Les Rouquis
Yellow waymarksThe path climbs into the chestnut and holm oak grove. Steps carved into the granite bedrock bear witness to its regular use. The hamlet of La Rouviérette, located on the draille (drovers’ road), is a stopover place for transhumant shepherds going up onto summer pastures with their sheep. Up there, the views over the surroundings slopes are panoramic.
4 points of interest
Le village - Michel Monnot 
HistorySt-André de Majencoules
With agricultural decline, the village’s population has dropped sharply: 561 inhabitants in 2000 compared to 1,506 in 1913. In those days, the village had about 40 artisans and shopkeepers, including two blacksmiths, six shoemakers, four tailors, three hairdressers and eight grocers.
You will notice that the village is built on a rocky spur above the river, a strategic position which makes it possible to survey the valley but also to use water for crops. Near the village are terraces planted with mild onions.
La filature - Michel Monnot HistoryWater and the spinning-mill
How strange to have a spinning-mill at the top of the village!
Usually, this kind of building is erected alongside a waterway. But here, a powerful spring is tapped using a béal (irrigation channel), which takes the water to the mill. The precious water is stored in gourgues (basins or pools) above the building, making it possible to regulate the quantity of water used to drive the spinning-mill.
Intérieur de la filature - Beatrice Galzin HistoryThe spinning-mill
The spinning-mill was built out of shaped blocks of granite in 1825, under the supervision of the architect Victor Chapot of Le Vigan and its owner M. Durand.
On the ground floor were the (GENSOUL type) furnace, the ovens [for asphyxiating the silkworms using hot air], the vast wood stores and the stables and yards for the horses.
On the first floor was the spinners’ workshop with its 54 circular terra cotta bassins (still visible) and rows of swifts (reels) that have since disappeared.
The top floor was home to the nursery, the storage area for the silk cocoons.
The silkworm disease pébrine (1856), the opening of the Suez Canal (1869), artificial silk (1884) and the owner’s death put an end to this beautiful adventure.
Naissance de la fougère aigle - PNC 
FloraBracken
Since the abandonment of the chestnut orchard, the bracken, which was once cut and used as litter and fodder for animals, has spread. Some locals still remember that bracken fronds were given to pigs to eat with water and flour.
Description
Signposts will guide you all along this route. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks:
From the car park in "Saint- André-de-Majencoules", walk towards "La Rouviérette" via "Les Buis".
- At "La Rouvièrette" walk through the hamlet and continue to "Les Suels".
- At “Les Suels” leave the path on your right and continue to “Le Rouquis”.
- At “Le Rouquis” leave the GR® long-distance path and head to "Saint- André-de-Majencoules".
- The fork left to return to the village.
- Departure : Saint- André-de-Majencoules
- Arrival : Saint- André-de-Majencoules
- Towns crossed : Saint-André-de-Majencoules
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Somewhat steep descent. Before committing yourself to this walk, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water.
Information desks
Tourism & national parc'house
Col de la Serreyrède, 30570 Val d'Aigoual
The Maison de l'Aigoual houses the tourism office Mont Aigoual Causses Cévennes and the Maison du Parc national. This visitor centre provides information on and raises awareness of the Cévennes National Park, its sites and events as well as the rules that must be observed in the National Park's central zone.
On site: changing exhibitions, video projections, Festival Nature events and shop Open year-round
Tourism office Mont Aigoual Causses Cévennes, Valleraugue
7 quartier des Horts, 30570 Valleraugue
This office is part of the National Park's associated tourist-information network, whose mission is to provide information on, and raise awareness of, the sites and events as well as the rules that must be observed in the National Park's central zone. : Open year-round
Transport
LiO is the regional public transport service of the Occitanie/ Pyrénées – Méditerranée region. It facilitates everyone’s movements by prioritising public transport.
(during school time)
Access and parking
At Pont de l’Hérault, take the D986 towards Valleraugue, then the D420 to the village of Saint-André-de-Majencoules
Parking :
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