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Lapeyre hiking circuit « Un chemin, une école »

Traversée de la Sorgues depuis le pont neuf de Lapeyre
Eglise de Saint Caprais
Vue sur le village de Lapeyre
Pont Vieux de Lapeyre
Tuf calcaire et sa vierge
Credit : Roquefort Tourisme

Description

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.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.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 ».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.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.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.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.         

Technical informations

This circuit was updated on: 28/03/2024
1.8 km
max. 389 m
min. 348 m

Altimetric profile

Starting point

Lat : 43.900258Lng : 2.910829

Steps

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1

Village de Lapeyre

Lapeyre signifie en occitant "La Pierre", le village est construit sur le rocher.Le village dépendait au XIIe siècle de la Commanderie des Templiers, il a conservé son aspect médiéval avec ses vieilles maisons serrées autour de la Tour.L'église actuelle date de 1844, sur la place : vestige du couvent, fenêtres à meneaux, tour, et à l'intérieur de l'église une Vierge à l'enfant sculptée en 1860 à Rome par Steinhauser. Elle porte son enfant sur le bras droit et non le gauche comme cela doit-être, elle est tirée d'un seul bloc de marbre de carrare.Au cimetière, pierre tombale de Médora Leig, fille du poète anglais Lord Byron.Depuis le pont neuf, vue sur les vestige de l'usine textile. Elle aurait été crée en 1619-1683 pour traiter sur place la laine des moutons du Causse pour les manufactures royales de Lodève. Elle aurait disparu en 1877 pour réouvrir en 1887 pour la fabrication de drap, molletons, flanelles et couvertures. De 1923 à 1974, elle est propriété de Mr Tournier, l'usine fabrique alors des tissus de laine et de coton.

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Église de Saint-Caprais

Au cimetière, l'église de Saint-Caprais se dresse face à la porte d'entrée. Elle fut donnée en 1058 à l'Abbaye Saint-Victor de Marseille. Elle était le centre d'une très ancienne paroisse qui englobait les châteaux de Lapeyre, Montalègre et Versols. Les Bénédictins de Marseille installèrent en ce lieux un monastère qui fut de courte durée.Au XVIIIè siècle, la charte de Cassini n'indique qu'un prieuré ruiné.C'est en 1880 que furent déblayés les décombres de l'église romane dont le plan apparut dès lors sur le sol.Le tympan sculpté enferme plusieurs détails instructifs. La voussure supérieure ornée de feuilles d'acanthe enfermées dans une tresse à 3 brins, présente à son sommet un motif en fond de corbeille.La pierre de grés rose employée à Lapeyre est identique à celle de Conques. Le motif gaufré et les feuilles d'acanthe se retrouvent également à Conques  sur un des châpiteau ce qui permet la datation du tympan : 3ème quart du XIè siècle.Du cimetière on apperçoit dans le village de Lapeyre les vestiges d'une ancienne église. L'église Saint Sauveur était bâtie sur le rocher fortifié qui a donné son nom à Lapeyre. On apperçoit les 2 arcades.Source : Documents sur quelques églises du Rouergue, André SOUTOU

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Pont Vieux de Lapeyre

Ce Pont Vieux est du XIIIè siècle. Selon les archives de l'Évéché de Vabres, les ponts de Lapeyre, Saint-Affrique et Vabres auraient été commandés en même temps au même entrepreneur. Très élégant avec son arche unique en plein cintre. Il est remarquable qu'une seule arche permette l'écoulement de la rivière même en crue. Il a un tablier interressant qui donne une bonne idée de l'état d'origine : pavage en galet, rangée de bornes pour protéger le parapet  contre le choc des charrois.

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Points of interest

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Additional information

Departure

Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D7

Arrival

Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D7

Ambiance

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!

Access

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

Advised parking

Park your car on the parking lot alongside the road D7

Public transport

Getting around by bus or by train: lio.laregion.fr/carsharing: BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin

Advice

La Pyrale du buis est active de mai à octobre, les chenilles mangent les feuilles des buis et ainsi les dénudent. Elles descendent des arbres et se déplacent grâce à des fils (phénomène gênant en randonnée mais sans danger).

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