VTT N°18 - The Durzon Spring

Nant

VTT N°18 - The Durzon Spring

Geology

History and heritage

Water

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Through the small bucolic paths of the “Garden of Aveyron”, this mountain bike loop, accessible to everyone, takes you peacefully to the Durzon spring, punctuated by the murmuring of clear water.

From the « Place du Claux » in Nant, go for a refreshing breakaway in the Durzon valley. From irrigation canal to stream, water is the blue thread of this route that leads you to the resurgence of the Durzon, where the water flows in a green landscape of undergrowth. An exciting ride to share with your family!

2 points of interest

Architecture

The covered Market

The city of Nant obtained in 1369 the right to have fairs and markets, right granted by the Duke of Anjou. In the 15th century, the privileges of the city are confirmed: weekly markets are held there, 4 annual fairs are conceded, one of which lasted 3 days on November, 2, 3 and 4.
The covered market was rebuilt in 1706 an 1707, the first stone was laid on March, 13, 1706.
It is a squat, rectangular construction (30 m long and 8 m wide) with 12 pillars supporting the vault, interconnected by a semicircular arch.
On a pillar, a plaque commemorates the events of August 14 and 15, 1944 when two Nant’s civilians and seven maquisards from “Maquis des Corsaires” were shot.

Listed in the inventory of Historic Monuments since April 13, 1944.

Geology

The Durzon Spring

Located at the foot of the Larzac Causse, in the south-west of Nant, the Durzon Spring is a karstic resurgence whose supplying basin extends over 100km² between L'Hospitalet du Larzac, Le Caylar, Cazejourdes and Egalières. The Karstic system doesn't retains water on surface and constitutes big undergroung water reserves.
The flow of the source varies between 0,8m3/s and 35m3/s and has an average temperature of 11,13°C. The Durzon river runs for 6km and flows into the Dourbie river at the place "La Mouline".

Description

From the parking, pass the old market and go to the square « Place St-Jacques ». Take the path called “Chemin des Vernèdes hautes”, a beautiful little path between the gardens, which follows an irrigation canal on 600m before finding on a small road (D178) towards the spring “Source du Durzon”
Turn left and continue on the road for 5km before reaching the spring. Let’s take a break and admire this special and peaceful place.
Go back on the right bank of the Durzon: cross the small concrete bridge and turn left on a path along the stream with a luxuriant vegetation, moss covers trees and the light has difficulty to land on the ground.
At the end of the path, at the cross, take left and pass on the bridge, then turn right on the road to go back to Nant by the same way.

Departure : Nant

Arrival : Nant

Towns crossed : Nant

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Is in the midst of the park

This itinerary is located in the World Heritage zone Causses and Cévennes, mediterranean agropastoral cultural landscape.

Information desks

Tourist Office Larzac et Vallées

Place du Claux, 12230 NANT

http://www.visit-larzac.com/

infos@tourisme-larzac.com

+33(0)565622364

Located on the ground floor of the Town Hall (mansion of the 18th century), The Tourist Office welcomes you all year and offers tourist information on the Larzac and its valleys, the department of Aveyron, and also on neighboring counties. Free Wifi access.

Opening hours :

From Novembre to February: Tuesday morning 9:00-12:30
March and October : Tuesday to Friday 9:00-12:30
April : Tuesday to Friday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30
May, June : Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30
July and August : every day 10:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:00
September : Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30

Find out more

Transport

To travel by bus or train , by carpooling Aires de covoiturage and hitchhiking Rezopouce.

Access and parking

From Millau by the D991 (Dourbie Gorges) or by the D809 then D999 (Larzac Causse).

Parking :

Place du Claux in Nant

Accessibility

Emergency number :

114

Source

C.C. Larzac et Vallées - Site VTT-FFC N°269

Site VTT cofinancé par l’Union Européenne.

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Close by

Where to sleep ?

50 pitches. Rental of mobile homes with 10m² terraces.

What to see

From the 10th century, Benedictine monks drained this marshy site by creating a network of channels that still run through the village and have meant that Nant is called "the garden of the Aveyron". Until the suppression of the abbey by royal decree in 1777, life in the village was organised around monastic life whose irrigation work enables the agricultural boom. The richness of the local heritage merits more than just a brief stop: 11th and 12th century abbey-church of Saint Pierre, the 14th century church of Saint Jacques, the 17th and 18th century Penitents' chapel, the Mairie, the Halle and the Roc Nantais, the 14th century La Prade bridge.

Where to sleep ?

Situated in the Dourbie valley at the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses, the campsite is set out on terraces with large marked out pitches. Friendly family campsite, warm and personal welcome. Do you want to recharge your batteries? Calm and outdoor activities on the programme. Numerous places to discover close by.

What to see

Three periods of works mark the construction of the church in Nant: the first was the apse, the apsidoles and the transept, the second was the nave, the third was the western masonry work. The study of the architecture shows the history of the works from the east to the west. Starting with the oldest part, around 1070, (the chevet and the transept), and after an interruption of a short time, the nave walls were built in 1080-1090. Then the construction of the western masonry work and the vaults in the nave, after 1140-1150. (Anne-Marie Pécheur).

Where to sleep ?

Heated swimming pool with balneotherapy, restaurant, bar and more.

Where to sleep ?

This apartment is situated on the first floor and offers a living room/equipped kitchen (microwave), bedroom with double bed, shower room, WC, washbasin.

Where to sleep ?

Pigeonnier (pigeon loft) room: double room with private shower room. Family suite: 2 double bedrooms with communal shower room + big bedroom under the roof for the children.

Where to sleep ?

Ground floor studio in the owners' house with independent entrance. Double bed, shower room, WC, kitchenette.

Where to sleep ?

Personalised welcome. Calm. Swimming possible in the Dourbie.

Where to sleep ?

Campsite situated 300 m from the village centre on the GR 17D (grande randonnée - long distance footpath). Recommended by the Guide du Routard.

Where to sleep ?

Maisonette with living room/equipped kitchen, microwave, sofa-bed, TV, terrace. Bedroom with double bed, shower room, washing machine.

Where to sleep ?

In the heart of the garden of Aveyron, come to escape by hiking or mountain bike, and discover the cultural and gastronomic riches. Privileged place for fishing and nature sports enthusiasts. A quiet place, conducive to relaxation and a friendly atmosphere where young and old feel good. Looking forward to seeing you soon to discover our beautiful region!

Where to sleep ?

Set out on terraces, the RCN Val de Cantobre campsite is situated in a 17 acre domain in the heart of the "Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses", not far from the Gorges du Tarn and the Cévennes. It offers 210 pitches, 110 of which are for camping.

Where to eat ?

Where to sleep ?

Where to eat ?

Private shaded terrace. Dining room. Room for group (20 people maximum).

Where to sleep ?

Where to eat ?

Wath to do

Open every day in July and August.

Where to sleep ?

The 78 rooms are all equipped with TV, telephone, bathroom and separate WC. Double rooms with the possibility of communicating rooms according to your family's composition.