The Loubière plateau via Clipis

Panorama

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Along wooded trails, reach the Loubière plateau which is a majestic natural border between the Sorgues valley and the Rougier de Camarès and which offers some stunning views over these two landscapes. On the northeast side, the village of Lapeyre and the town of Saint-Affrique linked by the blue line of the Sorgues river.

On the northeast side, the village of Lapeyre and the town of Saint-Affrique linked by the blue line of the Sorgues river. On the southwest side, the small valleys and red soils of the Camarès area, the proud-looking castle of Montaigut standing on its hilltop. The Loubière plateau with its vast stretches of fields and undergrowth gives you the assurance of enjoying wonderful panoramic views wherever you look!

4 points of interest

Small heritage

The del Pas cross

This large metal cross is situated at the junction of paths, which allows a beautiful view over the two sides of the Loubière plateau, the Sorgues side and the Rougiers side.

Panorama

A view over the Sorgues valley

This path which runs on the southern hillside of one of the Loubière vales will provide you with a wonderful scenic viewpoint over the Sorgues valley and the Frontal Causses.

Flora

Wild orchids

The Aveyron provides contrasting and diverse landscapes that will put a spell on you. During your time hiking on the Causses across these large limestone plateaux which cover an area approximately one-third the size of the entire department, you will enjoy a great variety of flora.

Hike through the dry grasslands which are so typical of these landscapes and provide a rich habitat for numerous orchid species with diverse forms, colors and fragrances: Dark-red Helleborine, Lesser Butterfly-orchid, Man Orchid, Lady Orchid, Fly Orchid and many more…

History and heritage

Saint-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 the carpark of Lapeyre to the Croix del Pas: from the carpark head towards the village and before the bridge take left the path that runs along the river up to the old bridge. Right after the bridge, take the Bourgatte path for approximately 1km. At the junction with the logging trail turn to the left, walk above the Clipis farm and take right an ascending track towards the Croix del Pas.
From the Croix del Pas to the Serre des Cabros: at the pass take the most left track, walk through a wooded area and then along a field. At the junction with the logging trail, take right for a few dozen metres a narrow footpath that leads to a scenic view over the Rougier and the castle of Montaigut. Walk back to the trail up to a signpost indicating Lapeyre.
From the Serre des Cabros to Lapeyre: take the path that runs downhill through boxtrees up to the Puech Mets road. Turn to the right and follow the road until the junction with the D92. Take opposite a path that goes downhill and passes nearby a building. Reach the old track connecting Lapeyre to Sylvanès that runs along the Fon Rouge brook. Once at the D92, take opposite a path that goes downhill across woodlands allowing you to get back to the road near Lapeyre.

Departure : Lapeyre

Arrival : Lapeyre

Towns crossed : Versols-et-Lapeyre, Gissac

Altimetric profile

Information desks

Avenue de Lauras, 12250 Roquefort/Soulzon

http://www.roquefort-tourisme.fr/

contact@roquefort-tourisme.fr

0565585600

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.

Find out more

Transport

Travel by bus or train: https://lio.laregion.fr/

Carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin

Access and parking

From Saint-Affrique, follow the D7 towards Cornus. Once in Lapeyre, which is the first village you drive through, turn right towards Gissac and park your vehicle next to the graveyard.

Parking :

Cimetary carpark

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Close by

Where to sleep ?

What to see

Versols castle

At the heart of the castrum (fortified square) of Versols, progressively reinforced from the 11th to the 14th century and of which interesting elements still exist (vestiges of the surrounding wall, towers, fortified square, the castellum (castle) present impressive remains, notably its interior courtyard, its vaulted rooms, the ancient "aula" (lords' room) modified during the Renaissance... The guided and commentated visit of this place inhabited by the original family enable the workings of the "castrum-castellum partnership" (essential security role) and its historical and architectural evolution to be evoked.

Where to sleep ?

This accommodation which nestles in the Sorgues valley opposite the village of Versols is only a 10 minute drive from St-Affrique, a 15 minute drive from Roquefort and a 45 minute drive from Millau or La Cavalerie. Our two bedrooms are perfect places to relax before you explore the countryside with many stimulating and interesting options.

The Bambou bedroom provides a cool and natural well-being atmosphere aimed at restoring the balance between body and mind. The Coquelicot bedroom generates an atmosphere of charm and authenticity reflecting the surrounding nature. Each bedroom is equipped with its own shower room and private toilet.

You may also like to make use of a very large living area with a kitchen, two spacious terraces and an extensive wooded garden comprising a children's area.