The Gallic Village of Rieux-Volvestre

Formerly known as "Le Chemin des Mules" (The Mule Track), this smuggling route was also a Roman road and a route to Compostela. Starting from Sainte-Marie Cathedral, you will first discover the historic centre of this most beautiful detour in France. The trail then offers magnificent panoramic views of the Garonne plain and the river before arriving at the Gallic Village. There are four picnic spots along the route, and you can refill your water bottles at the fountains in the historic centre. Public toilets are available on the cathedral square.

Details

21410880
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 459 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 433 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 883 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 679 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Carbonne, take the D627 towards Rieux-Volvestre. In the village, park at the Parking des Paous car park.

Yellow markings

(S/E) Head north towards the cathedral, then turn left onto Rue de l'Évéché until you reach Rue de l'Ort.

(1) Take Rue de l'Ort (on the left, at the corner of the Tourist Office), then turn right onto Rue du Four. At the end, turn left onto Rue d'Auriac, then immediately right onto Rue de Salles. Pass in front of La Tourasse (a 13th-century seigneurial tower). At the end of the street, turn right onto Rue de l'Hôpital to reach Rue de La Bastide.

(2) Follow it to the left, at the statue of the Virgin Mary on the left, turn onto Promenade du Préau lined with chestnut trees and walk along the sports fields. Cross Rue de Saint-Julien and continue straight ahead on Rue de La Corne.

(3) At the end, turn left onto Chemin Profond, cross the D627A with caution and, at the fork, turn left onto Chemin du Grand Dinatis until you reach a housing estate.

(4) Turn right onto Rue des Acacias and pass the Radio Galaxie studio (98.5 FM) on your right. Turn left onto Chemin du Marfaut and continue straight ahead until you reach the Petit Dinatis farm.

(5) Take the path on the left at the edge of the farm. Then turn left. At the end, go down to the right along a stony, wooded path (view of the Garonne plain). At the end of the wooded area, turn left and cross a footbridge. Walk along the edge of the embankment, then take the first fork to the left. At the top of the hill, turn left to reach the bottom of the Jourdan farm. Turn right and continue to the Chemin de Boucharon crossroads.

(6) Turn right and, at the end of the tarmac road, turn right onto the grassy path. Walk past a house (a beautiful 20th-century residence) and continue along the path on the left until you reach a fork towards the Garonne.

(7) Descend to the right into the woods via the Sentier des Violettes path, which leads to the banks of the Garonne. Turn left along the hedge, pass close to the Maillan farm and turn right onto a small path that leads into the hedge. Continue along the Garonne, pass under the arch of the bridge and continue along the path to arrive at the car park of the Village Gaulois.

(8) At the car park, turn left, then near the departmental road, turn right and stay on the dirt track until you reach the bend in the road.

(9) Cross the road junction (with a stone pine tree) and take the path on the right that enters the woods.

(10) At the crossroads, turn left to cross the D25 with caution, then continue straight ahead to find the fork in the road from the outward journey.

(7) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction until you reach the Chemin de Boucharon crossroads.

(6) Continue along the dirt track opposite. Once you reach the tarmac road, turn right and return to the fork in Rue des Acacias

(4) Continue straight ahead and, following the route in reverse, return to the Paous car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 679 ft - Paous car park - Aryze (rivière) à finaliser
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 696 ft - Rue de l'Ort junction - Cathédrale de la Nativité-de-Marie
  3. 2 : mi 0.38 - alt. 705 ft - Rue de la Bastide
  4. 3 : mi 0.71 - alt. 705 ft - Chemin Profond junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.13 - alt. 751 ft - Rue des Acacias junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.76 - alt. 801 ft - Petit Dinatis Farm
  7. 6 : mi 2.86 - alt. 794 ft - Carrefour du Chemin de Boucharon
  8. 7 : mi 3.63 - alt. 869 ft - Turn-off towards the Garonne
  9. 8 : mi 4.54 - alt. 719 ft - Gallic Village - Garonne (fleuve)
  10. 9 : mi 4.93 - alt. 771 ft - Crossroads (stone pine)
  11. 10 : mi 5.22 - alt. 840 ft - Crossroads between land and road
  12. S/E : mi 8.05 - alt. 679 ft - Paous car park

Notes

The Volvestre Intercommunal Tourist Office offers a marked and secure route. You can pick up a free booklet presenting the historic centre and a guidebook for the hike at the tourist office, located opposite the cathedral at the starting point.

