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Mont Gerbier de Jonc

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The Loire has its cradle at the foot of this astonishing natural belvedere 1551 m high. The ascent will allow you, after 30 minutes of climbing, to admire a 360° panorama. On a clear day, you will be able to see the whiteness of Mont Blanc.

Description

A long-cooled lava needle volcano, the Gerbier de Jonc, placed like a cone on the Ardèche plateau, is with the Gouléïou located in the Boutières cirque, the archetype of the phonolitic juices of this territory. Its lava, phonolite, is an acidic volcanic rock that emits a particular sound when struck.
From the Gerbier de Jonc and the surrounding phonolitic reliefs, rises the longest river in France: the Loire, whose sources they dominate by 150m.
Resulting from ancient volcanism (10 to 5 million years ago), Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc is a real watering can. From all sides the water escapes from it, southern slope (Sainte Eulalie) towards the Atlantic, northern slope (Saint Martial) towards the Mediterranean. By its relief, its climatic conditions and particular substrates, this site offers an exceptional faunal and floristic richness in addition to a grandiose landscape. Many remarkable and often threatened species have been recorded. (information provided to the triptych).
The 3 km Sources de La Loire trail will allow you to discover the other particularities of the site: from the “authentic” to the “true” source of the Loire, including the “geographical source”. – This classified site is also a stage of the Pradal Valley discovery trail.
The compact shape of the Gerbier is linked to the very pasty nature of the lava emitted at temperatures of 600°C to 800°C. It is a dome built slowly and gradually, about 7 million years ago, from the ascent of magma through faults and breaks in the basement (substratum). As this growth progresses, the surrounding lava cools, becomes brittle, resulting in the appearance of deep and wide cracks as well as the flow of the very massive slab domes around its perimeter. The fragmentation and the fall of these rocks are at the origin of the scree which coats the base of the relief.
The Gerbier de Jonc is also a classified geosite of the Monts d'Ardèche Geopark (UNESCO).

Opening

All year.

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Geographical source of the Loire

It flows in a stone trough inside an old renovated farmhouse with a Lauze roof. It is possible to drink water directly from the source.

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Authentic source of the Loire

The "authentic source" symbolizes, by the monument erected in 1938 by the Touring Club of France, the source of the Loire. Nearby, a triptych of information on the Gerbier-de-Jonc platform and the Maison de site.

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True source of the Loire

Sainte-eulalie

True source of the Loire

This source corresponds to the official source indicated on the cadastral plan n° 87. It flows in a natural environment, it comes out of the ground in a meadow, under a stone which bears the inscription “here begins my road to the ocean”.

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Municipal campsite of Sainte-Eulalie

35 semi-shaded pitches for tents and caravans. Terraced land, uncovered terraces. Motorhome area with electrical terminals, emptying and filling points. Children's games, picnic tables. Rental of chalets for 2 to 6 people.

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Bourlatier Farm

Sagnes-et-Goudoulet
Taste the Ardèche®Values ​​Regional Natural Park

Bourlatier Farm

XNUMXth century farmhouse. which testifies to the architectural heritage. During the independent visit, discover the history of the region, the architecture in phase with the geology of the territory, the social life.
Temporary exhibitions.

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Volcanic juices: Pelean volcanoes

A Pelean volcano is of the extrusive type, that is to say that it involves a viscous magma, not very rich in gas, building domes. Depending on the viscosity of the lava, the domes can be built according to several shapes.

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The five juices

Sainte-eulalie

The five juices

The five peaks are dome-shaped Pelean volcanoes from the same family as the famous Mont Gerbier de Jonc. Their names are: Montfol, Sépoux, Séponet, Taupernas and Lauzière.

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Juice of Les Coux

Sagnes-et-Goudoulet

Juice of Les Coux

 "Les Coux", a toponym used by the IGN, is actually called the Suc de "Leckous", this volcano is also known under the name, of Celtic origin, of "Lech'ous". The Suc de Leckous is a plateau in the shape of a crescent moon.

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Restaurant Chez Régine – Source of the Loire

Traditional cuisine from the real source of the Loire, local products. At Régine's, you will taste traditional Ardèche dishes and seasonal specialties (Maôche, Fin Gras du Mézenc, blueberry tarts).

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Communal gite n°3

Sainte-eulalie

Communal gite n°3

Set of 6 lodgings fitted out below the village.
We are located 5 minutes from Mont Gerbier de Jonc, “Sources de la Loire”. Mid-mountain environment ideal for hiking, mountain biking, 1st category river fishing.

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Communal gite n°5

Sainte-eulalie

Communal gite n°5

Set of 6 lodgings fitted out below the village.
We are located 5 minutes from Mont Gerbier de Jonc, “Sources de la Loire”. Mid-mountain environment ideal for hiking, mountain biking, 1st category river fishing.

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Communal gite n°6

Sainte-eulalie

Communal gite n°6

Set of 6 lodgings fitted out below the village.
We are located 5 minutes from Mont Gerbier de Jonc, “Sources de la Loire”. Mid-mountain environment ideal for hiking, mountain biking, 1st category river fishing.

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Communal gite n°4

Sainte-eulalie

Communal gite n°4

Set of 6 lodgings fitted out below the village.
We are located 5 minutes from Mont Gerbier de Jonc, “Sources de la Loire”. Mid-mountain environment ideal for hiking, mountain biking, 1st category river fishing.

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Admission fees

Free access.

Location

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