Information desks

Place du Champ de Mars, 07700 Bourg-Saint-Andéol

https://www.gorges-ardeche-pontdarc.fr/info@gorges-ardeche-pontdarc.fr0475545420

5 place Riquet, 07220 Viviers

https://www.gorges-ardeche-pontdarc.fr/info@gorges-ardeche-pontdarc.fr0475545420

Transport

Stop : La Poste
BUS E19 : Montélimar - Le Teil - Viviers - St-Thomé
Keolis line E19 - 04 75 44 10 33
BUS E20 : Montélimar - Le Teil - Viviers - Bourg-St-Andéol - Pont-St-Esprit
Keolis line E20 - 04 75 44 10 33

Access and parking

From Aubenas, follow the N102 towards Alba-la-Romaine, then the D107, then the D86 to reach Viviers. Park near the Tourist Office.
From Montélimar, follow the D73 to Châteauneuf-du-Rhône and beyond to Viviers. At the roundabout after the bridge over the Rhône, turn right and park near the Tourist Office.
From Vallon Pont d'Arc, take the D4 to Bourg-Saint-Andéol, then head north on the D86 to reach Viviers.

Parking :

Parking Billon, Esplanade or Roubine

Report a problem or an error

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