Combas combines a rich local history with the landscapes of the Bois de Lens, vineyards and designated circular routes.
For planning your own trip, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment in Combas.
History
The Church of Saint-Brice was already mentioned in 1099 in a papal bull as property of Psalmodi Abbey. In the 14th century, it was incorporated into the fortification walls and became the village keep. To this day, the building bears traces of the attack by 300 Camisards under the command of Dayre on 5 June 1703; the upper part of the church was destroyed in the process.
Historical traces have also been preserved at the Fontaine Mère de Dieu. There, the remains of a washhouse probably built in the 19th or 20th century can be identified, including two large basins.
Nature and Trails
A walk along the slope of the Bois de Lens leads to the Serre du Suc, a viewpoint overlooking the entire region. The Bois de Lens characterises the landscape and is considered an ecological reserve with a fragile balance. Its area also contains numerous remains of quarries and lime kilns.
The circular route around Combas runs through the area surrounding the village, between wooded hills and the vineyard plain.
Cycling
For mountain bikes, the La Plaine de Combas mountain-bike circular route offers an 8.2-kilometre trail with a duration of 1 hour and 121 metres of positive elevation gain. The moderately difficult route starts and ends in Combas. The car park at the cooperative winery is recommended as a parking area. The route is marked with the yellow markings of the local trail network and the corresponding signs.
The Le Bois des Lens mountain-bike circular route is more challenging: it is 25.2 kilometres long, has 607 metres of positive elevation gain, is rated difficult, and also starts and ends in Combas. The route offers views of the Cévennes, Pic Saint-Loup and, in clear weather, Mont Ventoux.
Geographical Location
Combas is located approximately 23 kilometres west of Nîmes via the D999.
