LA CASTAGNAL GRANDO

Description

The River Orbiel has made its way from the plateau of Les Martys. From detours to cascades, it flows through the Roc du Bougre gorges, sculpting beautiful meanders along its bed. In Mas-Cabardès, there are two climatic influences: Oceanic and Mediterranean. The neighbourhoods boast beautiful half-timbered houses, the legacy of a rich past as cloth weavers. The distinctive ‘Tisserands’ (textile worker) cross catches the eye of lovers of old stonework, while the bell tower of Saint Étienne church captivates passers-by.

The cultivated terraces are no longer in use, even though they provided a livelihood for the people of this mid-mountain region. The great frosts wiped out the olive trees, which were then replaced by vines. On the opposite slope, the chestnut groves fared better, providing fruit, wood for building and warmth for the people. Have you ever smelled the delicate scent of chestnut blossom as summer begins? The bees are not mistaken: it’s to the chestnut that they flock.