Starting from the ramparts of La Cavalerie, the discovery of an unsuspected Larzac: the plain of the Temple, fertile land cleared by the Knigths Templar in the Middle Age for cereal cultivation.From the town hall, enter into the fortifications by the "Tour des Commandeurs" (east gate), and take "Rue de la ville", then exit by the "Place des Templiers" (west gate), turn right to access the D999 then left to join the crossroads with the D809. Cross it and take in front the direction of Saint-Rome de Cernon, St-Affrique (D999), continue on 250 m then turn on the left after the second intersection.At 200 m, continue right on the road that passes on the motorway. At the first crossroads, continue straight.After the “mare du Lavagnol” (cobbled watering place), turn left.At the next crossroads, turn left on a wide track (leave the GR®), let on the right a stony path to Sainte-Eulalie de Cernon. Continue on the track for 900 m.Turn left on a grassy path which climbs gently towards a grove. At the first junction, make a hairpin turn on the left on a large stony path.At the next fork, turn right, then continue straight on. Perform a short slope to arrive on the road to Sainte-Eulalie. Follow it to the left. Pass under the motorway and find the D999.Turn right towards the parking.
6.6 km
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max. 844 m
min. 789 m
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Sur les Causses, les lavognes sont des cuvettes naturelles argileuses, le plus souvent de forme circulaire servant d'abreuvoir pour les troupeaux et alimentées exclusivement par les eaux de pluie. Dans la deuxième moitié du XIXe siècle, le nombre d'ovins étant plus important on va construire des lavognes plus grandes et dallées. Elles constituent les seuls points d'eau permanents avec les lavognes naturelles temporaires pour les animaux et à ce titre, elles sont précieuses et plûtot bien entretenues.Source : Lexique du Patrimoine Causses et Cévennes - Les Causses et Cévennes, patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO.
Les vastes étendues désertiques du plateau du Larzac évoquent généralement des paysages de désolation... A l'ouest de La Cavalerie, les terres fertiles contrastent avec les zones plus arides qui se trouvent à l'est. La mise en culture de "la Plaine du Temple" est l’œuvre des Templiers puisqu’ils ont défriché ces terres dès le 12ème siècle afin d’y produire des céréales. On y cultive encore aujourd'hui, des céréales et des plantes fourragères et en l'absence de désherbage chimique on peut y voir une profusion de plantes messicoles des "moissons": coquelicots, bleuets... qui offrent, à l'œil du randonneur, de beaux paysages colorés...
The fortifications of La Cavalerie, a centuries-old work against the test of time… Situated at the north of the Larzac plateau, La Cavalerie was created in the 12th century by the Templars of Sainte-Eulalie commandery, settled on the Larzac Causse since 1152.The Sainte-Marie church (1180) was included in the Knights Templars dwelling and included several buildings around a small courtyard. The village developed around this building, where the inhabitants found refuge in case of danger.However, this protection as well as that of the Commandery of Sainte-Eulalie was considered insufficient during the Hundred Years War, where the Larzac, a wide open plateau, badly defended but provided with cattle, attracted the people of war. The commander of Sainte-Eulalie, Bertrand d’Arpajon, fortified the important places of his commandery: Le Viala du Pas de Jaux in 1430, then La Cavalerie, La Couvertoirade in 1439 and finally Sainte-Eulalie in 1442.Source : Point accueil La Cavalerie.
On the Causses, the « lavognes » (cobbled watering place), are natural clay troughs, often circular, serving as a watering place for herds and fed exclusively by rainwater.In the second haft of the 19th century, the number of sheep was more important, and people decided to build bigger cobbled watering places. They are the only permanent water points with the natural watering place for animals and as such, they are precious and well maintained.
The vast desert expanses of the Larzac plateau usually evoke landscapes of desolation… The western fertile lands of La Cavalerie contrast with the arid areas located at the east. The cultivation of "the Plain of the Temple" is the work of the Templars since they cleared the land in the 12th century in order to produce grain.Cereals and forage plants are still cultivated today, and thank to the absence of chemical weeding, we can see a profusion of "harvest" plants: poppies, blueberries ... which offer, to the eye of the hiker, beautiful colorful landscapes...
La Cavalerie
La Cavalerie
Here, the agropastoral tradition coexists with the print of the Templars and Hospitallers to shape an unusual landscape. Along trails on the Larzac Causse, the alfalfa and cereal fields follow sheep pastures. Emblem of the walk: the Lavagnol pond, watering place for herds.
Fron Milau by the D809. From the A75 motorway (Béziers - Montpellier ou Clermont-Ferrand), exit 47.
At the foot of the Northern rampart
To travel by bus or train: lio.laregion.fr/ Think carpooling Aires de covoiturage and hitchhiking Rezopouce