Randonnée : L'Ermitage et site Paleontologique – Ucel

From the old industrial district of Pont d'Aubenas, this semi-urban loop explores the heights of Ucel and its old sites steeped in history: the medieval village nestled on its rock around the ruins of the castle; the hermitage guarding the tomb of a lady of the manor and the paleontological Sartres preserving on the sandstone slabs the (sub)prints of the first dinosaurs.

The route is "cherry-shaped", with the tail 😉: a loop (=the cherry) is joined by a round-trip section between Pont d'Ucel and Villa Paradis. In very hot weather, it is best to park in the large village of Ucel (=Château d'Ucel) to avoid this steep urban section with no shade.

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➤ PONT D'UCEL: departure from the “INFO RANDO” sign in the Espace Deydier car park.

The name Deydier comes from a notable Ardèche family, pioneers of the silk industry in Ardèche and France. Jacques Deydier founded the silk spinning and throwing mill in 1675 (now the premises of the Community of Communes), which was elevated to the rank of Royal Manufacture in 1752 by order of the King, with the help of the famous Grenoble mechanic Jacques de Vaucansson. The site included, in addition to the industrial elements (building housing the workshops, 25 organising mills and as many reeling mills; supply canal and hydraulic machinery) a chapel, a park with gardens and a training school for spinners and throwers. The Deydiers distinguished themselves with high official awards, ranking first in our country in the silk industry.

➤ Join the "Pont d'Ucel" post at the edge of the Route de la Manufacture Royale then follow it to the left towards "Villa Paradis". After 200 m, just before the Aubenas bridge, cross to go down the street in steps, go under the arch and go up the steps. At the top, cross the street and go up the Route du Lauzas opposite (it's a steep climb for 300 m!). 600 m further on, at the crow's foot, take the road on the left to reach the "Villa Paradis" crossroads.

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➤ VILLA PARADIS: go up the Route des Plaines on the left for 500 m to find the “le Mas d'Ucel” crossroads.

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➤ LE MAS D'UCEL: follow the signs for "le grand village" straight ahead, then after 80m, go down the impasse du Pestrin opposite. At the bottom of the stairs, turn left, then immediately right onto Route du Mas until you reach the sign for "Le Grand Village". A round trip is highly recommended to explore the narrow streets.

The Grand Village is the medieval district of Ucel, grouped around the castle, of which only the ruins of a polygonal enclosure remain. Perched on a sandstone rock overlooking the Ardèche, this strategic site allowed control of the ancient road leading from Aubenas to Puy-en-Velay. A Roman fort was succeeded by a medieval castle, probably dating back to the 1213th century, forming, with the adjoining houses, a fortified complex with ramparts and gates. In the 1573th century, the castle was the residence of the d'Ucel family, powerful lords of the area, who also enjoyed the castle of Rochecolombe, Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron, and silver mines at Largentière. But the feudal conflicts of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries ended in XNUMX with the destruction of the castle by the Count of Toulouse and the transfer of the fief to the Montlaur family, lords of Aubenas. The d'Ucel family then found refuge in Genestelle and built the castle of Craux there. Later, having become a haven for Catholics during the Wars of Religion, the castle of Ucel and its castral village were demolished by the Protestants in XNUMX, during the "sack" of Ucel.

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➤ THE GRAND VILLAGE: Take the walled path on the right, which winds uphill towards "les Clos" until you reach a small road. Follow it to the left and continue on the stone path which climbs to the right to the Hermitage estate. A short round trip allows you to discover this astonishing building (Please respect private property and do not go beyond the steps). The route goes around the hermitage from upstream and climbs through the woods to the ridge.

Isolated on the slopes of the Sandron valley, the building consists of a Gothic-style chapel and partly troglodyte dwellings, forming a courtyard. Legend has it that the chapel was built on the tomb of Blanche, the wife of Reymond d'Ucel, who perished during the attack on the castle in the 1471th century. The lord then ceded the site to hermits upon his death in exchange for prayers for him and his wife. The date 2010, engraved on a lintel of the chapel, indicates a much more recent construction. The site was occupied by hermits continuously until the mid-2000s. In the early XNUMXs, the hermit priest held services there.

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➤ LES CLOS: Turn right towards “Les Taillades” via the flat track.

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➤ LES TAILLADES: Continue straight on the track towards "le Peintre" through maritime pine forests. The track descends and continues along a tarmac road before reaching the next crossroads.

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➤ THE PAINTER: Turn left onto the tarmac road towards "Villa Paradis". Further on, the tarmac disappears and a path leads between the properties to the "Le Sartres" signpost.

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➤ LE SARTRES: A final round trip provides access to the paleontological site
d'Ucel. The route continues south towards “Villa Paradis”.

The Ucel paleontological geosite preserves in Triassic sandstone the (sub)prints of 3 species among the first dinosaurs to populate the region 220 million years ago. The site was developed by the Monts d'Ardèche National Park in 2020 as part of the Geopark (UNESCO label).

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➤ VILLA PARADIS: return to Pont d’Ucel by the same route as on the way there… but downhill.