The Marble quarries walk - Félines

English
2
1
The
Marble
quarries
walk
FÉLINES-MINERVOIS
3
ou
A
B
7
6
P2
4
5
P3
4
Marble quarries walk, blue waymarking.
Link.
Marble quarry.
Shelter.
Other footpaths.
Motorised access.
Pedestrian access.
Cartographie : Asso° Culture & Patrimoine Félinois, Pays Haut Languedoc et Vignobles. © IGN 2013.
N
200 m
P1
1
Complete footpath
Departure points : P1, P2, P3.
Walking time : 5h 30mins
Distance : 13,5 km La Planette
3
Level of difficulty :
medium
Total height
difference :
545 m
Altitude :
B
Les Bessous
280 to
610 m
Font dal Rainard
2
Bel Soleil
1
P1
Ventajou
d
ose n
p
o
Pr ectio
La Planette
dir
A
7
Font dal Rainard
2
The Marble
quarries
walk
Bel Soleil
1
3
P1
Ventajou
Biot
6
P2
Fraissé
B
Castillou
Les Bessous
A
7
4
Biot
Les Escaliers
B
Les Bessous
6
P2
Fraissé
A
7
5
Biot
6
P2
Fraissé
Castillou
4
P3
Cros
Les Escaliers
5
P3
Cros
Height difference & distances
Height diff. (m)Distance
P1 à 1 -25; 25; -5 1100 m
1à2
165 1792 m
2 à 3 15;-60;20;-50 1980 m
3àB
5; -64 1200 m
Bà4
-61 1265 m
4à5
-120 1135 m
5à6
-20;150 1960 m
6 à P2
5 285 m
P2 à 7
-45; 60 840 m
7àA
40 245 m
A à P1 -50; 60; -50 1750 m
BàA
9 1200 m
B à P2
- 46 800 m
P3 à 5
80 770 m
2
3
Higher footpath
Dep. points : P1 or P2.
Quarries : 1, 2, 3, (6), 7
Walking time : 3h 45mins
Distance : 10 km
Level of difficulty : medium
Total height diff. : 332 m
Altitude : 370 to 610 m
Lower footpath
Departure points : P2 or P3.
Quarries : 7, 4, 5, 6
Walking time : 2h 30mins
Distance : 4,3 km
Level of difficulty : medium
Total height difference : 275 m
Altitude : 280 to 485 m
Why come ?
To explore the quarries, some of which were open in ancient times when the
Romans used a lot of marble, others date from the mediaeval and renaissance
periods. The Bessous quarry (Bessos means twins in Occitan) provided the marble
for dozens of chimneys at Versailles. Come and look at the methods of exploitation
of the quarries, for example the only windmill built for cutting marble. Come too
to explore this beautiful area of countryside with it's rich and varied flora and fauna.
Being prepared
Apart from in summer, the wind is often strong so a pullover and windproof are
advised. Start at sunrise in the shelter of the prevailing wind, the Cers, which blows
from the West (P1). The route reaches it's highest part (1, 2), the most exposed to
the wind, before descending again. At midday you can picnic in the shelter of the
quarries. The path finishes to the south/south east, sheltered from the wind. Two
shelters (3, 7) allow you to escape the rain as well as the refuge at Ventajou (P1).
If you walk in the summer start early in the morning and take plenty of water
and a hat.
How to get to the starting points ?
Three circuits to choose from
Depending on the time available you can follow the
complete footpath or opt for one of the shorter routes.
Motorised access. P1 Ventajou : at Felines follow the Camplong road and turn left
for l'Abéouradou. P2 Fraisse : from Félines follow the Brama road which starts to
the left of the Post Office. P3: from Caunes Minervois take the Trausse road and
turn left for Notre Dame du Cros.
Pedestrian access. From the Mairie at Félines follow the footpath which will take
you up to Ventajou or to Brama (yellow waymarking).
Presentation
Services
Seven former marble quarries are linked by a
footpath which winds it's way over the plateau
of La Planette with splendid views over
the Montagne Noire, the Aude plain, the Corbières
and the Pyrénées.
Sheltered parts of the walk alternate between holm
oak and pines. The footpath includes many easy
passages but some parts are rocky and uneven
and may be slippery in wet weather.
Good footwear is necessary.
At Ventajou : a communal refuge with tables and open fire, open all year.
At Félines : Station Marty (petrol, cigarettes, newspapers, wine): Mon to Sat 7h3012h 14h-19h and Sun 7h30-12h. General store, Tues to Sat 7h30-12h 14h-19h
and Sun. 7h30-12h. Bar l'Occitan, Tues to Sun 10h30-15h and 17h-01h.
In the vicinity: ATM machines: Olonzac, Rieux-Minervois, Caunes-Minervois.
Pharmacy : La Livinière, Pépieux, Peyriac-Minervois, Caunes-Minervois.
The marble quarries footpath is an initiative
of the Félines culture and heritage association
Infos.: 04 68 91 63 90 / 04 68 91 52 24, Mairie 04 68 91 41 70.
Commune de
Félines-Minervois