Saint-Pons hermitage

5 points of interest

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  History

  Le Rozier

  The village of Le Rozier (formerly called Entraygues, meaning between the waters) lies at the confluence of the Tarn and the Jonte. According to Philippe Chambon, “on 12 July 1075, Déodat de Canilhac, Raimond de Mostuéjouls and Bernat de Peirelau left to the abbey of Aniane the plots of land belonging to their respective seigneuries located where the current village stands”.

  For some, the name of the village comes from the name of the parcel of land on which the priory of Saint-Sauveur was built, the “Camp de Rosario”; for others, it has its origins in an Asian rose variety introduced and grown here by the monks (…)

  The human presence at the Le Rozier site is ancient: in the Gallo-Roman era, a pottery workshop existed at the confluence of the two rivers. Its ceramics were similar to those of Graufessenque (Millau). 

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  History

  Capluc

  Capluc was once a defensive and surveillance site, with a castle that (like many of the village’s houses) no longer exists. Some of the houses were renovated once a track suitable for motor vehicles was opened to the hamlet. The name Capluc is believed to come from cap and luz, meaning head and light, thus symbolising the place illuminated by the first rays of the rising sun.

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  Flora

  An adapted flora

  As Jean-Paul Salasse explains, “Rocks are highly selective environments: no soil, strong sun exposure, drought, often violent winds, vast temperature differences between day and night and summer and winter. That is why montane or alpine plants establish themselves here, even at low altitudes, having managed to adapt to these difficult conditions : solid roots, often fleshy leaves, large flowers” (Guide Gallimard, Parc national des Cévennes).

  You may see certain bird species (golden eagle, blue rock thrush, wallcreeper, etc.) and plant species (Pyrenean bellflower, daphne alpina, alpine balsam) that are perfectly adapted to this peculiar and very specific environment.

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  History

  Hermitage Saint-Pons

  It is highly likely that the word “hermitage” is not a correct description of Saint-Pons. These few stretches of wall rather indicate a fortified keep, built in the Middle Ages. They were legion throughout the Tarn and Jonte gorges. Since myths die hard, a pilgrimage was organised until the early 20th century to heal deformed children.

  Despite the wear and tear of time, you can see walls made from shaped stone, a doorway with a recessed arch on piers and two small windows.

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  Agriculture

  Capluc and its terraces

  As you leave Capluc, you become aware of how the site, which at first sight seems barren, has in fact been shaped by humans. All of this south-facing slope, which is protected by the tall dolomite cliffs, was farmed using terraces (grains, fruit trees, grapevines). Temperatures are so favourable that the most southern Mediterranean vegetation of the region grows here (narrow-leaved ash, jasmine, Montpellier maple, holm oak, etc.).