A Hospitaller heritage carved in stone
Along the peaceful streets of Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues, traces of a prestigious past await: the Commandery of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Founded around 1150, this commandery was a center of spiritual and economic power, with influence reaching far beyond the Sorgues Valley.
Located just south of the present-day church (rebuilt in the 19th century), the commandery enjoyed the splendour of the Middle Ages before being partially destroyed during the Wars of Religion in the 16th and 17th centuries — a period of intense conflict between Catholics and Protestants that profoundly shaped local history.
Today, as you wander the quiet streets, you will encounter the powerful remains of this glorious era :
- Two ruined towers, sentinels of the past,
- A medieval curtain wall from 1438, visible on the village’s southern side,
- And the Saint-Jean Gate, the last intact remain of the fortified enclosure, once the entrance to the commandery.
A fascinating journey into a Middle Ages that still feels alive today.
Saint-Caprazy, a revived medieval hamlet
Just a stone’s throw from the village, the hamlet of Saint-Caprazy welcomes you into a timeless medieval settlement. Once an outpost of the Hospitaller Commandery of Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues, this site, dormant since 1949, has been brought back to life, stone by stone, thanks to an extraordinary collective effort.
Among restored 12th- to 14th-century houses, a traditional workshop, a dovecote, and scenic rural views, come and explore a rural heritage site honoured with the Loto du Patrimoine and the Departmental Heritage First Prize.
Meet Bruno, a woodturner
In the heart of this revived hamlet, Bruno Chartier welcomes you to his workshop, Capstylebois.
Passionate and inspiring, he introduces you to the art of woodturning, where precise gestures meet living materials. Lamps, stoppers, pens, tableware, or candlesticks — each piece is unique, handcrafted, and inspired by its surroundings.
Attend a demonstration in this welcoming workshop, it’s an authentic encounter with a skilled artisan and the land that inspires his craft.
Hikes, nature and preserved tranquillity
Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues is a true haven for hikers.
Ancient drovers’ paths and shepherds’ trails, lined with boxwood, guide you through breathtaking landscapes and hidden natural wonders.
Five marked trails starting from the village invite you to explore the stunning landscapes of the Sorgues Valley at your own pace. Whether you’re a leisurely walker or an experienced hiker, each loop offers a full immersion in the region’s nature and history.
- De 4 à 15 km – Entre 1h30 et 4h30 de marche – Niveau facile à modéré
Some of the most beautiful viewpoints :
- The Abbey of Nonenque : discreet and spiritual, nestled in a secluded valley,
- The winding Sorgues Valley : where water whispers over the pebbles,
- The Guilhaumard and Loubière plateaus : true biodiversity treasures,
- The Quille de Berger : a mysterious rocky spire rising from the landscape like a sign from another time.
Each trail promises discovery, serenity, and wonder.
Note : The routes can be downloaded via the app or at rando.parc-grands-causses.fr
Whether you come for the history, the nature, the rural heritage, or the human encounters, Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues offers far more than a setting : it offers an experience.
Here, life slows down naturally.
You walk, you observe, you exchange.
You leave the everyday behind to savour the simple, authentic rhythm of an Aveyron village, alive with memory and beauty.