The Boriette path to Bournazel

Starting point: Caussanel car park

(S/E) Take the road that starts to climb opposite the château. Follow the purple markings as you continue along the path. At the steeply ascending road, pass Caldecoste to reach a junction.

(1) Turn left onto the ascending path: there’s a viewpoint to the north over the Chaîne des Puys. At the edge of the forest, take the path leading down to the right and continue to the road.

(2) At the Route de la Fage, turn left then keep to the right onto the forest track climbing through the Bessade pine forest until you reach a multi-way junction.

(3) Turn right onto a ridge path (viewpoint), then continue along the path to the left, leaving all other paths to your right. Walk past a meadow before beginning the descent towards La Boriette.

(4) Cross the hamlet and join the tarmac road. At the stone cross, turn left and head down to the stream.

(5) At the hairpin bend after the stream, take the path on the right which, after 100 m, begins to climb. Cross the stream (sign: no motorbikes). Continue to follow the ascending path. Below Carabols (which you cannot see), head down to the left and pass through the metal gate , taking care to close it behind you.

(6) Further on, head uphill and turn right onto a wide forest track, then left. Head up to the mobile phone mast by turning right (665 m – viewpoint).

(7) Pass the mast and head down to the right, following the main path, to reach a large car park. Cross it and head to the left. Take the tarmac road on the left.

(1) Carry on straight ahead, retracing your steps along the route you took on the way there, to return to Bournazel (S/E).

- Wear suitable footwear.
- Take some food and drink with you.
- Hikers follow the route at their own risk. They remain responsible for any accidents they may suffer and for any damage they may cause to others (forest fires, damage to the environment, pollution, etc.).
- Stick to the marked paths and do not take shortcuts. If the route has been altered, follow the new signposting.
- Be considerate. We are not the only ones using the paths; be mindful of others.
- Take your rubbish away with you. Leave no trace of your visit; do not throw anything on the ground; carry a rubbish bag with you.
- Keep your dog on a lead, particularly near homes or livestock.
- Close gates and fences behind you, and walk around crops. We should respect the work of those who shape and preserve our environment.
- Follow the rules in certain areas.
- Do not light fires. Areas with dense vegetation (forests) or those that are too exposed (scrubland, dry heathland, etc.) can catch fire very quickly.
- Do not drink water from streams. Clear water does not necessarily mean it is safe to drink.
- Check hunting seasons; some routes may be dangerous.

‘La Boriette’ is a name derived from the Occitan word ‘borieta’, a diminutive of ‘boria’, meaning ‘cattle shed’. It was therefore in a very practical spirit that the elders named this place, which, judging by the buildings of the old farm, was of very modest size. Despite this, the farmhouse at La Boriette had 15 inhabitants in 1868.
The difficulty of feeding so many mouths, combined with the predominant role of religion in nineteenth-century rural society, led many families to send at least one of their children into religious life. Thus, at La Boriette, the family saw one of their sons enter the priesthood.
He received an education and training that led him to serve under Monsignor Marty, himself a native of Aveyron, who, after serving notably as parish priest at Bournazel from 1940 to 1943, was Archbishop of Paris from 1968 to 1981.
This son, mindful of the journey he had undertaken and grateful for the love of his parents who had guided him towards the priesthood, commissioned the carving of the cross which you will find at the edge of the hamlet; a distinctive feature of this cross is that the facial features carved into the stone are those of his own parents.