A path that runs throughout the pays du Roquefort

5 steps

1. 

   Trekking

   Saint-Affrique

   From St Affrique to Tournemire (maison de la vigne) (vine house)

   Agropastoralism

   Geology

   • Medium
   • 5h
   • 21,7km
   • +1010m

2. 

   Trekking

   Tournemire

   From the maison de la vigne in Tournemire to St Jean d’Alcas

   Geology

   • Medium
   • 5h
   • 20,7km
   • +497m

3. 

   Trekking

   Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul

   Agropastoralism

   History and heritage

   • Medium
   • 5h
   • 17,6km
   • +548m

4. 

   Trekking

   Sylvanès

   To get to Saint-Jean d'Alcas via A75 (coming from Montpellier or Clermont-Ferrand), take exit 48 towards Cornus and when reachin

   History and heritage

   • Medium
   • 4h
   • 14,2km
   • +431m

5. 

   Trekking

   Gissac

   From Montaigut to St Affrique

   History and heritage

   • Medium
   • 3h30
   • 12,6km
   • +178m

22 points of interest

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  History and heritage

  Town of Saint-Affrique

  The name Saint-Affrique, with its two “F’s,” often raises curiosity. Its origin dates back to the 5th century, when Arian Visigoths were persecuting Catholic Christians. Africanus, a bishop exiled from Comminges, is said to have taken refuge near the Sorgues River, where he preached to the local population and performed various miracles – a story depicted in the stained-glass windows of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy. The name Saint-Affrique, attested as early as 942 in the archives of Vabres l’Abbaye, may come from the Visigothic term “Affric” or “Effric,” meaning “powerful and fearsome.”

  Anecdote : during the French Revolution, the town was briefly renamed “Montagne sur Sorgues” to remove any religious reference, as was common practice at the time.

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  History and heritage

  The Old Bridge of Saint-Affrique

  Listed as a historic monument, the Old Bridge is one of the most beautiful medieval bridges in France, documented as early as 1408. With its bold yet elegant design, it spans the river with a central arch measuring 21.4 meters, flanked by two smaller arches. Built with a humpback profile and supported by slender triangular piers, it perfectly illustrates the skill of medieval builders. A true landmark of Saint-Affrique, this architectural gem offers a journey back in time through the city’s history.

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  History and heritage

  The Rock of Caylus

  Perched at an altitude of 519 meters, the Rock of Caylus once supported the castle of the Counts of Caylus, built in the 11th century. Destroyed in 1238, the castle was the heart of a fortified complex that protected the local population. In 1808, the last remaining sections of the fortifications were dismantled to make way for the road to Tiergues. This site reveals a lesser-known chapter of Aveyron’s feudal history and power struggles.

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  History and heritage

  Laumière castle

  The castle is situated 3 km south east of Saint Rome and was rebuilt after the French revolution. Written references to the ancient castle mention the year 1322 when it was occupied by Raymond de Vanco de Banc d'Anglars, and again in the 15th century when it was owned by the Armagnac family. It was then passed on to the Morlhon family, the Vernhet de Grandval family and the Sambucy de Sorgue family. The Laumière seigneury was granted to the Vernhet’s during the 18th century who became Vernhet de Laumière. A general named Vernhet de Laumière distinguished himself on taking command of the Imperial Guard artillery during the Second Empire. He died in Mexico during the 1863 siege of Puebla. During the 19th century, Maria de Sambucy gave the castle as a wedding dowery to the Count of Toulza

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  Geology

  The Combalou scree

  The Combalou scree is an impressive rock formation, created by the many tectonic movements that shaped the limestone plateau. These piles of stones are the result of successive collapses and landslides that have shaped the landscape over the centuries. The rocks in this area reflect the region’s geological activity, where erosion has sculpted unique landscapes.

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  Geology

  The Combalou Plateau

  The Combalou Plateau is a spectacular geological site located in the heart of the Roquefort region. Formed around 150 million years ago, when a shallow sea covered the area, this vast limestone landscape was shaped over time by layers of sediment.

  Today, the Combalou is best known for its natural caves, which are essential to the production of Roquefort cheese. Crossed by natural fissures called “fleurines,” the plateau benefits from constant natural ventilation that maintains stable temperature and humidity levels. These unique conditions create the perfect environment for the aging of the famous Roquefort cheese.

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  Agropastoralism

  Jasse du Combalou

  Jasses were buildings designed to shelter sheep during the summer season. Fairly well preserved, the Jasse du Combalou is organized over two levels. On the ground floor, two sheep pens, one of which is vaulted, housed the animals. Upstairs, a large barn was used to store hay for feeding the flocks during the winter months. Perfectly adapted to life in the highlands and the needs of pastoralism, this type of building provides an important testimony to rural life on the Causses.
   
   

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  Flora

  The Montpellier Aphyllanthes

  The Montpellier Aphyllanthes, also known as the “blue carnation of Montpellier,” is an emblematic plant of the Mediterranean garrigue. Perfectly adapted to dry soils, it blooms from April to June, brightening the landscape with its delicate light-blue flowers, which are highly appreciated by bees. Without leaves to limit water loss, it stands out with its long green stems, well suited to arid climates. In the past, its roots were used to make brushes, highlighting its place in local heritage.
   

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  Fauna

  Birds

  The cliffs of the Tournemire amphitheatre are an important playground and nesting area for numerous birds. These cliffs are home to great variety of bird life, from the most expressive to the most secretive such as: the Rock Swallow; the Alpine Swift; the Red-billed Chough; the Wall creeper; Bats (Greater Horseshoe) and birds of prey nesting on cliffs among which is the Eurasian Eagle-Owl.

