The hamlets, the Col de Mouzoules pass and the river Bavezon

5 points of interest

• 

  

  History

  Aumessas village

  Aumessas was called Ulmensacium in 1248, from Latin ulmus meaning elm.
  In 1769 1,300 inhabitants lived here (240 at the most recent census), the majority of them on the lower lands, below 600m. Their income was derived partly from chestnut growing but mostly from silk farming. On the eve of the French Revolution, 54 silk manufacturers made Aumessas their home. The other inhabitants were shepherds. They lived up in the mountains. The land belonged to the landed gentry, the middle classes or merchants.

• 

  

  Architecture

  Le Caladon hamlet

  The path passes pleasantly through treeless areas that let you admire Le Caladon, a village perched on a rocky spur. Caladon was called Calador in 1167, the final “n” being a recent addition that makes the name mean “flagstone for paving” in Occitan. The village stands on a dark and unusual rock: very hard schist (slate) with quartz inclusions, called quartzite. In the 11th century, the hamlet was overlooked by a castle belonging to the House of Roquefeuil. The Roquefeuil family had much power in the region and owned many castles. It is said that a tunnel linked the castle with the Col de Mouzoules pass...

• 

  

  History

  The mule tracks (Col de Mouzoules pass)

  Before roads were built, this track saw much traffic between Le Vigan and the Causses (limestone plateaux). Mule tracks were used by merchants going to fairs. They took wheat and products from livestock farms down into the valleys. When they returned, they brought chestnuts onto the plateau.

• 

  Agriculture

  Fruit growing

  In the early 20th century, as silk farming declined, the mulberry trees were no longer needed, and were replaced by plum trees around Aumessas. The golden age of fruit growing was from 1930 to 1965. On the train, the fruit was rapidly transported into town. M.M. remembers that “We grew lots of plums around Aumessas. In ‘30, we ripped up the mulberries and planted plum trees on the crop terraces. The men took care of the growing and harvesting, the women packed the fruit, that’s delicate work because plums are fragile. They have to be handled with care so you don’t damage the fine white wax that covers them. The women put them in rows in small baskets that nested within one another. The market eventually collapsed because bigger, more competitive farms and the entry of the country into the European Community meant that small family farms could no longer survive.”

• 

  

  Architecture

  The Catholic church and its bell-gable

  The church is remarkable for its bell-gable and has been a listed building since 15 February 1995. The bell bears the date of its casting: 1539. Like other bells, it used to ring the hour and summon the faithful to worship. But in the days of steam trains, it also warned locals of any fires started by escarbilles (small bits of coal). At the time, there were no firemen; the inhabitants were responsible for fighting fires. (bell visible in church).