Activities around the campsite in Tarn and Aveyron

It is said that the village of Cordes-sur-Ciel is as breathtaking from within as it is from outside the ramparts! The beauty of its Gothic buildings rivals the panoramic views of the town from the surrounding hills. The profile of Cordes changes with ever

Crossing Cordes adds significant heritage value to this route, which is further enriched by other interesting historical elements:



In the 14th century, Cordes had fifteen fortified gates. You will pass through only the remaining five. Admire the exceptional facades of Gothic houses from the 13th and 14th centuries. You will walk by the Gaudane embroidery workshop, where nearly 300 mechanical embroidery machines clicked away in the early 19th century.



In the valley, and particularly in Les Cabannes, the water of the Cérou was used by tanners. The leather was then sold by wealthy merchants from Cordes. This activity continued from the 14th to the 19th century in the houses you will find between Place St Félix and Rue des Tanneries.



Just after point 3, you will follow an old railway line connecting Carmaux to Vindrac. It was used to transport coal from the Carmaux mines and a few passengers “without luggage.” It operated for only 2 years (1937 to 1939) after 60 years of planning!



The Nauze, in Occitan, means "the marsh": pond, lagoon, or marshy meadow, suggesting that this area was frequently flooded. A little further, your route will lead you to the beautiful "Pont des Anes" (Historic Monument), featuring two arches and dating back to the 14th century. It is associated with the Moulin de La Bogne and was built to facilitate mule or donkey traffic related to milling activities.



Near the church of St-Martin de Vindrac, there was a vast Gallo-Roman villa covered in the 4th century by a Merovingian necropolis consisting of a small building and 120 sarcophagi, reflecting some of the earliest local Christian practices. Ten years of excavation uncovered only part of the site. Some remains are preserved in the community hall next to the church.



At Les Fargues, before turning left, take a few steps to admire the tall sandstone "turning" cross (a recent copy). It depicts the crucifixion and figures related to Christian charity: Saint Martin on horseback and Mary Magdalene, the patroness of cord makers. According to tradition, it protected crops from storms by orienting the figures towards the storm. The 15th-century original (Historic Monument) is kept in the community hall of Vindrac.



The name of the village Les Cabannes ("cabanas" in Occitan) refers to the modest dwellings occupied by the quarrymen who extracted the stones needed for the construction of Cordes. The Corrompis Quarry, not far from your path, is still in operation.



At point 11, take a moment to stop at this peaceful and historically rich site: the Saint-Jean de Mordagne Chapel, which dates back to the 11th century. It is one of the few chapels with a rounded apse and an ogee arch (choir). During the plagues of the 16th and 17th centuries, wooden huts in this valley housed the plague-stricken from the Cordais area, who were then buried on site, and their dwellings were burned.

A peaceful walk along the hillside with a beautiful viewpoint opening up to the Cérou valley and the city of Cordes. The oaks lining the path provide light and pleasant shade.

Local toponymy provides some insights into the geography: on the communal land register, the names Téroundel (the hill's name) and Térondel (point 4 on the map) appear. These names, common in the region, come from the Latin "turo," meaning height. This should not be confused with "Thouron," which comes from Occitan and refers to a place near a fountain or spring, such as the Thouron washhouse at the foot of the castle, which houses the rare and protected plant, Capillaire de Montpellier, also known as "Venus hair." Another washhouse is located at the end of the arched bridge. By crossing the road, you will also find old watering troughs.



You will walk for a while on the Sentier des Plaideurs. Before the unification of the villages of Mouzieys and Panens (1810), the people of Panens would discreetly travel to Cordes along this path. Hidden from the villagers of Mouzieys by the embankment and crops, they would go to report minor disputes to the judge of Cordes.

From the Plateaux du Combal and des Graves, the path opens up to the beautiful views of the Cérou and Aveyron valleys.



The rather dry highlands contrast, especially in summer, with the freshness in the valleys provided by the two rivers.



Heritage also m

Ideal for those who wish to experience a preserved environment while staying close to a village.

Before or after the hike, visit the charming village of Milhars, which features interesting rural heritage (pigeon houses, oven, washhouse) and a system of streets organized in a "spiral" ascending towards the castle.

Taking advantage of the humidity from the Cérou River, the willow grove near the community hall offers a unique stop. Every February, it hosts the Fête de l'Osier, where the art of basket weaving is celebrated.

The welcoming small communal restaurant-grocery store, which opened in 2022 along the departmental road, allows visitors to enjoy a meal or prepare a picnic (check opening days and hours).

An itinerary combining geology, nature and heritage

This pleasant loop takes you to the heart of the Cordais hills to discover a rare landscape: the red dunes of Maraval. Formed by a tropical climate dating back more than 250 million years, they create a unique setting of ravines, hillocks and clay soils where vegetation remains sparse. Classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, this fragile site invites you to explore while respecting the fauna, flora and local customs.

Further on, the path crosses meadows and woods before reaching the village of Tonnac. The heir to a Visigothic settlement, it has preserved its church and quiet streets, witnesses to a long rural history.

With its astonishing geology, sensitive nature and heritage, this easy hike combines a change of scenery with discovery.