Worth a visit

Halfway along the route, you will arrive at the Gallic Village (historical reconstruction). Please consult the programme to find out about events, opening hours and prices. >> www.village-gaulois.org
(1) Cathedral of the Nativity of Mary

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Tourisme en Volvestre
Tourisme en Volvestre

Hello Randoc31, thank you for your feedback; we will pass this on.

Have a nice day,
The team at the Volvestre Inter-municipal Tourist Office.

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Randoc31
Randoc31

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello! At the end of point 2, you come to the “Petit Dinatis” farm, and there you see a sign prohibiting access to the path? There’s a yellow arrow at the corner of the path on the left, which we took both ways...
When you leave the car park at the Gallic village, there is indeed a sign indicating that you should turn right at the end of the road and follow the field, but it is poorly positioned and hidden by the grass...

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sofcool65
sofcool65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk was exactly as described. The signposting is excellent and very clear. Magnificent scenery with views of the Pyrenees. The walk presented no particular difficulties; we just encountered some mud on the Chemin des Violettes, so make sure you wear suitable footwear. A walk you can enjoy without any worries.

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chespeel
chespeel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route with lovely views of the Pyrenees and beautiful views of the Garonne, but too much tarmac for my liking

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geneviève crokaert
geneviève crokaert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike offering beautiful views of the snow-capped Pyrenees and the Garonne River, under blue skies and sunshine.
After a picnic on the banks of the Arize, we completed the Pisse Vinaigre circular route. Beautiful 360° panoramic views.
A total of 20 km.
The only beautiful day in a very rainy period, so some muddy sections, but manageable without risk.

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Clo31130
Clo31130

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in fine weather that day, very pleasant, with beautiful views at this time of year.
Be sure to visit the village and the cathedral when you arrive.

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Paul-Henri
Paul-Henri

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk in the countryside on easy paths.
Very well signposted.

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Mario66
Mario66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and enjoyable hike. We chose it because it had been raining for several days before our outing and most of the paths in the area are prone to mud. This one was dry, with the first 3 km (and the last few) passing through a pretty village, then along grassy paths. Several picnic spots.

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emmathena
emmathena

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

very nice route, varied with beautiful views, no difficulty. Worth doing again.

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fremau
fremau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
i enjoyed this hike on 7 June 2024. It was a sunny day, the trail was in good condition and there were no other hikers on 7 June. Highly recommended.

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SeveMorg
SeveMorg

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, but I wouldn't say it's THE walk to do. In summer, the Garonne is mostly hidden by foliage, which is frustrating ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
Fortunately, near the bridge halfway along the route, you can sit down by the water.

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fremau
fremau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
if you want to go on a beautiful, easy hike with stunning views, this is the one for you.

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, everyone.
We went hiking in beautiful weather today. The route was very pleasant and well marked, with beautiful views of the Ariège Pyrenees and the Volvestre valleys. A visit to the historic centre of Rieux is a must, either before or after the hike. Thank you for sharing.

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NTO
NTO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and well-marked hike. Thank you to the tourist office for the markings!

Don't hesitate to make a little detour to the café "Au P'tit Coffee" in Rieux-Volvestre. They serve delicious homemade cakes and pastries!

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Tourisme en Volvestre
Tourisme en Volvestre

Hello Hachail,

Thank you for your comment. We are delighted that you enjoyed the hike and the iconic village of Rieux-Volvestre!
Thank you also for your advice, which is very accurate. The municipality of Rieux-Volvestre offers a dozen varied and accessible hikes.
We wish you many more wonderful walks in the future!

The Volvestre Tourist Office

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