Clausonne Abbey circular route via the Col de Combe Escure

Reach the village of Le Saix via the D49, from the D994 between Serres and Veynes. At the sign marking the entrance to Le Saix, continue straight ahead, cross the bridge and then pass through the village towards Clausonne. Park in the centre, near the old school or the pizzeria.
There is another car park, reserved for walkers, just outside the village: immediately after the bridge at the village entrance, take the small road on the right for 250 m until you reach the car park by the footbridge over the Maraize stream.

(S/E) Follow Rue de la Seigneurie towards Le Faï, Clausonne and Lac Peyssier, heading south-east. Cross the Suzanne torrent via the bridge. Carefully follow the D249T for about 200 m until you reach the junction with a path.

(1) Take the track on the right, heading south-west. Walk alongside the Maraize torrent; when you can see the bridge, head back up towards the Route de Claussone (D249T) and the small car park just before the sign reading ‘Road not recommended beyond this point’.

(2) Continue along the road, heading south, towards the hamlet of Le Faï and the Gouravour Gorges, dominated by towering cliffs. Follow the Maraize torrent and its natural pools. Wooden artworks (land art) line the path in places. You can cut across a few hairpin bends by taking a path straight up the slope. Reach the junction for the hamlet of Le Faï.

(3) Continue along the road and pass beneath the international visitor centre, heading south-south-east. Take in the famous Trompes du Faï and you may even hear them at times (in summer). Carry on along the forest track which follows the stream as it climbs gently. Pass the statue of the Virgin Mary marking the approach to Clausonne Abbey and continue to the small path on the right which branches off towards the mill.

(4) Take this path, which descends to the right, and cross the Maraize stream via the small bridge (impassable in winter: go round via the track and the bridge further up). Climb up the paved slanting street to the ruins of the old Clausonne Abbey (information boards). Join the track at the hairpin bend.

(5) Head up to the right, south-west, across the meadow and then through the trees towards La Darbanne farm to join track C88 and a signpost (PR® markings).

(6) Take the track on the right to climb through woodland and mountain pastures.

(7) Follow the main path (cairns and yellow markings) to cross the Prairie de la Péguière, then join a lane lined with trees and dry stone walls (this is the path to the old village of La Péguière).

(8) Leave the meadow and continue through the forest, heading north-west then west. Make your way along the marl gullies until you reach a rather narrow passage at the Cheynet torrent. Cross it and continue north for 600 m. Then head back down, heading west, to cross the Tré Maroua torrent and join a path coming from the left.

(9) Carry on straight ahead, heading north, on a gentle descent to the Col de Tré Maroua.

(10) Take the path on the left leading to the Col de Combe Escure, heading north-west.

(11) Continue down the increasingly steep path, which winds its way through marl and Scots pines, until you cross the footbridge over the Maraize torrent and reach the Chemin de la Péguière (car park).

(12) Carry on straight ahead along the Chemin de la Péguière towards the village, heading north-east. Return to the starting car park (S/E).

The path is signposted PR® (yellow). You can also park at the small car park by the gorges (2) or at the walkers’ car park (11).

Some sections are exposed to the sun, so these should be avoided during periods of intense heat. However, the Gouravour stream offers pools and waterfalls where you can cool off. Apart from the fountain in the centre of the village of Le Saix, there are no water sources along the route.

At Clausonne Abbey (5): information boards, picnic tables and toilets (water not guaranteed to be drinkable). The following website offers an immersive audio walk: http://paysagesonore.free.fr/blogsonore/?page_id=1307

Accommodation / catering:

• Le Saix: pizzeria (subject to opening hours), occasional guesthouse accommodation.
• Serres (10 mins): shops, restaurants, hotels.
• Veynes (15 mins): shops and restaurants.

Alternative route: the circular route can be done in the opposite direction to explore the abbey site on the way down. However, in this case, the first part of the ascent is quite steep and demanding, so avoid tackling this circular route during the hottest part of the day. Hiking poles may be useful.

The Gouravour Gorges: spectacular geological formations.

(3) Les Trompes du Faï: situated at the back of a closed cirque, these acoustic trumpets amplify and reflect sounds off the surrounding cliffs, creating a powerful echo comparable to a natural organ.

(5) The Old Abbey of Clausonne (ruins): for around a thousand years, this area was inhabited, worked, cultivated, travelled through and served as a refuge on several occasions… Initially a protected territory during the period of the ‘Great Invasions’ over a thousand years ago, it was home to people living self-sufficiently, working hard in an environment where their flocks were ‘often ravaged by wolves or rockfalls’… Amidst snow, thatched roofs (made of broom), forests and disease, this poor and isolated community reared sheep and produced hardy cereals, timber and charcoal, beech wood, hemp, and later lavender and lime blossom… In the 12th century, monks came to the area to found an abbey there. The site of Clausonne, situated on the banks of the Torrent de Maraize, held spiritual appeal due to its geographical isolation and strengthened the existing links between the southern Chalais communities of Lure, Boscodon and Valserres. Despite its isolation, the abbey and its occupants were to suffer several episodes of pillaging and destruction. In 1573, the atrocities committed by Protestant troops proved fatal to the abbey, and it ceased to exist as a regular monastery. The building was subsequently converted into a farm, then a town hall and school, and finally into the parish church of the village of Clausonne (population 80). Eventually, Clausonne became one of those small villages that gradually lost their inhabitants and were ultimately abolished as administrative entities in the 19th century.

Nearby:

• Lake Peyssier (continue along the D249t): a natural lake in a glacial basin.
• Mount Aujour: a remarkable panoramic view over the Dévoluy and the Baronnies.