The Windy Hills of Avignonet-Lauragais in Fanjeaux

A spectacular and iconic 48.2 km online route through the Lauragais region, the "Collines du Vent" (Windy Hills) connect Avignonet-Lauragais and Fanjeaux. Numerous windmills are dotted across these first hills of the Piège, taking advantage of the generous winds that blow alternately from the Mediterranean (the autan or marin) and the Atlantic (the cers). The view stretches far beyond the hills to the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire. Eleven information panels provide details about the local heritage.

Yellow and blue markings
Please note: follow the yellow and pink markings (those of the Tour de Lauragais) from Laurac to Fanjeaux.

Details

47325169
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 47.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 980 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 819 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 391 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 177 m

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. E

Notes

Parking: you can leave your car at the start, near the campsite, and at the finish, on the side of the road near the antenna, and access via Mas-Saintes-Puelles.

- In Villeneuve-la-Comptal on the route: public toilets behind the village hall.
- In Fendeille at the finish: picnic tables and car park next to the village hall + bakery, picnic tables and car park at the village hall.
- In Mireval-Lauragais: toilets and water point in front of thesecond medieval gate.
- In Laurabuc: café-grocery store.
- In Laurac: water point next to the war memorial.
- In Villasavary, water point at the stadium and public toilets. In the village, butcher's, grocery store, chemist's and bakery.
- In Fanjeaux: grocery store, restaurant, bakery, pharmacy.

Worth a visit

Points of interest along the way and nearby:
- The ancient fortified villages of Avignonet-Lauragais and Montferrand.
- The castles of Baraigne and Molleville.
- The old mill of "Moulin Neuf".
- Lake Ganguise.
- The structures on the Canal du Midi, including the Marvail bridge and the Océan lock.
- The Naurouze site, the highest point on the Canal du Midi, where the waters flowing down from the Montagne Noire are distributed via the Rigole, which feeds the canal.
- Port Lauragais (free access via the car park overlooking the RD): permanent exhibition on Pierre Paul Riquet.
- The hill where Clément Ader tested his prototype aeroplane: this episode in scientific history is explained on an educational panel and an orientation table provides information about the panorama.
- In the village of Villeneuve-la-Comptal: church.
- Reconstructed mill above the village of Villeneuve-la-Comptal.
- Numerous panoramic views from the high points of the particularly spectacular ridge line.
- In Fendeille: castle grounds offering a beautiful place to walk and admire the trees, a medieval tower and a castle rebuilt in the 18th century, which now houses the village school.
- In Fendeille: 18th-century castle and medieval keep.
- In Mirevail-Lauragais: two medieval gateways to the old fortified village, square dovecote with half-timbered walls, 500 metres away.
- In Laurabuc: Romanesque church with 19th-century bell tower and old medieval gate.
- In Laurac: well-preserved old fortified village, typical narrow streets and beautiful stone houses.

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.

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.