Route of the 3 chapels of Giroussens

Start from the Chapel of Saint-Pierre-du-Puy, Route de Sant-Pierre, in the hamlet of Saint Anatole. Car park and viewpoint (panoramic view, orientation table) over the Dadou, Agout and Tarn valleys. Views of the Pyrenees on a clear day.

Yellow trail markings

(S/E) Join the D87, cross it carefully, then first turn right then left onto the small road and take the village path below into the cultivated field. Follow it along the bottom of the embankment (visible track).

(1) When you reach La Bousquetié farm, turn right then quickly onto the path on the left (markings) at the bottom of the embankment (cultivated local path). Continue until you reach the edge of the woodland.

(2) Walk past the beehives and follow the local nature trail (yellow Y sign on a black square background). At the road, continue to the right, cross the hamlet of Prat Pastat and reach a junction.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the village path until you reach a track. Walk a few metres to the left.

(4) Leave the nature trail and head south. Pass to the left of the hamlet of Les Bouyals and head straight on until you reach the junction with the D631. Cross it with care (heavy traffic and speed limit of 90 km/h), then follow it for 50 m to the right, heading west, and take Impasse des Sept Fages on the left in front of the speed camera. You will soon reach the next fork.

(5) Continue straight on, pass the hamlet of L’Aléguié and follow the grassy path to the Chapelle des Sept Fages.

(6) Go round the chapel and retrace your steps back to the hamlet of l'Aléguié and the junction you passed on the way there.

(5) Take the grassy path on the left towards Les Vergers des Moulins. Walk past the grocery shop (local produce, food) and cross the D631 again. Continue straight ahead along Route de la Sèlve, uphill, until you reach the next junction.

(7) Turn left onto Impasse de la Selve and follow the nature trail.

(8) At the end of the path, carefully cross the road (D87), follow it to the left for about 100 m and take Chemin des Jeannoutets on the right. Cross the hamlet and arrive at a junction.

(9) Turn left, heading south, and at the next junction, follow the D631 to the left, heading east, for about 50 m. Take the Route de Boulouy on the right, towards the Montessori College. Walk past the college and look for the start of a grassy path on the right, at the bottom of the slope.

(10) Take this path to reach the Chapelle Saint-Cyriaque.

(11) Walk past it and, at the next junction, continue left then quickly right onto the path towards Giroussens. Walk alongside a pond then take the tarmac village road. Option to make a short detour to visit the remarkable Martels Garden (Floral Park).

(12) At the three-way junction, keep right onto Route de la Nause, continue straight on, then cross the railway line of the Tarn Tourist Railway and climb towards the village of Giroussens (a 15% gradient!). At the junction, turn left (töpfers’ village) and arrive at a viewpoint by the War Memorial.

(13) Admire the panoramic view over the Dadou, Agout and Tarn valleys and the Pyrenees mountain range (on a clear day). From the car park in front of the town hall and Saint-Salvi Church, take Rue du Pont Saint-Salvi, pass the Giroussens Ceramics Centre (parking available) and the castle, then take the first path on the right, Promenade du Parc.

(14) At the end, first turn right then left, go under the^D631B bridge bypassing the village and, at the next junction, head down to the right onto Impasse de la Planette, then quickly turn onto the first street on the right. Take care, 15% gradient! ).

(15) At the bottom, take Chemin de La Manou immediately on the left. Leave the village, continue along a track suitable for vehicles and, at the end of this track, turn left to reach the hamlet of Les Castex.

(16) Head left onto Chemin de Valax, uphill (on tarmac then gravel), and reach a four-way junction.

(17) Continue straight ahead along Chemin du Pigeonnier, pass the farm and continue along the stony then grassy path until you reach the next road. Turn right and then left at Bellefont. At the hamlet of Saint-Anatole, rejoin the D87 and drive carefully uphill to the Chapel of Saint Pierre du Puy.

As this is a circular route, you can start from the Giroussens Contemporary Ceramics Centre or the town hall car park.

This mountain bike trail partly follows the “Boucle des chapelles de Giroussens” circular walking route. It differs from this route at the end (return to the Chapelle de Saint-Pierre du Puy from the “17 ”).

Grocery shops in Giroussens and along the route: (l'Esperluette and les Vergers du Moulin) - Ruchers du Tigou (see opening hours).

Restaurants: l'Echafauguette, le Bar du Girou, Le Tuk Tuk Thai Food.

Starting from the Chapel of Saint-Pierre-du-Puy: old cemetery, orientation table, picnic area (table, benches), children’s play area, bell, shelter.

Points of interest – Possible visits (see websites)

• Giroussens Contemporary Ceramics Centre,
• The Jardin des Martels in Giroussens,
• The Tarn Miniature Railway in Saint-Lieux-lès-Lavaur

Panoramic view of the Dadou, Agout and Tarn valleys, as well as the Pyrenees mountain range (on a clear day) in Giroussens, Place de la Mairie.