From the village of Le Saix to Lake Peyssier via the Col de Combe Escure

From Serres, take the D1075 then the D994 towards Veynes. Turn right halfway along the D49 and drive to Saix to start the walk at the church.

(S) In the village of Saix, opposite the church, head down to the left along the Chemin de la Péguière to reach the footbridge spanning the Torrent de Maraize.

(1) Continue uphill to reach the Col de la Combe Escure. The climb is a little steep but only for a short distance. PR®® signposting^.

(2) Continue to the Col de Tré Maroua.

(3) Make your way along the marl ruts on a wider path through the forest. Go past the pass to reach a tricky, narrow passage through the marl near the Torrent du Cheynet.

(4) Carry on and you will then emerge into a meadow. Keep to the right-hand side of the meadow to reach a lane lined with trees and dry stone walls, which leads towards the old village of La Péguière.

(5) Turn left towards Clausonne Abbey. Follow the cairns and yellow markings. The path turns into a track. Once on the track, take the first path on the left to reach the abbey site.

(6) Continue to the right to cross the Torrent de la Péguière and join the forest track. Turn right and head uphill to Lac de Peyssier, continuing straight on at every junction (GR® markings from the^first junction).

(7) Walk along the lake and, at the very end, after crossing the Torrent de Maraize once, leave the GR® on the plain and take a path keeping to the right which crosses the Peyssier plain. At the ‘Les Oustaus’ signpost, turn right to reach the Lodge des Oustaus. (E)

Water points at Clausonne Abbey and along the forest track leading up to the lake (the Rascle spring).

Ruins of Clausonne Abbey

(6) Clausonne Abbey was the first daughter monastery of Notre-Dame de Lure, itself a daughter monastery of Notre-Dame de Boscodon. The exact year of its foundation is unknown, but it can be dated to around 1185.
The site at Clausonne, situated on the banks of the Maraize torrent, holds spiritual appeal due to its geographical isolation and strengthens the existing network between the southern Chalais communities of Lure, Boscodon and Valserres. A long day’s walk was required to travel between the sites, which was essential for the transhumance of sheep to the Crau plain, where Puyredon Abbey was founded in 1205.

The lord of Val-d’Oze donated the estate on which the monks were to build the abbey. The abbey also owned land, pastures and vineyards. Its income, however, remained modest.
Despite its isolation, the abbey and its occupants were subjected to several episodes of looting and destruction. In 1573, the atrocities committed by Protestant troops proved fatal, and the abbey ceased to exist as a regular monastery. Until that date, Clausonne and Boscodon had maintained an independent existence for several centuries following the dissolution of the Order of Chalais. From that point onwards, the building was taken over and converted into a farm, then into a town hall and school following the Revolution. A parish church was established in the choir for the 80 inhabitants of the village of Clausonne, which ceased to exist after the State purchased the entire estate to manage its forests.