The village of Cornillon is on a hill in the north of the Gard department, and is one of several picturesque historic villages in this region.
Exploring Cornillon
France This Way review: Cornillon is quite small and perhaps rather ignored because of its more famous 'neighbours' such as La Roque-sur-Cèze but we thought it was a lovely little historic village and well worth visiting.
The village has two parts, with more recent development in the Cèze river valley and the historic centre on the hill high above. It is of course the historic centre that is of interest to visitors (although we were also pleased to find a supermarket and petrol station in the lower part of the village).
The drive up the hill to the centre of old Cornillon is along an attractive road through woodland until you reach the large car park on the edge of the village that gives easy access to the historic centre.
Before heading in to the centre of the village walk straight on passed the side of the church and on to a footpath that quickly leads you to parts of the town's original defensive walls as well as very extensive views across the Cèze valley. Unfortunately this is when you wish they hadn't built a supermarket and other buildings in the valley because these spoil the view slightly but it is still impressive.
Continuing now into the centre of Cornillon, there are two parallel streets and various small alleys between them. Stroll around the village and you can admire lots of traditional stone houses, narrow alleys and small gardens. Here in the centre of the village you can also see the ruins of an ancient castle, which has great views from the courtyard and is now sometimes used as a small theatre.
When we visited in October there was very little sign of activity in Cornillon but I understand that during the summer several of the houses are actually small art and craft shops or cafes.
After exploring the centre of the village stroll down the hill a short distance from the car park and passed the cemetery to see the lavoir, which has been recently renovated, and also several sarcophagi in an open grassy area...
Neither of these attractions is particularly exciting if truth be told but when you turn around to walk back towards Cornillon you get a lovely view of the village and church ahead of you: this view is the main reason why you have walked down the hill!
Attractions near Cornillon
The countryside along the Cèze valley is often very scenic and there are also numerous small villages and natural attractions nearby which is why this is one of our favourite parts of France.
Very close by you can also take a stroll along the canal in Goudargues, while just a few kilometres south the village of La Roque-sur-Cèze and the Cascades du Sautadet are an unmissable highlight. North of Cornillon, the Gorges de l'Ardeche are also stunning.
You can find more travel ideas in the Gard guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Photos of Cornillon
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Map of Cornillon and places nearby
Visit near Cornillon with France This Way reviews
Goudargues
Goudargues is a small town on the banks of a canal in the Gard department in the Cèze valley
Goudargues guide
La Roque-sur-Ceze
It is very lovely exploring the steep streets in the ancient village of La Roque-sur-Ceze
La Roque-sur-Ceze guide
Montclus
Montclus is a tiny but beautiful village in a lovely setting on the Cèze river
Montclus guide
Aigueze
The pretty village of Aigueuze, listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', also has great views across the Gorges de l'Ardeche
Aigueze guide
Lussan
Lussan is a pretty village of character in Languedoc-Roussillon with two ancient castles
Lussan guide
Bagnols-sur-Ceze
Bagnols-sur-Céze is one of the largest towns in the northern Gard region of Languedoc-Roussillon
Bagnols-sur-Ceze guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gard
Address: Cornillon, Pont-Saint-Esprit, Nîmes, Languedoc-Roussillon, 30630, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.2258, longitude 4.4875
Plan your visit to Cornillon, Gard
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- La Roque-sur-Ceze: most beautiful village (4 km)
- Cascades du Sautadet: site of natural beauty (5 km)
- Aigueze: most beautiful village (10 km)
- Aven d'Orgnac: grand site of france (11 km)
- Grotte de Saint-Marcel: site of natural beauty (13 km)
- Réserve naturelle nationale des Gorges de l'Ardèche: site of natural beauty (14 km)
- Gorges de l'Ardeche: grand site of france (21 km)
- La Ferme aux crocodiles: zoo or wildlife park (23 km)
- Uzes: town of art and history (24 km)
- Cathédrale Saint-Théodorit et Fenestrelle Tower (Uzes): religious monument (25 km)
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux): religious monument (26 km)
- Orange Roman Theatre: heritage site (27 km)
The French version of this page is at Cornillon (Francais)