The troglodytic chapel and hermitage of San-Chaousou

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Discover the troglodytic chapel and hermitage of San-Chaousou (Saint-Joseph in the local dialect) on the slopes of the Causse de Changefège.

Details

n°2613978
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.34 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 712 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 696 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,140 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,710 ft
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Photos

View of Mende
Lot Valley - Le Villaret
Fountain
Troglodytic hermitage

Description of the walk

Leaving Mende, heading towards Balsièges on the N88, take the steep road leading up to Changefège on the right. Follow the road for about 1.5 km to the car park below the road, which is the starting point for this walk.

(S/E) At the end of the car park, take the forest track heading south-west and pass above the fountain.

(1) Continue along the path through a forest of oak and pine trees, running alongside the Las Queisses ravine.

(2) When you reach the junction after about 1.5 km, continue along the path on the left. After about 200 m, the forest track turns 180°.

(3) Leave the track and take the path that continues straight ahead. After 250m, you will reach another junction on the left.

(4) This leads to the chapel and the cave hermitage below.

(5) Then head back up the path.

(4) Continue along the small path on the left until you reach the wide, stony forest track. Follow this track up to a new junction with another track running perpendicular to it.

(6) Turn right, walk uphill for about 350m and continue along the track until you reach the first junction.

(2) Follow the path back in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,838 ft - Starting point car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.41 - alt. 2,920 ft - Fountain
  3. 2 : mi 1.04 - alt. 2,943 ft - Crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 1.18 - alt. 2,940 ft - Crossroads
  5. 4 : mi 1.3 - alt. 2,940 ft - Towards the chapel and the hermitage
  6. 5 : mi 1.42 - alt. 2,759 ft - Chapel and Hermitage of San-Chaousou
  7. 6 : mi 1.85 - alt. 2,963 ft - Track junction
  8. S/E : mi 3.34 - alt. 2,838 ft - Car park at the end of the route

Notes

The path is not signposted but is very easy to follow.

A fountain lines the path (1). Warning! The water is not drinkable.

The descent to the chapel (5) and the hermitage is via a small, fairly steep path that winds along the slopes of the Causse.

The hermitage is situated slightly below the chapel and is not visible from there. Continue down the path to reach it.

A religious service is held once a year at the chapel during a pilgrimage.

Worth a visit

Take the time to walk down and admire the troglodytic chapel of San-Chaousou and the hermitage, where the earliest traces of human occupation date back 4,500 years.

You can also admire the views over the villages of the Lot and Bramont valleys and the vista of the Lion de Balsièges rock spur.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 12714405

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The trail is perfect for a pleasant family walk and to discover the cave chapel.
It's just a short walk, which is probably not very busy as vegetation has taken over the path for almost 500 metres.

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eric76
eric76

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A nice thing to do, not difficult at all.

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C Dupont
C Dupont

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There was a discrepancy between the route shown on the map and the actual route as recorded by the GPS, which led us astray: this discrepancy caused us to take the wrong path, but the hermitage is well worth a visit.

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Grosvallet
Grosvallet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A easy route, except around the chapel and the hermitage where it gets a bit steep... But it’s well worth a visit!

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Emmanuelle48
Emmanuelle48

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful walk around La Chapelle that will delight you with its charm

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