From Tanus to Las Planques

The Las Planques chapel is a remarkable example of southern Romanesque art.
It is nestled on a rocky promontory in the middle of the woods and majestically overlooks the Viaur Gorges.
This long loop is less difficult to access than the one from Pampelonne (published on Visorando).
Although classified as moderately difficult, you need to be reasonably fit to cover the distance and tackle the rollercoaster ride of the Viaur.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.88 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 536 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 536 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 442 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 289 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the village of Tanus, where parking is available in front of the church.
This is a combination of the "Le Vieux Tanus" and "Las Planques Version Courte" circuits (published by Visorando).

PR - Yellow markings

(S/E) With your back to the church and facing the Café des Sports, turn left and follow the yellow markings for Le Vieux Tanus. Stay on the D53A until you reach the edge of the village. After the last house, turn left at the crossroads. At the next two forks, keep left towards La Mourseillé.

(1) After the Mourseillé farm, continue along the gravel service road on the left. Shortly after the house on the right, the path becomes a dirt track. Further on, as you enter the woods, the path begins to descend gently.

(2) At the road, cross over and continue a few metres to the left before continuing downhill on the path on the right. The wide grassy track makes a sharp right turn and then follows a wide curve to the left. It continues downhill towards the banks of the Viaur.

(3) Turn left through a wooden gate. Walk along the Viaur through the open grassy area and climb slightly towards the wooded area. Leave Laval on your left and follow the course of the Viaur.

(4) At the dam and in front of the Moulin Haut, keep an eye out for the barely visible path that runs along the mill on the right. At the D988, turn right to cross the Pont de Tanus. Stay on the road for about 200 metres.

(5) Turn left onto the uphill path. This path, which is narrow and grassy at first, becomes wider and stony. It climbs steadily until it leaves the woods. At the road, turn left and walk past the Sicardie farm for about 30 metres.

(6) Turn left onto the grassy path in the hollow. The path widens and levels out until the next junction, which you should ignore. The path remains wide but becomes stony and begins to descend towards the Viaur. At the bend, enjoy the view of the Viaur from the Roc de l'Aigle.

(7) From Roc de l'Aigle, the descent is a loop down to the banks of the Viaur. The river is already visible when the trees have no (or no longer have) their foliage. Reach the Viaur. Walk along it, enjoying the calm presence of the water. The dirt path lined with greenery lends itself to the serenity of the place.

(8) After crossing the Ribassès stream, there is another climb towards Travers du Viaur, followed by a slight descent and another climb until you reach the red and yellow markings.

Red-yellow markings + yellow markings

(9) At the junction of thePR® andGRP® trails, continue straight ahead. At the next junction, take the sharp left turn to descend towards the Claude Riveno footbridge. Cross the footbridge to rejoin the path on the left bank. Turn right at the first junction; the path climbs in a loop to the rear of the chapel. After the viewpoint, retrace your steps a little and head right towards the entrance to Las Planques.

(10) Las Planques Chapel with another viewpoint near its entrance. Set off again through the wooden gate and go down the steps towards the crossroads with the stone cross. Follow the path on the left in front of the cross. At the next crossroads, take the path on the right towards Tanus. Cross the Rieu Caut and continue without taking the paths on the right.

Yellow markings

(11) End of double markings. Continue along the path opposite, which leads to the small bridge over the Viaur tributary. After crossing the small wooden bridge, climb slightly to follow the sign for Vieux Tanus. The path descends gently through the woods to Combefédo.

(12) In front of Combefédo, the dirt track gives way to a gravel path that is more or less tarmacked. The road runs alongside the N88 below it and then crosses it through a short tunnel.

(13) At the T-junction, turn left. Pass in front of the houses of La Moulinayrié. At the T-junction, turn right towards Tanus. At the entrance to Tanus, at the community hall and the large hangar, cross diagonally across Place du Ségala to reach the church and its car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 441 m - Church car park
  2. 1 : km 2.09 - alt. 427 m - Mourseillé farm, on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.91 - alt. 367 m - Cross the road
  4. 3 : km 3.62 - alt. 298 m - The Viaur upstream from Las Planques
  5. 4 : km 4.93 - alt. 292 m - To the right of the mill
  6. 5 : km 5.61 - alt. 303 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.68 - alt. 420 m - Grassy path on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.19 - alt. 381 m - Roc de l'Aigle
  9. 8 : km 8.05 - alt. 290 m - Cross the stream
  10. 9 : km 9.13 - alt. 401 m - Go straight ahead (junction of the PR and GRP)
  11. 10 : km 10.38 - alt. 326 m - Las Planques Chapel
  12. 11 : km 11.64 - alt. 426 m - At the end of the double signposting, go straight ahead
  13. 12 : km 13.87 - alt. 438 m - Combefédo
  14. 13 : km 14.9 - alt. 431 m - T-junction towards La Moulinayrié
  15. S/E : km 15.87 - alt. 441 m - Church car park

Notes

Hiking equipment, preferably long trousers (nettles, brambles, thistles).
Picnic tables behind the chapel and in the square in front of Tanus church.

