Going to Lozère? Be sure to visit Sainte-Énimie, one of the department’s most beautiful villages.
Venturing into the Tarn Gorge, you suddenly come upon a charming village on either side of the river. Over the years, Sainte-Énimie has become an important place of pilgrimage and tourism, with the village becoming famous for its legends. There’s plenty to do here, from cultural visits to hiking and white-water sports.
This small town of medieval origin can be explored on foot, and its history can be discovered through a number of signposted trails. All these assets have rightly earned it a place among the most beautiful villages in France. Are you convinced? To help you prepare for your visit, we’ve put together a list of the 7 must-see things to do in Sainte-Énimie.
1. The hermitage
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Pierre Bona
High above the village, the Hermitage is one of the must-sees in Sainte-Énimie. A monastery has been built at the entrance to the cave where Princess Enimie ended her life. Legend has it that the daughter of King Clotaire II and sister of Dagobert I wanted to escape the marriage her father was forcing upon her. She prayed to God to take away her beauty and became a leper.
Later, an angel appeared to her and told her to go to Burlatis, the former name of Sainte-Énimie. Once there, she bathed in the Burle fountain and miraculously recovered. When she tried to leave the village, the illness returned. So she decided to settle in a cave near the Burle spring, to live as a hermit. Hence the name Hermitage!
Today, pilgrims flock to the Hermitage every year, especially during the feast day. From the bridge, it takes 45 minutes to reach the Hermitage. The cave is no longer open to visitors, but you can look inside the semi-troglodyte monastery through a grate. Continue on to a small promontory offering exceptional views of the village below.
2. Notre-Dame du Gourg church
The fresco inside the church – Photo credit: Wikipedia – Ancalagon
At the bottom of the village, don’t miss another Sainte-Énimie must-see: the church of Notre-Dame du Gourg. The building was listed as a Monument Historique in 1985. You enter through a Romanesque portal with two arches. Once in the nave, take note of the semi-circular vaults and the choir.
The light that enters the apse through a beautiful window never fails to charm the visitor. The church features numerous statues in wood and stone. The finest of these dates from the 15th century and depicts Saint Anne in painted and gilded stone. She is holding the Virgin Mary, who is carrying the infant Jesus, on her left knee. Also of note is a ceramic piece depicting the life of Enimie.
3. Heritage walk
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Claudio Giovanni Colombo
The town council has put together a lovely heritage walk to help you discover all the must-see places in Sainte-Énimie. You can pick up a map at the tourist office. The walk lasts an hour and a half, and takes in the church square, the Chemin des Moines and the chapter house.
Various viewpoints over the city dot the route, and interpretation panels explain the history of each monument.
4. Scavenger hunt with the Baludik application
Photo credit: Shutterstock – RYSAN
In collaboration with the Lozère department, the Baludik app offers interactive walks through various villages. A great idea if you’re looking for what to visit in Sainte-Énimie with your family! To progress along the route, you’ll need to be resourceful and solve a number of riddles.
This real treasure hunt lets you discover the city’s cultural and historical heritage in a fun way. You’ll set off for a two-hour stroll at a very leisurely pace.
5. Gorges du Tarn trail to Castelbouc
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Claudio Giovanni Colombo
In the heart of the Tarn Gorge, welcome to Castelbouc, a semi-troglodyte village set against the cliffs. The ruined chateau overlooking the village always impresses travelers. After being abandoned for several decades, Castelbouc is gradually coming back to life thanks to the new inhabitants who are settling here.
You can reach it from Sainte-Énimie by following a path along the river. For 2.5 hours, you’ll walk along the water’s edge and in the shade of the cliffs, in an unspoilt natural setting. An excellent hike in Sainte-Énimie if you’re looking to recharge your batteries!
6. Comics Festival
Photo credit: Facebook – Enimie BD
Every first weekend in July, a not-to-be-missed event takes place in Sainte-Énimie for fans of the little bubbles. Renowned and independent authors are invited to share their work, through book signings and workshops.
The friendly atmosphere makes for a great time in the company of other fans of the genre. And what’s more, Sainte-Énimie has an exceptional setting and plenty of other things to do!
7. Canoe
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Stephane GEUS
There are many canoe rental companies in Sainte-Énimie, as well as paddles and canyoning trips. Set off in a kayak on 6 different routes to suit all levels.
From one hour to three days, you’ll discover the beauty of the Tarn gorges. You’ll be riding through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area. A must-do activity in Sainte-Énimie!
How do I get to Sainte-Énimie?
Due to its population density, Lozère is not the best served department in France. However, there are many ways to get to Sainte-Énimie.
By car
If you choose to drive :
- From Paris, drive to Clermond-Ferrand. Follow theA75 to exit 39.1 towards Nîmes/Mende/Chanac/Florac/Gorges du Tarn. Continue on the N88 to Chanac, then take the D31 and D44, following signs to Sainte-Énimie ;
- From Montpellier, take theA75 to exit 43 for Massegros/Gorges du Tarn. Follow the D995 to Massegros, then the D32 and D998 towards Sainte-Énimie ;
- From Lyon, take theA7 andA47 to Saint-Etienne, then the N88 to Balsièges. Then 20 kilometers on the D986 to Sainte-Énimie.
By train
If you want to visit Sainte-Énimie, this village has no train station. The nearest stations are Chanac, Banassac-La Canourgue, Marvejols, Séverac le Château, Mende and Millau. From Mende, you can rent a car. From Lyon, Montpellier or Clermont-Ferrand, your journey will be shared between train and bus.
By plane
The nearest airports are Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier and Rodez. You’ll then need to rent a car or use the public transport network to get to Sainte-Énimie. To find the best deals on plane tickets, use a comparator like Skyscanner. It will show you the most suitable solutions for reaching your destination quickly and at the best price.
Where to stay in Sainte-Énimie?
Sainte-Énimie is a small village, but it’s easy to find accommodation. There are several gîtes, campsites and hotels to choose from, but remember to book in season, as rooms can fill up quickly.
To find the best deals, use a hotel comparator. With just a few clicks, you’ll find the perfect place to stay, at the best possible price.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Sainte-Énimie, the neighboring villages have some great gîtes and chambres d’hôtes. For example, you can stay in Barnassac, La Canourgue, Chanac or Le Massegros.
Now that you know what to do in Sainte-Énimie, pack your bags for adventure!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Sainte-Enimie