Naurouze and the hillsides in a circular route starting from Avignonet-Lauragais

Start from the post office – town hall complex with several parking options (front and rear).

(S/E) Walk up Rue de la Porte de Cers following the yellow markings whilst scanning the house facades to spot sundials and remarkable little niches.

(1) Once you reach the Tour en Poivrière and its knight, leave the yellow markings for a moment to climb up to the forecourt of the church of Notre-Dame des Miracles. But before exploring the church, cross the forecourt to find the iron sculpture of the Pilgrim of Santiago.

(2) Avignonet is indeed on the Arles Way, which leads to Toulouse and then Oloron before continuing into Spain. Return to the church of Notre-Dame des Miracles.

(3) This impressively large church is open to visitors and well worth a visit for the ‘curious’, as every nook and cranny has been magnificently restored.
Behind the church, continue along Rue des Curatiers (with a view of the Avignonet wind turbines installed in 2002) then head down Rue des Bonnetiers to rejoin the yellow markings and, at the bottom, those of^{the GR®} de Compostelle (red and white).

Thanks to the^GR® markings, the route is now clear along the Chemin de Cantaranne, then right onto the Chemin de Metches-Hautes, which climbs up to the hamlet of Montferrand. After the old mill, the Chemin des Remparts leads to the orientation table.

(4) Enjoy a superb panorama of the Lauragais valley, the Canal du Midi, Port Lauragais and the snow-capped Pyrenees. Next to it, the anemometer stands guard at the entrance to the village centre, followed by a white statue of Christ, behind which nestles the Chapel of the Holy Trinity – a must-see! A magnificent and surprising spot at the heart of this cluster of beautifully restored stone houses, with the Fortified Gate still protecting this haven of peace.
Reaching the Fortified Gate

(5) Opposite this gate, the old church has been converted into a private residence.
Head down to the left to discover the medieval well and the old ramparts via an ancient cobbled path. At the first houses, turn left and continue downhill, taking the Chemin des Coustous, then the Rue de la Barbacane and the Chemin de Saint-Pierre. You’ll reach the church and its cemetery.

(6) This is an archaeological excavation site featuring Peyre Clouque (closed), the statue of Saint Peter, various statues and plaques, and the Church of Saint-Pierre d’Alzonne (closed – has Saint Peter lost the keys?).
Continue downhill, cross the D6113 and reach the Canal du Midi. Continue left along the towpath to reach the Écluse de l’Océan.

(7) Continue straight on, temporarily leaving the^GR® markings, to reach the entrance to the Seuil de Naurouze. Cross the bridge, which is flanked by a magnificent avenue of plane trees, at the end of which stands the head of Louis XIV (in theory, as there is no mention of it; not to be confused with that of the Statue of Liberty!)
Turn left then right to climb up to the Riquet Obelisk.

(8) The gates are closed, so you’ll have to make do with walking around them before heading back down to the old flour mill and the Head of Louis XIV. Turn right at the pumping station towards the watershed.

(9) The waters of the Rigole, via the Seuil de Naurouze, feed the Canal du Midi at its highest point (Atlantic-Toulouse / Mediterranean-Sète).
Return to the Écluse de l'Océan.

(7) Cross it and take the^GR® on the left along the canal. Pass opposite the water divide and take care, as the route, about 200 m after the divide, leaves the^GR® to climb the small embankment on the right and follow yellow markings; this is the Restitution junction of the Canal du Midi.

(10) Immediately head back down opposite this climb (do not take the paths to the left or right). A track opens up which you must follow to the right until you reach a small road. Turn left onto this and follow it to cross the railway tracks and the motorway

(11) Cross the Fresquel (river) – a tributary of the Aude – and at the road, turn left for about 150 m before turning right towards Barbette.
As soon as you reach the first climb, follow the path that opens up to the left; it’s very pleasant and climbs at a steady gradient until you reach a grassy track.

(12) Turn right, pass a first small pass and, at the fork at the edge of the woods, turn left. After an iron cross, reach a second small pass with a four-way junction. The view of the Pyrenees is magnificent.

(13) Head left and go downhill. At the bottom of the valley, do not turn left towards La Goutille; instead, head back up to a crossroad.

(14) Turn right, cross Brougues and head downhill; after a fork on the right along a hedge, continue to the campsite at the natural area next to the Canal du Midi.

(15) Turn left then right to cross the Emborrel Lock.

(16) Continue along the road to the level crossing. Do not cross it; take the track on the right and, 150 m after the paintball site, turn left through the underpass beneath the tracks. Head back up towards the centre of Avignonet. Once you reach the A-road, turn left then right to return to the post office and town hall complex (S/E).

Alternative
Option to avoid roads by returning along the Canal du Midi between the Écluses de l’Océan (7) and the Écluse d’Emborrel (16).

Option
We have chosen to ignore the yellow markings at the Tour en Poivrière and head straight up to the left towards the Pèlerin de Saint-Jacques and the Church of Notre-Dame des Miracles. But of course, you can follow these markings, pass by the old ramparts and admire these wonders on the way back.

Signposting
Tip: follow the GPS tracks closely.
From Avignonet (except for deviations at the Pèlerin and the church) to the Canal du Midi: Yellow, and from the exit of Avignonet, Red and White.
Canal du Midi:^GR® (Red and White).
Naurouze weir: no markings.
From the Écluse de l’Océan to the Écluse d’Emborrel via the hillsides, then Avignonet: Yellow

Picnic tables
Montferrand (one), at the Naurouze weir.

Avignonet:
La Tour en Poivrière.
The Pilgrim of Santiago de Compostela.
The Church of Notre-Dame des Miracles.

Montferrand:
Orientation board.
The anemometer
Chapel of the Holy Trinity
Fortified gate.
The site of Saint-Pierre d'Alzonne.

The Naurouze weir:
The Canal du Midi
Riquet’s Obelisk
The Water Divider
The Ocean Locks and (much further on) the Emborrel Lock.