Botanic Hike following the Saint James Way from Saint Guilhem le Désert

Transcription

1 Botanic Hike following the Saint James Way from Saint Guilhem le Désert. At a gentle pace set by the pack donkeys 7 days of rambling guided by Florence, pilgrim, botanist, and geobiologist 7 days to live close to nature at the leisurely pace set by our animal pack-donkey and to discover the countryside its history, its botany, its hidden secrets from St. Guilhem le Désert to Anglès, a delightful escorted ramble, with the day s necessities carried by the donkey, from the 19 th to the 26 th of May and the 2 nd to the 9 th of June 2018 You are invited to join the wildest section of the Route d Arles of the St James Pilgrims Way, through breath-taking scenery, which can only be appreciated on foot. From the Mediterranean heath baked by the sun to the cool shade of the beech forests on the Plateau of the Lakes, from the asphodel with its slender white foliage (whose flowers should be fading as we pass) to the delicate orchids and drosera (sundews) of the peat bogs, you are invited to discover the botanic marvels on display to please the eye, to learn about them, and to drink herbal teas in the hostels. Let s discover the forgotten sites that our forebears frequented on foot long ago. Accommodation awaits in hostels (some gîtes and some bed and breakfasts) with 3 or 4 beds per room, all full board. The evening meals will sometimes be provided and sometimes prepared by our Steward, while the donkey will carry our picnic lunch. The stages have been set very reasonably at about 20 km per day, achievable by anyone in reasonable health, even without any great preparation. The Steward will be able to join us by car at several points during the day and shorten the journey for anyone finding themselves unexpectedly weary. The group will consist of no more than 10 to 12 botanical pilgrims.

2 OUTLINES OF OUR ROUTE The Arles Route, the most southerly part of the ancient way, was used by pilgrims from Provence and Italy to travel to Galicia, passing through St. Guilhem, following the Larzac, then the Espinouse and the lakes on their way to Castres and Toulouse. Then they crossed the Gers and continued to the Pyrenees via the Aspe Valley and the Somport Pass, before descending into Spain towards Puente la Reina where they joined the other routes of the Camino Francès. This is the route we take, in the following stages: Saturday 19/05 & 2/06: meeting point in Saint Guilhem, late afternoon for those making their own way, or we can pick you up from Montpellier train station. Sunday 20/05 & 3/06: from Saint Guilhem to St Jean de la Blaquière: 20km. After a moderately steep climb to get us going we will meander along the stony plateau of Saint Baudille, through the village of Arboras and its castle before descending to Saint Jean de la Blaquière. B&B overnight. Monday 21/05 &4/06: from St Jean de la Blaquière to Lodève: 15km. An easy stage. After a walk through the heather we reach the woods where the trees vary depending on the soil. We detour through the Priory of Grandmont, a geobiological curiosity, a former monastery of the austere Gradmontine Order, before descending to Lodève. Overnight stay in a small gîte. Tuesday 22/05&5/06: from Lodève to Joncels: 20 km. Leaving the Mediterranean vegetation we are off to the Mont d Orb, which has plenty of history of its own. The magnificent 360 view from the top of the Baraque pass will make our efforts all the more worthwhile. That night, we will sleep in a hostel in Joncels, which is a fortified village and home to one of the most ancient abbeys in the area. Wednesday 23/05&6/06: from Joncels to Serviès: 22km. First we go through Lunas and its castle then Le Bousquet d Orb. We then move on to a beautiful forest on the slopes of the Mont d Orb. Our walk will take us along the forest tracks that follow a crest above completely wild countryside before arriving at the gîte at the Hameau de Serviès. Thursday 24/05&7/06: from Serviès to Fagairolles: 21km. A gentle start along the bottom of the valley before taking the tracks through the beech forest towards St Gervais sur Mare. We then go up the Mare valley with the striking and beautiful Espinouse hills on our left. We pass isolated hamlets and a Visigoth site before a last climb to Fagairolles to get to our gîte. Friday 25/05&8/06: from Fagairolles to La Moutouse: 21km. This stage takes us up to 1080m (easy enough as our gîte was at 978m) before a relaxing walk down to Murat sur Vèbre with its menhir museum. In the distance you can see the glistening water of the lake of Laouzas set in the mountain pastures. We will then walk along its edge to reach the hamlet of La Moutouse where we will have a well-deserved rest in our last gîte. Saturday 26/05&9/06: from La Moutouse to Angles: 21 km. Today we change watersheds and follow the river Agout which flows into the Atlantic. We will pass through beech woods and fields of spring flowers ready for picking. In the meadows we see rare flowers and a few menhirs. Our last steps take us to our destination, Anglès, at about 4 pm, where we will meet our Steward ready to take anyone who so wishes to Castres.

