Sentier des Pénitents

From Place de la République, go past the large hiking information panel and follow the urban markers of the Pénitents discovery trail. Go up Rue Clovis Piscon then turn left at Porte Saint Cristol and go up Rue Saint-Roch to the Saint-Roch chapel. This trail is the preferred route to discover this particular rock that is the Poudingue. It was formed a few million years ago, by consolidation of rock debris torn from the Alpine chain during uplift. It is erosion that carved these cones and blades forming the cliff in a thick layer of hardened puddingstones from the Mio-Pliocene period. The path passes at the feet of the Pénitents, who legend has it were monks petrified by St Donat for not having been able to resist the temptation of too beautiful Moorish women. At the pass, take the path going down to the left towards the shady side of the Pénitents. By a series of wooden steps, descend under the oaks, pass in front of 3 viewpoints and join the track at the foot of the hill.

Option: from the pass, possibility of doing the San Peyre loop. Total duration: 3h30, mileage: 4 km, elevation: 420 m.
Turn left and return by the main track towards the village of Les Mées. Pass in front of the “Tunnel de la mine” and by the rue du Rocher join the departure route.