Provence, a huge playground just a stone’s throw away from Montcaud.
Action-packed holidays: the ultimate thrill, Château de Montcaud style
Does a stay at the Château necessarily mean lounging by the pool? Indian summer days spent lounging by the pool? By far not the only way to enjoy a stay at Château de Montcaud. Especially not for our thrill-seeking guests!
Surrounding Château de Montcaud, the garrigue landscape, gorges and Provençal sky become a playground for those craving adrenaline rather than chill-out time. Whether it’s canoeing, via ferrata, paragliding or golf, the very same map that reveals our cultural treasures conceals, just a stone’s throw away, a completely different side of the region. More vertical. Faster. More exhilarating.
On the water: canoeing and kayaking on the Cèze, Gardon and Ardèche rivers
The Cèze flows right on our doorstep. In Goudargues, Cèze Canoës offers five routes ranging from 3 to 19 kilometers, running from April to October through gorges and lush green valleys, giving you the choice between a leisurely family outing or a more energetic, full-day trip.
Further south, the Gardon Gorges - a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve - offer a wild canyon where canoeing and swimming blend into a pristine landscape. For those seeking more intense thrills, the Ardèche Gorges and the renowned Pont d'Arc - a 60-metre-high natural arch - offer canoeing, kayaking and rafting routes ranging from family-friendly trips to more challenging rapid courses.
High above the ground: via ferrata, rock climbing and mountaineering
Between Uzès and the Pont du Gard, the village of Collias is home to a 600-metre via ferrata carved into the cliffs of the Gardon Gorges, featuring ladders, a monkey bridge, two zip lines and a 35-metre rappel as the grand finale. Allow around three hours, including the hike to get there. The same canyon also offers rock climbing and introductory mountaineering sites for those who prefer to climb at their own pace, with or without a guide.
In the air: paragliding and skydiving
Near Méjannes-le-Clap and Mont Bouquet, Viento Parapente offers tandem flights for all ages - from 4 to 99 - lasting around fifteen minutes over the lush garrigue landscape. With some twenty free-flight sites in the region, there are plenty of options depending on the day’s wind conditions. Free-fall enthusiasts can also find skydiving clubs and introductory jump experiences in the Gard and neighbouring Ardèche.
On land: Cycling and hiking
The Château provides guests with complimentary standard and electric bicycles, subject to availability, for exploring the Cèze Valley and its surroundings, an area ideally suited for hybrid cycling. More ambitious cyclists might venture as far as Mont Ventoux - visible from Sabran on clear days - whose legendary slopes draw cyclists from around the world every summer.
As for hiking, several trails start directly from the Château for walks through the Cèze Valley, while seasoned hikers can access the long-distance GR trails of the Ardèche and the Cévennes.
Golf: A swing between the Camargue and the Cévennes
About thirty kilometres away, the Uzès Gold Club unfolds its nine holes (par 36, 2906 metres) set within a 25-hectare estate. The course winds its way among cherry, vine and olive trees, flanked by two rivers and a variety of native flora. At once accessible and challenging, it appeals to beginners and seasoned players alike. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it: the driving range, putting green and short-game area allow you to learn the ropes or get back into the swing of things at your own pace, free from the pressure of keeping score.
Exercise begins in the Château park
Even before you get in the car, Montcaud has its own take on fitness: enjoying the great outdoors. Across five hectares of wooded parkland, you can unroll a yoga mat beneath a tree, complete an 800-metre jotting circuit or take a dip in the outdoor pool. For those seeking more playful pastimes, tennis, boules, table tennis and other outdoor games offer the perfect opportunity for a rematch between excursions. It’s the ideal way to stay active, without ever leaving the estate.