At the time of publication of this hike, the new Viaur Bridge was still under construction.
It is now possible to walk to the foot of one of its pillars, as suggested by a VR member.
To do so, from the point (2), continue along the road towards the east.
In front of La Guizardié, turn sharply left towards Foulatières.
Continue along the path that extends to rejoin the trail at point (3)

Worth a visit

Numerous viewpoints over the Viaur and the Chapel of Las Planques
The chapel can be visited every day except Wednesday.
To do so, remember to borrow a key from the Café des Sports in Tanus before setting off on your hike.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
UK
UK

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, challenging hike (between 5 and 6 hours) with excellent signposting along lovely paths and trails. Picnic area at the Chapelle des Planques chapel with stone benches and tables.
PK

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francoise SALLES 81
francoise SALLES 81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, well marked, very beautiful landscapes...

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cclo6381
cclo6381

Hello,
Wonderful hike. I agree with all the reviews. Don't forget the keys to the chapel...
If you are physically fit, don't miss Paul Bodin's Viaur railway viaduct. From the edge of the Viaur, you can walk to the foot of one of the piers and even to the top of the railway line (we saw a passenger train pass by on Saturday around 11 a.m.). The end of the route on the N88 detracts from this hike, but perhaps it is difficult to find a solution...

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V.valade
V.valade

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant and not very difficult hike.

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Thierry07
Thierry07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A beautiful hike that starts and ends on tarmac, but that's unavoidable.
The trail is mostly shaded by trees, which is pleasant despite the heat.
You can extend the round trip to the Viaur viaduct until you find yourself under one of its piers (approximately 2 km round trip)
Be sure to read the hike description all the way through (in other words, don't do what I did 🤣), otherwise you'll find yourself in front of a closed chapel because you didn't ask for the key at the café...
In short, a hike to be recommended

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madydou
madydou ★

I note the point (2)
Have a nice day!

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Frala
Frala

That's point 2... I just realised that!

My apologies

Frala

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madydou
madydou ★

Hello Frala,
Thank you for your encouraging feedback.
It has been a long time since I last did this route, as I prefer the Pampelonne route, which I find even more beautiful.
I will try to add your comment to the point (3).
Happy hiking!

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Frala
Frala
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded hike in glorious weather with two highlights:

- The magnificent Viaur viaduct by Paul Bodin (whose design was preferred to that of Gustave Eiffel). In my opinion, it's a shame that the suggested route doesn't go there, because at point 3, you just need to continue along the road to the east and then turn left onto a small path that takes you right under one of the viaduct's pillars (a spectacular sight guaranteed) to rejoin the marked PR trail further down by the Viaur, which heads west (this avoids a return trip). If a modification is to be considered, I have the GPX track.

- The beautiful chapel of Las Planques and the remains of the old village, long since abandoned (excellent educational panels on the different trades).

Thank you to Madydou for this beautiful hike!

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madydou
madydou ★

Thank you for your feedback.
If you feel like revisiting Las Planques, try the loop starting from Pampelonne.
You'll come back delighted.
Happy hiking!

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routaboul;rene@hotmail.fr
routaboul;rene@hotmail.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

VERY BEAUTIFUL HIKE PARISH SPECIFIC TO BRITANNIA

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ElGa12
ElGa12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A truly beautiful hike!

Impossible to get lost, even without GPS (as there are signs along the way). Remember to ask for the key at the café des sports to enter the chapel. It's well worth it

We did it in December, and it was already very beautiful, but the scenery must be even more so in spring.

However, it goes up and down, so it might not be ideal with children (there are some steep sections along the Viaur, for example) or with people who aren't used to hiking.

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MNORDIC
MNORDIC

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is a wonderful discovery and mostly shaded... ideal in this heatwave.
The vegetation makes the viaduct less visible from the banks of the Viaur, but walking along it is very pleasant.
It goes up and down through the undergrowth and chestnut forest: it is very accessible (for good walkers)
(- less so for families and children -) and very well signposted!
We loved crossing the wooden footbridge and seeing the magnificent Romanesque chapel at the end.
Information panels tell us about life in the past
We 💚: unspoilt wilderness and beautiful local heritage
(only one downside: the end of the circuit along the N88: perhaps there are other alternatives?)

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Thierry31700
Thierry31700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, an alternative suggested in the Tarn guidebooks that does not add any extra distance and allows you to see the viaduct from the piers: at point 2, continue along the road that climbs uphill and after the first bend, do not take the hairpin bend, but continue along a path. You will arrive at the pier with the viaduct's inauguration plaque, offering beautiful views of the ironwork. A zigzag path takes you down to the banks of the Viaur and then back to point 3.

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frankblack
frankblack

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike. The arrival at the chapel site at the footbridge is superb!
Unfortunately, the keys had already been borrowed, so I couldn't visit the interior.
That will give me a reason to come back.
Only the end of the walk along the edge of the main road is less pleasant.
Hike done under beautiful spring sunshine.

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