Local history and culture France

The site of Space rock preserves the remains of the medieval castle which once dominated the city. There remains only the tank, because the Count of Toulouse destroyed it in 1238 in order to abort any risk of insubordination. Around this rock, a botanical garden has been built. It allows you to discover aromatic plants and shrubs, pushing in the midst of remnants of ancient walls. A break to this site also allows you to enjoy the panorama of the city, the valley of the Sorgues and the seven hills.

This hike allows you to discover the heritage of the village of Saint-Vaast-lès-Mello, a village of carriers on the hillside. For example, you will pass in front of the church of the Trinity, which is classified, the climbing wall (Site site), the two washing machines, the calcicoles lawns and the 17-hectare pond that hosts several species of birds: The coot, the mute swan and the posh grèbe. But also in front of several open-air quarries, still active or abandoned, where nature starts to regain its rights, with to finish the farmhouse of Barisseuse in stone with the Chapel Saint Nicholas.

Do you know that prior to Saint-Gobain's implantation, Thourotte was only a village of 500 inhabitants? Rapidly, demography exploded and in the 50% s the population increased by per cent to each census. Eight instructional panels identify the installation of this plant: its city of work with very modern houses for the time (running water, electricity, health), its chapel, its cinema and its cultural centre (on St. Gobain Square, instead of the current audiovisual library), its clinic (replaced by the family mutual), or its holiday colonies.

Albert Glatigny, a young poet who died in Sèvres, gave his name to this staircase. Sebastian James, a famous internationally acclaimed artist, executed a fresco "The Court of Miracles". This staircase has 126 steps. During its descent, it allows to contemplate the left bank of the city. Vertigineux staircase that makes a curve to resume its race and to give on a paved courtyard, it is the law of beautiful walks dealing with houses of sévrien heritage. You can even contemplate fruit trees.

The Village is the heart of the old village. You will discover its narrow and pentues streets, which wind between the austere and high facades of stones built "hot and sand". Some of them still show turrets or old doors with stone lintels decorated and dated. Once a country of wine, these facades contain many old and low doors, dominating huge cellars. It was built on several levels of vaults of tufa, urged and aging here of famous wines. The fluent plots and fountains in the basins dug in the stone and somewhat aerate this hardened place. Seemingly modest, it took excessive efforts to bring water - precious and rare - to the heart of the village from sources on the mountain. To visit the town is to get closer to the soul of the old village, while reconnecting with its rich past. But at the same time, we appreciate the efforts of development and restoration, which today allow life to develop in these historic places, without making it just a museum village.

In the heart of Mauritania, women in the Adrar Oasis had to develop gardening activities to survive the drought of desert lands. However, breeding and culture of these rare parcels of life are not enough for the survival of the community. These women have therefore opened up to tourists access to traditional tents and stone houses and land to make their way of life and the exceptional sites that the desert has to offer. Access is done by Paris or Marseille, and every penny spent is returned to that community.

Behind his abbey and stone walls, Cluny is a mysterious city. What do these walls contain? Who were the people who lived there? This is what you are proposing to discover the clunisian owners, the time of this unusual visit. In turn, they will open up these mysterious doors that contain very different universes, and tell you the stories that took place there. The reservation is made at the Tourist Office of the city.

Tariff: free.

Duration: from 1 h 30 to 2 h.

Difficulty: easy.

For history lovers, beautiful stones and typical villages, three guided tours are planned to discover Pavant and its many fountains. Between June and August 2015, let us meet with the nine ruisselets in the wine town. Take the time to observe the Roman tower, and then let yourself be seduced by the charm of ancient fountains. A pleasant little walk.