Lac de Souliers

In the Middle Ages, a young man of the Arvieux valleymarried a woman of rare beauty from Ristolas. They had 5 daughters who found husbands, prosperity and happiness. A picture so perfect that other villagers believed it was witchcraft. 2 castes were formed, the "Renom" for the sorcerers and the "Belle", the wealthiest. This custom was kept in the valley for a long time. If the legend keeps a poetic side, other theories exist. One involves the arrival of new residents and the protectionism of natives. Another speaks of "witch hunts" that raged in the middle of the 14th century.

The Lac de Souliers offers an exceptional view. Here, the view towards the Arvieux valley. To the right, the Pic du Béal Traversier overlooks the valley. At the centre, the Croseras ridge plunges on the gorges of the Guil. And bat the back, the Pointe de la Saume and the peaks of Fonte Sancte, Pnestrel and Houerts overlook the Ceillac valley.

Gypsum is a soluble stone and of low cohesion. When confined in the presence of water, the rock dissolves, leaving holes in the ground containing it. The land thus weakened may collapse. The Lac de Souliers settled on the dissolution funnel of a gypsum pocket. Its almost perfect circular form, earned him the nickname of the "eye of Queyras".

This unique arid landscape has had a special formation. During the Mesozoic era (-250 to -65 million years ago), sediments settled at the bottom of the Thetys Ocean and formed layers of sedimentary rocks. 40 million years ago, 2 layers, one from the Triassic period (-250 million years ago) and the other from the Cretaceous period (-140 million years ago) collided and inversed. The limestones are crushed and become brittle. Subsequently, water rich in sulphate partly dissolve the limestone giving it this decayed appearance and produces a solution which forms a cement and consolidates these rocks. The friability of the rocks and the action of freeze-thaw climate continue to fuel the screes.