Rougeanne (rivière) walks

This is an easy hike, sheltered from the sun for 90% of the route. The hike can be done in either direction. You will be better sheltered from the sun if you follow the directions given here.

A lovely little walk from the Bassin de Saint-Denis to the Prise Alzeau and back along the stream.

A refreshing walk in the Montagne Noire from the small village of Lacombe (11310) to the Ramondens national forest (Tarn) with a picnic stop near the retaining dyke of the St-Denis basin. Return via the right bank of the Alzeau and passage at the Prise d'Alzeau, source of the Canal du Midi, before climbing back up to Lacombe. Walk checked on 18/06/23. A few details have been added by the author

A ten-kilometre hike that winds through forests and fields. There are some beautiful properties to see, and above all, the village of Montolieu is worth a visit.

Half of the hike is under the trees and half is in the heath.

The walk is always in the shade and sheltered by very large beech and oak trees. There is practically no elevation gain as you follow the water.

A short, easy walk, sheltered for half the route.

The Rigole de la Montagne again. But this time you won’t be walking alongside it. You’ll go round it on a route that’s shaded all the way. The return along the road is a bit long, but you can walk on the verges if you don’t like tarmac.

A pleasant walk through woodland and fields. The lake and the Bès reservoir prove, if proof were needed, that the Montagne Noire is like a sponge. Pierre-Paul Riquet was spot on when he created the Rigole, which feeds the Canal du Midi.

360 years ago, Pierre Paul Riquet had the trial trench for the Canal du Midi dug. The official purpose of this small diversion canal was to prove that large quantities of water could be brought from the Montagne Noire to the Naurouze threshold, where the planned navigation canal would have its "dividing point", its highest watercourse. However, for Riquet, the stakes were much higher: he also wanted to prove that he was fully capable of managing a project as large as the gigantic structure he had planned. To convince Colbert and the commission responsible for examining the feasibility of the project, he offered to finance the test canal himself and only be reimbursed if the objectives were achieved... Theoutcome proved this stubborn man right! This walk takes you on a journey of discovery to find traces of this "Rigole d'Essai" in the Alzeau valley, starting from the village of Lacombe. Parking is available opposite the town hall.