Lapeyre hiking circuit « Un chemin, une école »
Versols-et-Lapeyre

Lapeyre hiking circuit « Un chemin, une école »

History and heritage
Panorama
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This path which is suitable for all invites you to stroll along the two banks of the river Sorgues and explore the unexpected heritage offered by the village of Lapeyre, in the heart of a rural open valley.

Did you know that the graveyard of Lapeyre houses the tombstone of Medorah, daughter of British poet Lord Byron? That the old bridge has spanned the river Sorgues since the 13th century? This small village nestled in its green environment will no longer hold any no secrets for you!


3 points of interest

  • History and heritage

    Village of Lapeyre

    This village was controlled by the Templars Commandery during the 12th century and has kept much of its medieval architecture with its old houses clustered around the Tower. There is also the tombstone of Médora Leig, a daughter of the English poet Lord Byron which you can visit in the graveyard.

  • 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.
  • Architecture

    Pont vieux in Lapeyre

    This Pont Vieux dates back to the 13th century. According to the archives of the Vabres bishopric, the Lapeyre, Saint-Affrique and Vabres Ponts Vieux would have been commissioned concurrently to the same contractor. The Lapeyre Pont Vieux displays a very elegant line with its single semicircular arch which enables an outstandingly effective drainage of the river flow even in case of the river flooding. The bridge deck provides well preserved medieval features: pebble paving and a row of bollards used to protect parapets from the bumping of carts.


Description

  1. Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D 7 and head eastward on the road D92. Walk past the plant, leave to your left the water supply canal of the plant and carry straight on. Notice the old washing place to your left. Walk across the bridge over the Sorgues, leave the path that goes to the right and continue straight ahead. After the cross and before the brook, take to the right the ascending path towards the graveyard.
  2. Reach the graveyard where you will be able to look at the ancient Saint-Caprais church, the grave of Lord Byron’s daughter, Medorah Leigh. The scenic viewpoint over the bend of the valley and the village of Saint-Sauveur with its ancient church is worth admiring. Retrace your steps back to the road D 92 and the village. Before the bridge, turn left at the signboard indicating    « Lapeyre ».
  3. Walk along the left bank of the river. Notice the gardens situated bellow to the right and also the rock shelter in tufa limestone that nestles a Virgin Mary (« Lourdes »). Observe the specific wetland vegetation and in winter, the ice stalactites. Follow the alley lined with box trees which is called a buissière. Take the footbridge that spans over the Bourgatte ravine (temporary brook). Leave the path that leads to St-Affrique to the left.
  4. Walk across the Pont Vieux over the river Sorgues. Take the road to the right (right bank of the river) towards the village. Notice the oak trees on the right side of the road, and walk into the village.
  5. Take the street on your right. Immediately after, turn right in the rue du Roussel and make your way down towards the Saint-Sauveur square on the river edge. Watch the remains of the ancient Saint-Sauveur church which was directly built on a rock basement (la peyre in the Occitan language), hence the name of the village. Proceed your way on the square, along the river bank. Walk up towards the village by the street on the left and carry on your stroll. Walk through a small archway, and admire the perspective over the bell tower of the current church. Notice the ancient presbytery, then walk across the square and take the vaulted passage. Leave the Roussel street to the left.
  6. Head straight on towards the church. Once in front of the religious building, walk past to the right and look at the frontage opposite the church. This facade is the ancient castle with its mullioned windows. Walk past the church and take to the left to reach the car park.         
  • Departure : Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D7
  • Arrival : Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D7
  • Towns crossed : Versols-et-Lapeyre

Altimetric profile


Information desks

Avenue de Lauras, 12250 Roquefort/Soulzon

http://www.roquefort-tourisme.fr/contact@roquefort-tourisme.fr0565585600

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

Getting around by bus or by train: https://lio.laregion.fr/

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


Access and parking

From Saint-Affrique, follow the road towards Cornus. Lapeyre is the first village in the valley

Parking :

Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D7

More information


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