RISQUE INCENDIE - Veuillez consulter le niveau de risque en vigueur sur la carte avant de partir en randonnée. En cas de risque extrême, l'accès aux massifs forestiers sera interdit. Nous appelons à la plus grande prudence.

The “Capitelles” - Arques Road
Laure-Minervois

The “Capitelles” - Arques Road

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Across the vast territory of Laure-Minervois, the "capitelles" - dry-stone shelters - stand as testaments to the history and labor of rural life. 

Each “capitelle” bears a different girl’s first name. 

Description

Trail Markings: Yellow

Starting Point: With your back to City Hall.

Head left, then at the intersection, take Avenue des Oliviers, this is where the trail markers begin. At the top of the housing development, turn right and “head up” toward the scrubland, where the first sign on the left points to the path leading to a small capitelle; above it, a larger one with a shelter leans against the boundary wall. Pass through a grove of holm oaks and giant broom, turn left onto the cart path, then right to reach an old raised garden with a restored "capitelle" near a small chasm. 

Climb about ten stone steps and return to the scrubland. Turn right and follow the wall to the north. At the water tower, rejoin the old cart track and continue along the La Guinette municipal trail. 

Enter a pine forest heading toward Pech Majou Sud. As you climb, enjoy a beautiful view of the Romanesque bell tower of Saint Jacques d’Albas and the Château de Villarlong (pre-Romanesque chapel and Visigothic ruins). 

Walk through a remarkable cypress grove (20-meter-tall trees, on both sides of a deep ravine). Above a small stream, climb about thirty steep steps to reach a flat area. 

Continue north, following the vertical stone wall (capitelle) bordering a vast enclosure (carpet of rockroses). To the east, enjoy a beautiful view of the village, the Crapam, and the Alaric. Descend toward Pech Majou Nord (a small, restored capitelle with a door on the north side). 

Once you reach the trail, turn right onto “Retour 2” toward the village to return to the starting point. 

  • Departure : Laure-Minervois - City Hall
  • Arrival : Laure-Minervois - City Hall
  • Towns crossed : Laure-Minervois

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Access and parking

From Carcassonne, there are two options:
Either take the D6113 to Trèbes, then the D135 to Laure. Or take the D620, pass through Villalier, then turn right onto the D37 before Villegly, pass through Bagnoles, and continue on the D35 to Laure.

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