The Œil Doux chasm

Short loop in the Montagne de la Clape with a visit to the listed site of L'Œil Doux and the Domaine Municipal de l'Oustalet. This is the equestrian centre of the town of Fleury with a mini farm and an eco-museum.

Details

215616
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 127 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 131 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 71 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Fleury (Aude) (11560)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.202042° / E 3.148596°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2545ET, 2546OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The departure point is on the D1118 road between Fleury and Saint-Pierre, at the junction leading to Domaine de Laquirou. Parking and picnic facilities available.

(S/E) Cross the D1118 and take the path on the left (heading east-southeast) which runs alongside the tarmac road (on the right).

(1) At the end of the path, go down to the right, cross the Ruisseau des Bugadelles stream and follow the path. At the first crossroads, take the path on the left and continue along this path, ignoring the paths on the right and left. You will reach the top of the plateau 200 m after the water tower on the right of the path (green mound).

(2) At the crossroads, take the second dirt track on the left which descends towards the houses of Le Réveillou and a vineyard. Leave the houses on your left and continue along this track until you reach the D1118.
Cross the tarmac road towards the old quarry and turn left.
Follow the path marked by wooden posts and a cable (there are several paths at this point, but they all lead to the car park at the Gouffre de l'Œil Doux).
At the car park, take the path on the right that climbs towards the Œil Doux (signposted).

(3) At the sign for "l'Œil Doux", turn right and go up to another sign with instructions for l'Œil Doux. Viewpoint over the site of l'Œil Doux.
Follow the path that goes around the cliff and the site on the right (always keep to the left path).
Reach the other signpost for "l’Œil Doux".

(4) Go down to the foot of Œil Doux for a view, then go back up to the sign.

(4) Continue left to the "Bergerie" (Fleury eco-museum), continue straight ahead to reach the Domaine Municipal de l'Oustalet (equestrian centre and mini farm).

(5) Turn left onto the path between the stables and the farmyard, then descend to the right to pick up a dirt track (fire brigade barrier). Turn left and follow this road to the next crossroads.

(6) Leave the road and take a stony path on the right that climbs and then heads west. Follow the yellow markings. Cross a stream to find a new crossroads.

(7) Turn left (yellow markings) and follow this dirt road, ignoring all the paths on the left and right, until you reach the junction with a paved road that leads to the Domaine de Laquirou.

(8) Turn left and take the paved road to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 63 m - Parking on the D1118
  2. 1 : km 1.13 - alt. 37 m - End of the path along the D1118 road
  3. 2 : km 2.75 - alt. 46 m - Crossroads near Le Réveillou
  4. 3 : km 3.96 - alt. 42 m - Crossroads, sign indicating "l'Œil Doux".
  5. 4 : km 4.73 - alt. 19 m - Gouffre de l'œil doux (sweet eye sinkhole)
  6. 5 : km 5.43 - alt. 7 m - Domaine de l'Oustalet
  7. 6 : km 6.24 - alt. 14 m - Fork in the road, turn right
  8. 7 : km 7.72 - alt. 44 m - Turn left (yellow signpost)
  9. 8 : km 8.95 - alt. 59 m - Turn left on the road
  10. S/E : km 9.23 - alt. 63 m - Parking on the D1118

Notes

Water point at Domaine de l'Oustalet.

Worth a visit

View of the Mediterranean, listed site, eco-museum (open in the afternoons during the summer), Oustalet equestrian centre, mini farm (drinks on sale in summer). Water point.
Picnics can be enjoyed at the start of the hike or nearby. If you've forgotten the wine, Domaine de Laquirou is right next door!
Saint-Pierre-sur-Mer and Narbonne beaches nearby.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 68 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
vivi 31
vivi 31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start and end of the walk were very quiet, though there were far more people around the chasm and the farm.
A pleasant walk

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Jean-Marie MONREYSSE
Jean-Marie MONREYSSE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice walk thanks to the chasm, though the rest of the route is rather average. We followed the red markings, which allowed us to extend the walk (12 km in total and 280 metres of elevation gain). The chasm is truly spectacular but is also very busy. Apart from the chasm, where there are lots of people, the rest of the walk is completely uncrowded. We didn’t come across a single soul!

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jano le doc
jano le doc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We went for a walk on the morning of the 20th, in lovely, really pleasant weather.
The only downside was the bee hive, which isn’t finished yet; we found more lizards than bees .
The route is very well marked; I imagine it must get quite busy in the afternoon, judging by the markings on the ground.

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valf66
valf66
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very stony path; despite having good walking boots, my arches were aching
In my view, this hike is of little interest (no views for most of the way, passing through heath and vineyards), except for the chasm itself, although I was expecting something a bit more spectacular
The signposting is sporadic, so I recommend you take a map with you
I’m disappointed given the distance I travelled to get here (I’m from the 66)
The section running alongside the road isn’t pleasant, with cars driving as if they’re on a route

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User 909769
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 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.
Please note, however, that there is an error in the description, which states that there is a car park and picnic area at the starting point, which is not the case. The car park and picnic area are located near the Gouffre de l'Œil Doux site.

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User 27734376

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family activity, well worth doing.

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J38
J38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very busy only near the car park closest to the chasm. A very pretty walk through nature and vineyards, the chasm is worth the trip. More rugged from the chasm onwards. However, there is little view of the sea. No difficulties to report, provided you follow the app (no signposts). Avoid in very hot weather.

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angelo73
angelo73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, very busy until you reach the chasm, which is worth a detour for geologists, photographers and birdwatchers... Then, on the rest of the hike, there are fewer and fewer people from the Oustalet educational farm onwards. The rest of the route is on tracks and small paths with beautiful views.
Not recommended in very hot weather.
Signposting is average, so follow the app carefully.

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jeanchap
jeanchap

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy route with little elevation gain.
The chasm remains the main attraction.
A beautiful attraction.
Overall, a lovely outing

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Audineau
Audineau

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The markings are difficult to spot on three quarters of the route, except around the chasm and the ostalet, where they are very well signposted.

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JEROME DES BOIS
JEROME DES BOIS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A fairly family-friendly hike, the Mas de l'Oustallet is worth mentioning on this route. It is a small, easily accessible farm.

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CG11
CG11

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The directions are very unreliable. There are few or no signposts. Apart from the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux, this walk is of little interest...

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jivais11
jivais11

La Clape is closed until 31 August for walking and parking.

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Vincent94P
Vincent94P

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk for beginners.

However, do not trust the information provided about the first car park. It cost us a €135 fine.

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journaldebord_dozaky
journaldebord_dozaky

Closed until the end of August due to high fire risk!!! Be careful not to go there for nothing, like we did!

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