Tour quiet easy around Najac to discover very old fountains in wooded and quiet surroundings. Start possible from the holiday village VAL-VVF at the locality Puech Moutonniers.
Essential to the village life the fountains were supplied by drainage water from the Terre-Rouge/La Planquette plateau. They are called “griffouls”.
The first fountain was built in 1344 in the Bourguet area into a granite block. Some ancient consuls and bishops faces are sculpted on it. The fountain was used until the beginning of the 20th century.
4.8 km
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max. 384 m
min. 241 m
228 m
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Styles : HikingIn the country Public : FamilyOccasional hikers |
Start from the market square in Najac (Place du Faubourg). You can park your car on the post office car park. Go along the square, pass in front of the Tourist Office and continue as far as the grocer’s shop on the left. Walk around the grocer’s shop on the left, go down the stairs and walk along the houses and gardens through the beautiful path called “Roc de cabusse”. Go down to “La Loge” area and turn on the right to go to the small square with a star on the ground. Turn left on the street “Rue du Bourguet” and after 120 meters turn left again on the street “Rue de la Portette”, just behind the small restaurant. Continue to the next crossroads.
Turn left, cross the road D39 and go down on the botanical path as far as the Gabanel fountain. Cross the small bridge and go on the steep path under the box trees. Do not turn on the path you will find on your right and continue to go up between the fir trees. At the next crossroads turn right and continue to go up as far as the crossroads with 3 paths.
Turn left on the way to Najac. Leave this wide path to go on the small steep path going down on your left. At the cobbled path continue straight on. You can watch another fountain on your right. The path cross the stream "Vernhe" and goes up to the road.
Go up to the village for about 300 meters. At the hairpin bend turn right and continue on the main road on the way to the Gendarmerie. Just in front of the Gendarmerie leave the main road and turn left into the small street going to a footpath. At the next crossroads turn left to come back in the village by the GR36 (hiking trail). You will discover another old fountain on your way back. Once at the road turn left for 50 meters and turn in the small alley on your right to go up to the main square.
Back at the starting point. You can visit the village, its castle and its church. Various restaurants, bars and shops.
This public fountain deeply carved in a huge mass of granite is at the center of the village. A latin inscription relates the date of its construction and the name of the Conuls under whom it was erected.