The troglodyte village of Barry

A family-friendly trail that explores the troglodyte village of Barry, one of the finest and largest in France.

Technical sheet

4098569
A Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux walk posted on 23/08/15 by LB_Neil. Last update : 04/12/18
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.34 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 85 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 80 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 283 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 208 m

Description

The cathedral cellars of Mas Théo via Saint-Restitut (follow signs for “Caves Cathédrales”). You can park at the viewpoint at the entrance of the site.

‘’No markings but some marker posts at strategic intersections ''

(S) From the car park, go beneath the site entrance portico and follow the paved road framed by large blocks of stone and cypress trees leading to the entrance of the cellars.

(1) Take the path to the right of explanatory panels that enters the forest. The balcony section offers views of the Rhone Valley and its factories on occasion...
At the marked crossing B5, pass by the path on the left and continue straight. Soon after, a new crossroads of many small paths occurs, (take a right to access the ruins of the castle), continue straight on the main trail.
The journey continues with a sunken road that slopes gently to the marker B2.
Pass by the path on the left and continue straight to reach the first ruins of the village of Barry.

Note: take a moment to leave the path here and explore the different cave dwellings. Take care near to the cliffs because the site is not secure and do head back to the main path every time.

Lower down at marker B1, a small round trip to the right (a small sign) provides access to the orientation table. Back on the main trail, continue down to the rocks to reach the viewpoint below.

(2) Head left in a turn and drive along a long building up a cross. Pass by a path to the right and continue straight through the slightly more recent ruins.
100 m further down a path from the right joins the trail, continue across to the fountain/washhouse, then even further to reach the chapel.
Continue for several metres, go past the ruins and cross a fence to return to the asphalt road. Make a right turn and find a left path up into the oaks.

(3) Turn left and climb the trail that passes between new ruins, a little hidden by vegetation. 150 m above the trail leading to the plateau at marker B4 there are views of the western part of the village.
Turn left on the fairly flat path. At times you will notice gullying in the rock caused by carts that once carried stones from the quarries. Reach the B3 tag.

(4) 100 m further on, it turns right and comes to a fork. Continue on the path passing by a trail that leads downhill, and quickly arrive at the next fork (with a marker with no number). Turn right. After a short uphill section and a ledge, the trail arrives at the B10 crossroads.

(5) Turn left, locate an old water tank to your left, and then continue on the right hand a truffle field. Arrive further on at the junction B9. Turn left, pass by an esplanade where the path then veers right and leads to marker B8.
Take the wide path to the right that leads to the marker B7 on the D218.
Veer left onto the road to reach the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 277 m
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 273 m - To the right there are explanatory panels - Caves Cathédrales de Saint-Restitut
  3. 2 : km 1.59 - alt. 210 m - Turn left around a bend
  4. 3 : km 2.05 - alt. 209 m - Turn left and climb the trail
  5. 4 : km 2.45 - alt. 237 m - Turn right at marker B3
  6. 5 : km 3.28 - alt. 263 m - Turn left at the B10 marker
  7. S/E : km 4.34 - alt. 277 m

Useful Information

The cave dwellings can provide shelter to hikers.

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

Troglodyte village of Barry
A remarkable collection of the remains from a time frame spanning from Celto-Ligurian to the Romans until the nineteenth century.
The troglodyte village in one of the finest and largest in France
The medieval village on the rocky outcrop is defended by the eleventh and twelfth century castle
The protohistoric oppidum that historians believe to be the location of the city of Aéria, the principal Tricastini city

The Cathedral Cellars
In 2012, Le Mas Theo moved into the cathedral cellars. This unique site, dug into the chalky rock of Saint Restitut, providing the ideal conditions, both humidity and temperature, suited for the production and storage of wines. The spirit of the place is in total harmony with the biodynamic approach to its production.
Open all year: open daily except Sundays from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 19:00. In July and August, opens on Sundays and holidays from 14:30 to 18:30. Annual holiday from 6 to 20 January

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
MarianneK
MarianneK

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 29/02/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Malheureusement la piste s'arrête a un moment donné. On ne pouvait pas fait le tour complet parce qu'une grille (de protection?) avait été placé. On a donc fait demi-tour en est revenu par le chemin de l'aller. Il pleuvait. Du coup on a été gâté par un très bel arc en ciel

ecilarewop
ecilarewop

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 07/07/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The Troglodyte village was closed for restoration when i did this walk so check with the tourist office before you go. It's still a lovely walk and you get a view of the village from across the valley but you can't go in to the village itself.

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