Saint-Guiral, la montagne du troisième ermite

Alzon (sommet limitrophe de Dourbies et de Saint-Jean-du-Bruel)

South of the Aigoual, the Saint-Guiral raises a granite rock to 1,366 metres, above the valleys of the Dourbie. A cross still stands there overlooking the valley. The mountain bears the name of one of the three hermits of the legend, the one that also names the Pic Saint-Loup and the Mont Saint-Clair at Sète. In the Cévennes version, the three brothers are called Guiral, Alban and Sulpice, sons of the lord of Roquefeuil. All three love Berthe, daughter of the lord of Cantobre. The abbot Bernard, of the monastery of Nant, has them read the Scriptures; touched by grace, they become hermits, each on a mountain, and Berthe enters the abbey of Nonenque. Each year, on the anniversary of their choice, each lights a fire to say that he is still there; gradually the fires go out. The summit was long a place of pilgrimage: in 1885, three thousand pilgrims from the neighbouring villages climbed it on Whit Monday. Saint Guiral was said to protect flocks, heal the infirm and find husbands for young girls. None of this is dated by an ancient text; these are traditions disseminated today by Gard Tourisme and by hiking guides.

Gard Tourisme — La légende des 3 ermites ↗

Getting there: On foot only. Saint-Guiral trail waymarked from Dourbies (Gard Tourisme); large loop of 28.5 km and 1,176 m of ascent from the leisure base of La Roque, at Saint-Jean-du-Bruel (Grands Causses Espace Trail). Free access; exposed rocky summit.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound