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Parc naturel régional
du Haut-Languedoc
The Haut-Languedoc, is the southern edge of the Massif Central and faces toward the Mediterranean coast. It enjoys both Atlantic and Mediterranean climatic influences.
While it is seemingly isolated from the large coastal plain, it is easy to reach through its numerous valleys .
Deep wounds were left by the Albigensian Crusade, and turned much of the population, who had taken refuge here, to Protestantism. At the time of the French Revolution, many priests resisted the advent of the new French Republic from the deep forests, as did the French freedom fighters during the second world war
The Parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc was created in 1973, and was the subject of a new law in 1999 which set the boundries and incorporated 92 villages and about 80000 inhabitants.
Its territory of 260 000 hectares, covers parts of both the Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions, and traverses the water course and climate of both the Atlantic and Mediteranean.
The Parc changes radically from the coastal plain, with the imposing mountains of the Caroux and the Espinouse rising to over 1,100 meters. Down in the valleys, cherry trees and the last traces of vines cling to the steep hills that man has tried to cultivate by building walled terraces.
Higher up, the terraced land is used to grow chestnut trees. On the plateaus, evergreen forests mingle with heath land.
Lauze (flat stones) and slate is used for roof covering in the hamlets, thist give an impression of greyness after the brightness of the brightly painted mediteranean style houses.
Gorges d'Heric
The sideof the Espinouse mountain is cut deeply by the Héric Gorge.
The Gorge can be accessed from the small village of Mon la Travalle, and the beauty of the Gorge accounts for its popularity with day visitors.
At the entrance to the Gorge is a large car park and a small buffet where it is possible to get meals and drinks during the summer season.
No vehicles are allowed to enter the gorge which rises alongside a fast flowing stream to the village of Heric a distance of about 6kms.This is a land for backpackers and rock climbers and a playground for families wishing to take their picnics in unspoilt countryside, and swim in the numerous rock pools.
ST PONS
Between Salvatat and the coastal plain, is the lively town of St Pons. This was once the center of the cloth industry in the area, and also well known for its marble quarries, but is perhaps better known now, for its Chestnut fair held during the last weekend of October and the Fete du Cochon (pig fair) held during the last weekend of February.. St Pons is the gateway separating the cooler Atlantic weather from the warmer Mediterranean climate. The Cathedral dating from the 12 century but built on the site of an older Abby, has an organ worthy of a visit.
St Pons is the administrative center for the "Parc Regional du Haut Languedoc"
Visitors to this area will be struck by the total difference in the scenery, with large forested areas in comparison to the vines on the plain.
SALVATAT
This is a village resembling more that of a village in England or Germany than of the south of France. To reach Salvatat the road rises steeply from the Mediterranean plain and passes through pine forests and grazing land for cattle. The climate becomes cooler.
Salvatat was built high above two rivers, the Vebre and the Agout. Crossing the Agout is an 800 year old bridge that formed part of the pilgrim routes to Compostella in Spain.
Close by to Salvatat are two large lakes, Lac de la Raviege and Lac de Lauzas.
These lakes are popular in the summer as a place to escape
the heat of the plain. They both have large leisure areas and beaches, where it is possible to bathe safely and participate in sailing and water skiing. The scenery here is beautiful.
Large areas of the 'Lac de la Raviege' are inaccessible
except by water.
During the summer months, the firefighting planes, known as
Canadairs, often swoop across the lake to obtain water. On the approach of the planes, a siren sounds and people involved in the various water sports have to move to the sides of the lake to allow the planes to fly low over its surface to scoop up the water, before flying off.
Since about 1995 Salvatat has become nationally known for it’s bottled, natural sparkling drinking water.
LACAUNE
Close by Lac de Lauzas is the town of Lacaune, famous for its cooked and smoked meat production. There are about 40 meat producers in the town. This came about as a result of the air quality that is influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Mediteranean climates and is low in ozone. An interesting place to visit is the Maison de Charcuterie. An english explanation is provided by means of a personal Walkman. A short distance from Lacaune is the town of Brassac. The town itself is not very interesting but the bridge over the River Agout is very picturesque.
Ferrieres par Brassac
Continuing along the road out of Brassac towards Albi turn in the direction of Ferrieres par Brassac and visit the Moulin de Record. This is a 17th century flour mill. One of two at this part of the river. The owners Patrick et Evelyne Nunez will take you on a guided tour of their restored mill. It is located in the heart of the Sidobre. From here if you climb the hill opposite the mill, you will pass by the old castle that owned the opposite mill and was heavily involved with the Cathars. From the village a signed route takes you along a tourist route into the Sidobre
The Sidobre
The Sidobre is a granite plateau situated on the northern edge of the Languedoc, and famous for the granite boulders that are found strewn in all directions. Boulders, some larder than a house, are balanced precariously on top of each other and are accompanied by names that describe their imagined representation i.e Trois Fromages (three cheeses) Roc de l'Oie (goose rocks).
The "Peyro Clabado" rock is probably the most impressive, weighing in at 780 tonnes and balanced on a tiny rock. Numerous quarries are found in the area where the treatment of granite and marble is found.
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