Roc des Hourtous

11 points of interest

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  History

  The boatmen of La Malène

  “La Malène” means “bad hole”... But for several decades now, it has been more accurate to call it a little jewel that delights tourists. What is its secret? Using the boats which were once strictly utilitarian, back in the days when the Tarn was a transport and trade route! On 29 December 1952, the Cooperative Society of Boatmen of the Gorges du Tarn was officially created. In 1985, the Cooperative became a Worker Cooperative. Once on the water, the boatmen will help you discover sites that can only be seen and approached by boat, such as La Momie Cave, or the Woman with a Parasolrock formation above La Croze. That's at least two good reasons to treat yourself to this journey by water accompanied by the boatmen of La Malène.

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  Architecture

  Rieisse

  "On the square in the hamlet of Rieisse, you'll be able to admire a communal oven. The gable of the house right next to it has gutters which lead into a former cistern inside. All the rainwater from the roof converged on this tank, inside the kitchen, via gutters that were made first of wood and later of zinc. The cistern has a depth of 2 to 5 m and a capacity of 10,000 to 30,000 litres. When the foundations of the sheepfold were dug, Roman pottery for keeping resin was found. Indeed, whenever pine trees were felled, the resin was extracted and sent to the coast, where it was used to caulk boats. (M.P Leroy-Delmer)

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  Fauna

  Black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

  A hyperactive on its perch. With its long pointed wings, it flutters very rapidly, swallowing insects in the process. It has difficulty hiding its agitation as it perches in well-exposed places, rapidly flexing its legs and moving its tail as if it has the hiccups.

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  History

  Hourtous

  "Hourtous means 'small gardens' In Occitan. This cliff promontory is a private and designed space, and displays the Occitan cross. Let your eyes be drawn down the 400 m plunge to the narrows and then westwards to the Cirque des Baumes topped by the Sublime Point. At mid-slope you can make out the profile of the Woman with a Parasol and her Court, famous dolomite rock formations.” (M.P Leroy-Delmer)

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  Fauna

  Common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

  The cheerful idler. When it is not dashing about on the ground looking for insects and seeds, it flutters, displaying white stripes on its wings and tail. You often hear it make a short and clear “pink pink”, but it also sings short, well-rounded notes.

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  Fauna

  Common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

  The money-changer. Its nickname comes from its song consisting of three metallic notes. At feeding time, this volatile stirrer makes a series of short outings, with a fondness for stationary flight. It won’t shy away from swallowing insects just above the surface of the water either.

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  Fauna

  Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

  The charming crow. This dandy in its black dinner jacket stands out due to its curious curved red bill and its proud and noble look. Slipping gracefully in between cliffs using its primary flight feathers, it seems to wear gloves at the tips of its wings.

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  Fauna

  Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

  The little chubby one. Despite being a featherweight, it is respected for its piercing call. It often starts songs in flight and continues after landing. To feed, this resourceful little bird moves through thickets, rummaging like a mouse.

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  Fauna

  Black tit (Periparus ater)

  The tit without a tie. Within the tit family, it is difficult to distinguish from the great tit. Though it has neither vivid colours nor a “tie”, its loud fluted call makes it as cheerful as the rest of its family.
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  History

  Chapel

  "300 m  from the  hamlet, the ruins of the Château de Planiol dominate a flat area (planiol) of the river, which is 8 m deep here. Then the Romanesque 12th century chapel appears, probably built on the site of a Carolingian oratory. An 'expiatory chapel' has been added, which contains the remains of the martyrs of La Malène. Another chapel is occupied by the Virgin Mary standing in a boat. It is brought out every May for the boatmen's pilgrimage. As for the bridge, it was built in 1856 in the place of a former ford crossed by the Esperelle draille (path for seasonal livestock migration). Because of its scant height, it did not survive the devastating floods of 1875 and 1900.” (M.P Leroy-Delmer)

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  History

  Little anecdote

  "Traditionally, a hillclimbing race is held in this small town on the first Sunday in July. The first races were goat races. Marthe marshalled her goats at the bridge, climbed the slope of La Canourgue by herself and then called to them from up there. The goats ran to her. The winner was rewarded with a fragrant bouquet of bartas (box)." (M.P Leroy-Delmer)