St-Izaire - Bois Noir
3 points of interest
Village de Saint-Izaire - Virginie Govignon 
History and heritageVillage of Saint-Izaire
Saint-Izaire is a fortified village whose history is closely linked to its episcopal castle, the former summer residence of the bishops of Vabres. Mentioned as early as 862, the village gradually surrounded itself with ramparts during the 12th century to protect its inhabitants from feudal conflicts.
After the Wars of Religion, the fortifications lost their defensive role: openings were made in the walls, and some fortified gates were altered to allow carts to pass and houses to expand. Despite these changes, the layout of the streets, alleys, and houses has remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. The 15th- and 16th-century façades and windows still give the village its historic charm today.
Statue-menhir du Mas Capelier - Roquefort Tourisme 
Carved standing stonesMas Capelier Statue-Menhir
This female statue-menhir stands out for the fine detail of its engravings: breasts, legs, hairstyle, and tattoo-like patterns adorn this prehistoric figure. A true testament to ancient art, it illustrates how femininity was represented in Neolithic cultures.
This moving monument is one of the earliest expressions of artistic and symbolic creation by human societies in the Causses region.
Chapelle Notre Dame de Grâce - Roquefort Tourisme History and heritageChapel of Our Lady of Grace
Overlooking the southern bank of the Dourdou River, the Chapel of Our Lady of Grace is an emblematic site of Saint-Izaire. Mentioned as early as 1461 under the name “Notre-Dame de l’Ouradou,” it was restored in 1730 before being sold as national property during the French Revolution and later converted into a sheepfold. Restored again in the 19th century, it now incorporates architectural elements from the former castle and old village church.
For many years, the chapel housed a relic believed to have protective and healing powers, especially against skin diseases and respiratory illnesses, and for the protection of pregnant women and newborns. These beliefs left a strong mark on local memory, making the chapel a symbol of protection for the village.
This tradition continues today through annual pilgrimages, particularly on August 15th.
Description
- From the car park, walk up towards the bridge to cross the Dourdou river and turn left. Follow the D 25 for 875 m, then take a right turn and follow a small road towards Donacoste, and straight after take right a grassy path which runs alongside the road. Pass under a bridge, then cross a footbridge over a stream and further on you will find the entrance to a 500 m long unlit tunnel (old railway tunnel).
- Enter this tunnel, it is easier if you keep to the left hand side on the passageway. At the end of the tunnel you re-join the grassy path first running the D25, then deviating towards the hamlet les Roques. At the intersection between the D25 and the path, carry on straight leaving the hamlet to your left. Walk alongside the pond, leave on your right the entrance of another tunnel, walk over this tunnel to reach the hamlet of les Canacs.
- Enter the hamlet and just before you leave, walk to your left in a wide curve and follow a path rising progressively up, leaving 3 trails to the right one after the other. Walk into the woodland, and at the next fork, close by a barn, take the left most path and keep ascending towards NE. As you get near the crest, pay attention to the trail signs and leave the numerous trails going left and right to carry straight on. At the top, enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Walk down the slope and cross over to the other side of the hill.
- When you reach a fork on the path, take the left track and start walking down through the woodland. You are now walking on the “bishop’s trail”, which makes a wide curve north. After approximately 20mn, follow the path around two hair pin bends and join a little tarmacked road.
- Stop and take time to look at the carved standing stone beside the road. Follow that road to the left walking downhill until you reach a fork. At the fork, turn right the road which leads to Riols (equestrian farm) for approximately 150 m, then take almost opposite, a path that rises to the left. Follow a ridge line between the fields and enjoy the beautiful landscape which stretches on either side. The path runs down towards Belle-vue from where the entire village of Saint-Izaire can be seen.6- Follow the small road which leads to Notre-Dame de Grâce chapel. Close to the chapel, you will see a wide path to the right side which runs down towards Saint-Izaire. Walk around the chapel and follow the path which joins the D 25. Turn left, then right to pass under the bridge and get back to the car park.
- Departure : Saint-Izaire
- Arrival : Saint-Izaire
- Towns crossed : Saint-Izaire and Calmels-et-le-Viala
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Take a light with you.
Box tree moths 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
Saint-Affrique Tourist Office
Boulevard Aristide Briand, 12400 Saint-Affrique
OPENING TIMES:
The Tourism Office is open all year round, the opening hours are:
·July and august:
From Monday to Saturday: 9h – 13h & 15h – 19h
Sunday: 9h – 13h
·From September to June:
From Tuesday to Saturday: 9h – 13h & 14h – 17h
Closed: Sundays, Mondays and bank holidays
From November to April, the office is also closed on Saturday afternoon.
Transport
Travel by bus or train: https://lio.laregion.fr/
Carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin
Access and parking
From St-Affrique head towards Albi, then at the roundabout before Vabres l’Abbaye turn right the D25 up to St-Izaire
Parking :
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