On the trail of the women of the land

Come and explore the village of the Viala du Dourdou nestled in a verdant setting, you’ll be amazed by the atmosphere of serenity and simplicity that radiates from the placeThese women of the land raised their families, often composed of many children, made bread in the ovens which are still visible today in the village, worked in the steep sloping fields, cared for poultry and took charge of the farms when their husbands were away at war. They handed down their ancestral skills and knowledge (preparing cold cuts, gardening and picking wild plants for their medicinal virtues), invigorated the life of the parish community and made sure that people lived together in harmony. Madame Carriere from the Mas Viala, Rosa from the Borie de Boyer, Marie from the Cagné, Denise, Marthe, La Vayssettoune and la Durante from the Viala, all of these women are well remembered and deserve this tribute.From the car park, walk up the D632 for about 100m and very next to the village hall, take a right turn up a road with hair pin bends. On reaching the reservoir, leave the road taking a right turn onto a grassy footpath. Cross a ravine and leave a path on your right. Walk up to join the road that leads to the Combe.At the intersection, take the path that goes towards the South and that leads to the Mas Viala. On reaching the Mas, carry straight on for about 100 m, then turn left and follow the trail that makes a wide curve to the right and climbs up towards the crest.At the junction of the trails, take right fork along the hill a shady path that meets another trail after 550 m and provides a very nice view over the Gos valley. Follow a hair pin bend to the left and walk down a gentle slope towards the D632.Cross the road and take the path on the opposite side that ascends southward up a slope. At the junction with a small road, take the left turn and follow this road for approximately 600m.Just before the Borie du Boyer, follow the left hand path that goes down towards the valley where you can enjoy the beautiful view. Walk close to the Cagné and after a hair pin curve, leave on your right a path that goes downhill towards the Maxillou stream, and keep going NW, first on the road and then on a trail through woodlands.Follow a wide curve which takes you back onto the road and after a hair pin bend keep straight on towards the village.