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  Geology

  Tournemire amphitheatre

  The great Tournemire amphitheatre is one of the most outstanding escarpments of the western edge of the Larzac and as such is classified "Zone Natura 2000". The lower slopes are the only part where Toarcian marls are visible in the SW erosion gullies, everywhere else these marls are hidden under rocky slopes and big rock slides. At the top of the slopes, the dolomitic limestone ruin-shaped cliffs frame the outline of this amphitheatre.

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  Agropastoralism

  Lavogne

  Ever since the Neolithic period, humans have kept on improving the numerous natural ponds that they came across all around the Causse. They took advantage of these small land depressions called sotch or doline that provided essential water supplies to ensure the sheep watering, but were also used as laundry places or fish ponds, although their clayey bottom have always posed problems with leakage.

  In the Occitan language, the word lavanha refers to all kinds of ponds whether natural or hand built, whereas at the PNRGC, we have chosen to keep the word lavogne, or lavagne to designate ponds with paved bottoms, for they have witnessed the development of pastoralism over the 19th century. (source PNR Grands Causses).

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  Geology

  The Tournemire cirque

  Situated in the southwest of the Larzac Causse, the Tournemire Cirque is a remarkable geological area marking the bondary beetwen the fore-causses and the great causses. It presents limestone ledges and rocky escarpments with caves and cavities where raptors such as the eagle owl and the golden eagle nest.

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  History and heritage

  Tower of Viala du Pas de Jaux

  The Lord of Tournemire gave to the Templars knights the lands of Viala du Pas de Jaux in 1150. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Viala consisted of a few farms.
  After 1312, when the Hospitallers took possession of the Templars’ property, they decided to create in this place a village and for that they built farm buildings, managed by the brothers of the order. They constructed for them a dwelling and a church dedicated to St-Jean-Baptiste, the patron of the Hospitallers.
  Until 1430, the inhabitants of Viala du Pas de Jaux and the surroundings took refuge in Ste-Eulalie de Cernon during the periods of insecurity which occurred on the Larzac. Because of the high distance between the two village, the inhabitants asked the authorization to the Grand Prior of Saint Gilles, to build a fortified tower to be able to take refuge inside with their possessions. This is the first fortification built on the plateau.
  Today the 30 meters high tower has been restored. The vaulted ground floor, the five floors, its terrace and the dwelling dating from the 14th century are now accessible.

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  Agropastoralism

  The lavogne (cobbled watering place)of Font Rome

  This lavogne (cobbled watering place) of Font Rome, built in 1910 near tank wells is was first situated on a waterproof clay background. Then, it was built of stones all around and cemented. So this type offers the advantage of forming a passage that resists the trampling of sheep, and the gentle slope of the surrounding area limits the risk of slipping and falling of the animals. It is supplied by rainwater.

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  Panorama

  Cirque of St-Paul-des-Fonts

  The cirque of St-Paul-des-Fonts is a semi-circular natural cirque formed by karst erosion.

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  Flora

  Botanical Museum Hippolyte Coste

  Established on the ground floor of the presbytery adjoining the church of Saint-Paul-des-Fonts, the botanical space is dedicated to the life and work of the canon Hippolyte Coste who shared his life between the duties of his ministry and his passion for botany.
  This rouergate of modest peasant origins, which has been nicknamed "le curé des fleurs" (the priest of the flowers), knew how to rise in the yard of the greatest botanists by realizing in particular the remarkable and masterful «Flore descriptive et illustrée de la France, de la Corse et des contrées limitrophes» (1901 – 1906) which constitutes its masterpiece, known and still recognized today at the European scale.
  With this museum Saint-Paul-des-Fonts becomes an unmissable destination for all those who wish to learn by discovering the botanical wealth of the Larzac and Aveyron.
  Open from april to septembre. Free entrance.

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  Dolmen

  Mascourbe dolmen 1

  The Mascourbe dolmens belong to the so-called “Treilles” group, named after the cave near the Treilles farm in Saint-Paul-des-Fonts. These prehistoric communities of the Grands Causses were known for their expertise in copper working and for practicing skull trepanation.

  This dolmen, partially damaged, still retains an impressive trapezoidal end slab, a testament to these millennia-old constructions.

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  Dolmen

  Mascourbe dolmen 2

  Among the three Mascourbe dolmens, this second monument has a simpler structure, consisting of a stone cap resting on upright pillars, without an end slab. It belongs to the Neolithic heritage of the “Treilles” group and bears witness to the very early human occupation of the Grands Causses.

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  History and heritage

  Mascourbe Farm

  The Mascourbe farm, recorded as early as 1373, belonged to the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Rebuilt around 1583, it is now a fine example of rural architecture with medieval origins. Its buildings are arranged around a large rectangular courtyard, typical of agricultural estates of the period.

  This site bears witness to everyday life and territorial organization under the influence of the knightly orders.

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  History and heritage

  Old Bridge of Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues

  The Old Bridge, a true masterpiece of medieval architecture, is one of the symbols of Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues. Stretching about 70 meters, this humpback bridge features three semicircular arches, including a main arch supported by sturdy piers with triangular cutwaters upstream and widened downstream buttresses that create small pedestrian refuges.

  Its carefully crafted masonry and precisely assembled vaults likely date from the late 13th or early 14th century. Listed in the national heritage inventory but not formally protected as a historic monument, the bridge now requires maintenance work to preserve both its beauty and structural integrity.

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  History and heritage

  Saint-Caprasy Estate

  Recorded as early as 1026, Saint-Caprazy is an important historic site in Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues. Around 1150, Gaubert de Saint-Caprazy became the first commander of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John in Saint-Félix, who maintained their authority there for more than six centuries.

  This medieval hamlet still includes several buildings: a dwelling house, a barn, a sheepfold, a chapel, and other agricultural structures, all bearing witness to its rural and religious past.

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  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.