3 USEFUL INFORMATION Walking tour with a donkey to carry our bags. A car and Steward will join us twice a day. Medium walking pace. Effort: 3 to 4 Technical difficulty: 1 to 2 Risk: 1 All-inclusive price, with a Steward. Groups are limited to 10 participants. For ecological and practical reasons, the walk is from Station to Station. We provide transport: from Montpellier or Carcassonne (Ryanair) to Saint Guillhem on Saturday 19/05 & 02/06 in the afternoon. From Anglès to Castres or Carcassonne on Saturday 26/05 & 9/06 Price: 750 euros. Payment in instalments is possible and there is a reduction of 5% for couples. Deadline for bookings: 30/04/2018 Included A botanical, geological trip touching on local history, the history of the Saint James Pilgrims Way and also geobiology and telluric energy. Shared overnight accommodation (3 or 4 beds per room) All-inclusive: breakfast, picnic lunch, hot evening meal and snacks. A donkey to carry the daytime necessities A Steward to help. Transport at the end and beginning, to and from the stations Not included Other travel costs, before and after the hike. Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages Single bedroom This is suitable for anyone with a medium level of fitness and basic sports gear: walking shoes, sticks and a small rucksack. Professional Liability Insurance: AN , Generali Assurance

4 BOOKING FORM Given name Surname Address.. Post Code. Town.. Country... Age : Mobile Home phone. Profession.. I the undersigned.. wish to take part in the botanical walk along a stretch of the Saint James Pilgrims Way Please tick one from the 19 to 26 May 2018 from the 2 to 9 June I agree to pay a deposit of 250 euros I agree to abide by the set times, plan and security measures. Signature date. I have included a medical certificate, certifying I am fit to take part in this walking tour. Please What is your botanical level? Please How used to walking are you? tick one tick one Total beginner (except daisies) I walk now and then I love it but I don't know much I do moderate exercise I m passionate about it I m constantly out walking Please state any medical problems or allergies: Thank you! Once we have received your payment, you will receive a list of suitable clothing and equipment and a more detailed description of the walk.

5 General disclaimer: Booking and payment: Before booking your trip, please check availability by calling us on +33 (0) Your booking will be guaranteed once you have paid a non-refundable 30% deposit. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. The remaining 75% must be paid 30 days before departure. Cancellation: If you cancel less than 30 days before departure, you will still have to pay the entire balance. If you cancel more than 30 days before departure, your deposit will not be returned to you. If the trip is cancelled by the farm (for undersubscription - less than 5 people) all your money will be returned. We will pay you damages of 150 euros if we cancel the trip in the month before departure. If for any reason the trip is cut short (e.g. adverse weather, illness or accident), there will be no reimbursement - even partial. Insurance: La Ferme d En Gout has an insurance policy with GENERALI ASSURANCE. This insurance covers any accidental damage caused by the donkey to anyone on the walk and any one taking the donkey to pasture. Contact info: Florence HERVE En Gout DOURGNE. Tel.: +33 (0) (mobile) or +33 (0) ferme.engout@orange.fr

6 IN BRIEF WHEN: from Saturday 09/05 or 02/06 evening to Saturday 26/05 or 9/06 evening WHERE: From Saint Guilhem le Désert (34), to Anglès (81) Shuttle from Montpellier and from Anglès to Castres HOW: Walking, with a donkey to carry daytime luggage and a Steward to help at the end of each stage From gîte to gîte, all-inclusive HOW MUCH: 750 euros all included Small group, 12 persons maxi WHO: YOU! Deadline for bookings: 30/04/2018 Subscribe By phone to: Florence HERVE +33 (0) or +33 (0) By ferme.engout@orange.fr On our website: SEE YOU SOON! Period map Modern map: