LE CASTELLAS DE MONTOULIEU

The Castellas de Montoulieu was cleared from the brush in 2000 and was built on the top of a hill, from where it acted as a lookout. Overlooking the valley, it watched over the Roman road of the Rutenes that linked Nîmes to Rodez. Later, a larger castle was built and a small village was established at the foot of the ramparts. With the appearance of Protestantism, the lord abandoned the Catholic religion and supported the Camisards. The castle was burned and its owner arrested. Immobilized in time following its abandonment, it is now in ruins, and is at the heart of an important construction site for reasons of safety and enhancement of the remains.

Walk : An easy 6.8 km hike starting from the place de l'Eglise de Montoulier allows you to go up to the castle through the garrigue and the coniferous and hackberry plantations to the ruined castle, then to return to the starting point in about 2h15. To see on the way: the viewpoint over the valley of Montoulieu, the wood of Monnier, the valley of Alzon and the Mont Haut; the farmhouses, typical of traditional architecture; the Castellas in ruins, the former site of the village; the interpretation path around the castle.