Saint Affrique horse riding circuit

This Pont Vieux dates back to the 13th century. According to the archives of the Vabres bishopric, the Lapeyre, Saint-Affrique and Vabres Ponts Vieux would have been commissioned concurrently to the same contractor. The Lapeyre Pont Vieux displays a very elegant line with its single semicircular arch which enables an outstandingly effective drainage of the river flow even in case of the river flooding. The bridge deck provides well preserved medieval features: pebble paving and a row of bollards used to protect parapets from the bumping of carts.

This large metal cross is situated at the junction of paths, which allows a beautiful view over the two sides of the Loubière plateau, the Sorgues side and the Rougiers side.

The Aveyron provides contrasting and diverse landscapes that will put a spell on you. During your time hiking on the Causses across these large limestone plateaux which cover an area approximately one-third the size of the entire department, you will enjoy a great variety of flora.Hike through the dry grasslands which are so typical of these landscapes and provide a rich habitat for numerous orchid species with diverse forms, colors and fragrances: Dark-red Helleborine, Lesser Butterfly-orchid, Man Orchid, Lady Orchid, Fly Orchid and many more…

This path which runs on the southern hillside of one of the Loubière vales will provide you with a wonderful scenic viewpoint over the Sorgues valley and the Frontal Causses.

Saint-Caprais church stands opposite the entrance to the graveyard. In 1058 it was given to the Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseille. During the middle ages, the church was the centre of a very old parish which included the Lapeyre, Montalègre and Versols castles. In a short period of time a monastery was set up here by the Marseille Benedictine monks, but the 18th century Cassini map only mentions a ruined priory. The rubble of the Romanesque church was cleared away in 1880 revealing its former outline in the ground. The carved tympanum contains several informative details. The upper arch moulding which is ornamented with acanthus leaves intertwined with a 3 braided strand, displays a pattern called “fond de corbeille” (basket weave) on its top. The rose-colored sandstone used in Lapeyre is identical to the type used in Conques. The embossed pattern and the acanthus leaves can also be seen in Conques on one of the capitals, which dates the tympanum during the 3rd quarter of the 11th century. From the graveyard, two arches, the remains of the ancient Saint Sauveur church, can be seen in the village. This church was built on the fortified rock from which the village of Lapeyre was given its name.