A walking tour around Clipis via the Frégière
Be prepared for coolness: there’s a good reason this site is called La Frégière! Remains of a disused gypsum quarry and plant are evidences of an obsolete industry: gypsum quarrying, which was flourishing around Montaigut at the end of the 19th century. Small springs and steep-sided paths punctuate this circuit that leads you to a plateau, with a view over the Sorgues valley.
1 point of interest
History and heritageSaint-Caprais church
Saint-Caprais church stands opposite the entrance to the graveyard. In 1058 it was given to the Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseille. During the middle ages, the church was the centre of a very old parish which included the Lapeyre, Montalègre and Versols castles. In a short period of time a monastery was set up here by the Marseille Benedictine monks, but the 18th century Cassini map only mentions a ruined priory. The rubble of the Romanesque church was cleared away in 1880 revealing its former outline in the ground. The carved tympanum contains several informative details. The upper arch moulding which is ornamented with acanthus leaves intertwined with a 3 braided strand, displays a pattern called “fond de corbeille” (basket weave) on its top. The rose-colored sandstone used in Lapeyre is identical to the type used in Conques. The embossed pattern and the acanthus leaves can also be seen in Conques on one of the capitals, which dates the tympanum during the 3rd quarter of the 11th century. From the graveyard, two arches, the remains of the ancient Saint Sauveur church, can be seen in the village. This church was built on the fortified rock from which the village of Lapeyre was given its name.
Description
- From Lapeyre to the Plo de Labade: From the carpark take right the D92 for a few metres, fork to the right onto a path called "la Mine" which runs along the Frégière brook, and walk past a building of which only remains the restored dwelling part. The ground level and the rear part of the building used to host the plaster plant. Carry on the path which runs along the fields up to the Clipis intersection.
- From the Plo de Labade to Clipis: Take right towards Clipis, pass the building and walk along a lake.
- From Clipis to Lapeyre: Take to the right the Bourgatte path that runs downhill towards the Lapeyre old bridge. Do not cross the bridge, but take the descending path on the right that goes across a footbridge, then passes by a cave and reaches the road to Gissac and the carpark.
- Departure : Lapeyre
- Arrival : Lapeyre
- Towns crossed : Versols-et-Lapeyre
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Box tree months are active from May to October. During the caterpillar phase, they feed on the leaves of box trees. They crawl down trees and move on long silken threads, although these threads are annoying when hiking they do not pose any health risk
Information desks
Avenue de Lauras, 12250 Roquefort/Soulzon
Situated in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, the cheese village of Roquefort stretches on the hillside over the famous scree of the Combalou Rock, in southern Larzac. The village is at an elevation of 630 m and has 700 inhabitants.
OPENING PERIODS:
The Tourist Office is open all year round:
- In July and August, Monday to Saturday: 9.30 to 18.30, Sunday: 10.00 to 17.00.
- April, May, June, September, October; Monday to Saturday: 9.30 to 12.15 & 13.00 to 17.30, closed on Sunday.
- January, February, November, December; Monday to Friday: 9.30 to 12.15 & 13.00 to 17.00, closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Transport
Travel by bus or train: https://lio.laregion.fr/
Carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin
Access and parking
Parking :
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: