At Sernhac, south of Remoulins and Saint Bonnet du Gard, there are two tunnels that flank a small nice valley. The Perrotte and Cantarelles tunnels. Head through them to discover the chimneys by which men lowered equipment and raised the rubble during excavation. One can see traces of blows of pickaxes and holes for oil lamps. Today it is a quite popular place to find some shade and cool off for the villagers.
Description
Car park in Place de la Fontaine.
(S/E) Head towards the N86, cross it, pass the clock on the right heading along Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville. Then follow Rue de l’Église, go under the porch and head up the stepped path. After the fortified church, head right on a wide track (with views of St Bonnet) to the cross.
(1) In front of the cross veer right. After 600 m head up to the left between junipers and pines.
(2) Beneath Ferraud, continue straight towards Sernhac for a few metres to the Ferraud marker and head up to the left. Arrive on the ledge, cut across the trail and go straight (panoramic view). The trail descends into stiff gradient (take care) to a wall that we follow to the left.
(3) Continue left towards Chemin des Ronde and turn left off the path to cross the Perotte tunnel. On leaving the tunnel continue opposite, head down and then go up the stairs to reach the Cantarelles tunnel. Retrace your steps and reach Vallon marker on the right.
(4) Head to the right along the road in the direction of Dragonnet. Ignore Chemin des Olivettes on the right and continue straight to the village and the crossroads of Chemin des Anciens Combattants and Chemin des Déportés.
(5) Turn right and follow the GR6 to reach the Les Ormeaux and Sub Ferraud markings (2).
Head back to Saint-Bonnet by the path taken on the way out.
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 52 m
- 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 91 m - Ferraud
- 2 : km 1.48 - alt. 112 m - Sous Ferraud
- 3 : km 2.24 - alt. 85 m - Draille de Perrotte
- 4 : km 2.84 - alt. 62 m - Le Vallon
- 5 : km 3.45 - alt. 73 m - Chemin de l'Aqueduc
- S/E : km 5.83 - alt. 52 m
Useful Information
The valley where the tunnel is located is an ideal place for a picnic. Maybe a little too busy for people looking for a little isolation in the high season, but ideal with children.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
To see on the way:
The washhouse, fountain and the fortified church of Saint-Bonnet. The Tunnels of Sernhac.
To see nearby:
Pont du Gard: Please note access to the Pont du Gard car park (on the right bank and left bank) costs 18 euros per vehicle no matter the time parked as of 2015.
The beautiful village of Castillon du Gard, the only town where you can see the Pont du Gard.
