The Village of Dourgne

At the foot of the Montagne Noire, in the Haut Languedoc Natural Park, the charming little village of Dourgne is ideal for hiking and spiritual reflection, with its abbeys, perched or hidden chapels, streams, and waterfalls...
Located on a site that has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the village of Dourgne is sure to charm you with its town square, its 18th-century arcades, and, of course, the beauty of its landscapes and its narrow mountain trails leading through the woods toward the Désert de Saint Ferréol plateau, alongside crystal-clear streams.
Two Benedictine abbeys have been established here since 1890 in this setting so conducive to meditation: the Abbey of En Calcat is home to a community of monks, including the famous tapestry monk Dom Robert, while the Abbey of Sainte-Scholastique is home to nuns who will gladly welcome you to their shop selling handmade crafts. Saint Benoît d’En Calcat Abbey also has a bookstore.
Dourgne, located on the Voie d’Arles pilgrimage route leading to Santiago de Compostela, sees many pilgrims passing through, whom hikers seeking communion with nature often encounter.


Things to do:
- Hike up to La Capelette, a small chapel perched at the summit of the “Desert of St. Ferréol” plateau (closed to the public; La Capelette can only be visited on rare occasions, such as during guided tours organized by the Terres d’Autan-Montagne Noire tourist office; for information, call 0800 74 65 81)
- Take a stroll along the Taurou stream and go fishing or wade in the “Piscines”—small artificial pools built in the 18th century to supply water to the village’s canals and fountains.
- Seek out the Baylou Chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, with its small waterfall and stream of miraculous water hidden in the woods.
- And for thrill-seekers: go paragliding with the Rev’ailes association (for information, contact the town hall at 05 63 50 31 20)