The Curbans slate tiles

Park at the Curbans cemetery.

(S/E) Set off from the Curbans cemetery, wade across the stream and continue to the first junction.

(1) The path descends into a small, shaded valley and runs alongside a stream (dry depending on the season). When it climbs back up and exits the valley, turn right. Head towards and cross the Gravas neighbourhood and the Riou des Mioux housing estate until you reach the main road (Le Riou des Mioux) (see alternative route in the practical information).

(2) Once on the main road of the housing estate, turn left then take the first right (Rue du Torrent). Go to the end of the street and continue along the track leading to Touroundet. Ford the Riou des Mious.

(3) At the Touroundet junction (signpost), continue straight on. A little further on, do not take the path on the left (return route), but continue straight on along the track (Caution: numerous tracks branching off on either side lead into the fields). The track then becomes a road leading to the hamlet of Curnerie. At the three-way junction (at the first houses in Basse Curnerie), take the road that climbs to the left.

(4) Shortly after the electricity substation (on the right), turn left in a 180° turn. Pass two garages (on the right) and continue straight ahead. The path climbs quite steeply. Continue climbing along the ridge (Pied Guérin) until you descend slightly onto the tarmac road.

(5) Take the road, heading straight up towards the solar panels. Continue for 1.5 km along this tarmac road through the electrical installations to the summit. Pass by a war memorial to the Maquis fighters (on the right). Continue along this road for about 150 m.

.(6) When the road bends to the right, take the dirt track that goes straight on and alternates with sections of footpath (cairn). Leave the track that climbs to the left and take the path that descends straight ahead. Walk down the path over the slate slabs (be careful! It can be slippery when it rains).

(3) Return to the dirt track taken on the way out (at a place called Touroundet). Turn right and follow the route back in the opposite direction to the housing estate and then on to the Curbans cemetery (S/E).

Road access: head to Curbans via the D4 and park at the cemetery, or go to the Riou des Mioux housing estate (shorter alternative).

The route is marked with yellow lines (^PR®).

Water point near the war memorial to the Maquis fighters (but a sign indicates “Water not drinkable”).

Alternative route to shorten the walk:
You can also start from the end of the Riou des Mioux housing estate: set off from Rue du Torrent and follow the track leading to Touroundet. This reduces the duration by about forty minutes.

The Curbans Photovoltaic Park:
Commissioned in August 2011 (after 18 months of construction), it comprises 42 hectares of panels capable of generating up to 33 million kWh, equivalent to the consumption of 10,500 households. Over 100,000 photovoltaic panels installed by hand.
It is the sheep of Curbans that maintain the site when summer comes.

War memorial to the Maquis fighters.
The Col de Blaux Maquis was established in September 1943 by Cavigni (Roberge), Louis Petit de Mison, Yves Fecour, a forest ranger, and Denis Lagarde du Caire. Command was held by Henri Sylvi.
Sadly, the Maquis fighters were captured at the ‘Estornel’ house during the night of 11–12 December 1943. It was blown up by the Germans on 12 December 1943 at around 11.30 am.
Eleven of the fourteen resistance fighters were shot by the Nazis on 31 March 1944.
A monument was erected in memory of the martyrs of Camp Robespierre and was unveiled on 19 July 2007. On this occasion, Colonel L. Kolodziej, commander of the^4th Chasseurs Regiment, and his troops paid tribute to the resistance fighters.