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This is a circular pattern, so you can start wherever you like.
If you want to start from Saint-Papoul, there is a car park just behind the school which is perfect.
Coming from Saint Martin Lalande, we started from the car park at the small water treatment plant in Saint-Martin-Lalande.
(S/E) Cross the D28 and continue along the road opposite until you reach a fork.
(1) Continue straight on the road, which will soon run alongside the Bassens stream.
(2) When you reach Bassens, turn right at the calvary and walk along the sanctuary garden towards Notre-Dame de Bassens.
(3) Leave the sanctuary on your right and walk alongside the oratory.
(4) Then cross the stream, turn left and follow theGR®7to the D103.
(5) Cross carefully straight ahead along the houses (do not follow theGR®7markings) and walk along the wall that signals the approach to the abbey-cathedral. At the end of the wall, turn right towards the village.
(6) When you reach the tarmac road, turn right towards the abbey (visits possible for approx. €5, opening hours vary depending on the date: check the abbey's website).
(7) After the abbey, turn left in the village towards the school and, immediately afterwards, turn right towards the car park, where you can start the walk if you wish. Follow the path uphill.
(8) At the fork, follow the path on the left towards the plain and the Domaine de Cahuzac, inhabited in the 16th century by a wealthy merchant from Cahuzac who gave it its name. You will then have a magnificent view over the entire Lauragais plain in the Aude department: Fanjeaux, Montréal as far as Castelnaudary and, closer by, the square bell tower of Saint-Martin.
(9) At Jeannot, turn right towards the silo and the Source poultry farm, descend towards Fontcaude and follow the small lake. Join the D71.
(10) Cross carefully, first turning left then right to continue on the road towards La Francaise and cross a stream.
(11) Walk alongside the riding club (on your left), descend towards the Escons solar farm and return to the fork in the road from the outward journey.
(1) Turn left to return to the car park where you started (S/E).
An easy hike, well marked, mostly on small paved roads with very little traffic (we only passed three cars, and there was no risk of mud!). Part of the route is at a higher elevation, offering beautiful views of the Lauragais and the Pyrenees, weather permitting! Two culturally interesting sites to discover are the Bassens Chapel and the Cloister of Saint Papoul.
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