VTT N°55 - The lime kilns
Les fours à calamines dans le ravin des Valettes
Les fours à calamines dans le ravin des Valettes - Virginie Govignon - OT Larzac et Vallées
Saint-Jean-du-Bruel

VTT N°55 - The lime kilns

History and heritage
Panorama
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Following tracks and old mule paths, a breathtaking loop takes you from the Dourbie valley to the plateau of the Causse Bégon, suspended between the Grands Causses and the Cévennes region.

Through a landscape of chestnut and beech trees, ascend to the Causse Bégon plateau, on the western edge of the Cévennes mountains, enjoying exceptional panoramic views of the Dourbie canyon . This challenging route, with its significant elevation gain, is punctuated by heritage sites that invite you to stop and explore: lime and calamine kilns, the Baumelle sheepfold, and the  dolmen called 'le Tombeau du Géant" (Giant's Tomb)

1 point of interest

  • Four à Calamine
    Four à Calamine - Delphine ATCHE
    Small heritage

    The kilns of Valettes

    The kilns of Valettes were inaugurated in 1905, the concession having been obtained the same year by the Metal Mining Company of Aveyron. Its perimeter extends between Saint-Jean du Bruel and Causse-Bégon and the works concern "La Gardiole", the Valettes (above the kilns), "Les Baldy" and "L'Yfer" above the brook called Saint-Gleys between Barjac and the confluence of Valettes. The main ore is constituted by calamine containing 35 to 40% zinc. The five furnaces are intended for enrichment by the so-called reduction method.

    As the research progresses, the results soon turn out to be disappointing, because if from 1901 to 1904, 800 tons of calamine are extracted, 390 tons in 1905, 435 tons in 1906, it is treated only 160 tons in 1909. Work must stop in 1914 and will never be resumed.

    After their abandonment, the five kilns will serve as a quarry. The three openings of the kilns are each coated with two rows of refractory bricks. These bricks will be used by a local artisan to make small metal ovens for baking bread, to keep cozy warmth under the feet and beds of the inhabitants of St-Jean, and finally to build the heating fireplace of the church. .

    Source: written by Claude Bouteiller, revue Causses et Cévennes du Club Cévenol n°4-Août Septembre Octobre 2004

Description

  1. From the parking area, take Rue du Moulin to the old bridge (Pont vieux), then turn right onto Rue de Cabrune. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on this road until you reach the last houses.
  2. Take the dirt track for 1 km (the climb is quite steep) until you reach the road that leads up to the Col de la Pierre Plantée (D341).
  3. Follow it to the left, then turn right onto a very nice singletrack (the climb is just as steep as the previous one). At the next intersection with the D341, continue to your right for approximately 250 m.
  4. Take the path at the hairpin bend and pass by an old lime kiln. Don't hesitate to stop and take a look. Continue the climb for another 2km to reach the intersection of the road heading towards Causse Bégon and a dirt track that branches off to the left.
  5. Follow the track for 3km. Two points of interest are located near the path: the Giant's Tomb (dolmen) and a rock shelter.
  6. Just before the rock shelter, turn left and descend onto a singletrack trail leading to Seingleys. Before the end of the descent, on the left, admire the four magnificent Valettes kilns (former calamine kilns).
  7. In Seingleys, follow the road to the left towards St-Jean du Bruel, then at the entrance to the village, turn right onto Rue du Pont Vieux to reach the parking area.
  • Departure : St-Jean du Bruel
  • Arrival : St-Jean du Bruel
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Jean-du-Bruel

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Very difficult route for e-MTBs (carrying required)

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  and hitchhiking Rezopouce.

Access and parking

40km southeast of Millau via the D809 and D999 (Larzac Plateau) or via the D991 and D999 (Gorges of the Dourbie).

Parking :

Place de la Borie, St-Jean du Bruel

Accessibility

Emergency number :
114

Source

C.C. Larzac et Vallées - Site Grands Causses VTT-FFC N°321
Site VTT cofinancé par l’Union Européenne.

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