Clap, clap, clop…
G.Salat - CC HCC
Saint-Exupéry-les-Roches

Clap, clap, clop…

Heritage site and architecture
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A circuit rich in history with pretty little paths to follow
Before leaving, make a detour through an old clog factory and then set off in good, strong shoes to discover the panoramic views of the Sancy massif, the Diège river, the Château de la Gane and the architectural heritage and curiosities of the village of Saint-Exupéry.

9 points of interest

  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Panorama

    Le Massif du Sancy

    The small path as you leave the village offers a remarkable view of the highest volcano in mainland France, the Puy de Sancy. At 1885 metres above sea level, this summit is the highest point of the Massif Central. The two streams, the Dore and the Dogne, originate there, and their confluence forms the Dordogne. On the way back from the hike, on the road to Ussel, the site of Les Roches also offers a beautiful 360 ° panorama of the Monts d'Auvergne and the Limousin Mountain.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Small patrimony

    Village of Fumarettas

    The villages of Limousin were all strongly involved in agriculture. Walking through these hamlets always produces interesting discoveries during a hike: barns, mansions, crosses and monuments, traditional local architecture... In Fumarettas, don't miss the old bread oven and the spring a little after the village.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Panorama

    The Plateau of Millevaches

    From the village of Le Breuil, there is a panoramic view of the Plateau de Millevaches. This granite massif which peaks at 976 metres at Mont Bessou clearly takes its name not from the herds of cattle but rather from the many springs which originate there.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    River

    The river Diège

    Although the old mill, which was, as you might imagine, once important, no longer grinds anything, the Diège continues its work of polishing the large blocks of granite which are called "compayres". This valley is classified as a Natural Zone of Fauna and Flora Interest, and its wild and preserved character allows it to welcome the otter in particular.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Panorama

    The Cantal Mountains

    This hike offers a magnificent view of the Monts du Cantal. This massif is, in fact, the remnant of a stratovolcano born 13 million years ago, the largest in Europe, eroded by collapse and glacial erosion. Note a little further on the summit after the village of Pailler and the view of the Sancy and the Cantal.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Heritage site

    The Château de la Gane

    Thanks to the owner's agreement, this route gives access to the park of Château de la Gane. Please stay on the main path and do not enter the courtyard.
    The two oldest elements (late 15th - early 16th century), the round tower and the main building, were connected by a porch-gallery in the 19th century. The Etang de la Gane, the pond at the park entrance, and the Sancy highlight the buildings' beautiful architecture.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Small patrimony

    The Saint-Maurice spring

    Beyond its domestic use, water has had symbolic and spiritual values attributed to it. You can imagine the questions that the sources raise: the water seems to come out of the ground for no reason. Many sources are linked to healing virtues and are called in Limousin the Good Fountains. The Saint-Maurice fountain had the reputation of curing lepers from a leper colony which in the 15th century was located nearby.
  • G.Salat - CC HCC
    Heritage site

    The Church

    You will certainly be surprised by the style of the church of St-Exupéry which contrasts with the Romanesque churches of Haute-Corrèze, characterised by a bell-tower-wall.
    Originally, the church, in classical Romanesque style, was part of a fortified enclosure with the enclosing walls of a property where a château, now destroyed, stood.
    In poor condition, certainly as a reminder of the château's existence, two turrets and battlements were added during the church restoration completed in 1880.
  • CC HCC
    Heritage site

    Saint-Exupéry

    Arriving in St-Exupéry via Ussel, take note on the left of a group of large buildings. This is the former Dalègre and Malsoute clog factory. Clog manufacture was a Corrèze tradition, and the company industrialised it until, at the beginning of the 20th century, it became one of the largest clog factories in France. Competition from rubber boots in the 1950s put a brutal stop to production. The name of this hike is a nod to the sound of wooden clogs on the ground.

Description

At the start, head towards the airfield. Before the church, follow the path on the right between the houses.
  1. Cross the road. Stay straight ahead on the path, crossing a trail (to the left, for circuit 1) then a track.
  2. Turn left at the road. As you leave the village, take the track on the right (straight on for circuit 2) for 200 m. then take the trail to the right. At the road turn to the right, and then, on the left, the track goes up to Fumarettas.
  3. After the house, there is a trail to the left (further on, take a round trip to the spring). At the road, go right (go left for circuit 3)  then left at Le Breuil. Follow the road, leaving several roads on the left.
  4. At the T-junction, turn left towards Le Martinet. 100 m. further on, turn right on the downhill track. 200 m. before the Diège (you can make a return trip to the river), turn left onto the steep trail. At the top go right then left to get to Le Chassang.
  5. Go right in the village. At the junction with the track, turn right. Stay on the main path. At the corner of a meadow, turn left to go back up to the road. Follow it for 400 m. then turn right towards Charlus.
  6. Take the track on the left at the end of the village  and follow the markings carefully. Take the second road on the right near a plantation. Go straight on at the next crossroads; go down towards a meadow and then the main path rejoins the road. Turn right to Pailler.
  7. As you arrive there, on the left  the road becomes a trail; go through the meadow. Go straight ahead to the track. Follow it to the right; return to the road.
  8. Follow it to the left. Enter the château park, pass in front of it, and continue. Take the road on the left, leaving the road "towards 979"; continue for 200 m. and turn right onto the road which becomes a track. Turn right onto the road; ignore the road towards Maurianjoune.
  9. Leave the road and take the track on the left. Go straight ahead; go through les Fougères and rejoin the departmental road.
  10. Go left  then, at the top, turn to the right on the track.
  11. At the crossroads, take the track on the left. Before the shed, go left: the trail rises towards St-Ex. Turn right on Rue de la Fontaine. Go left towards the church.
  • Departure : The square, St-Exupéry
  • Arrival : The square, St-Exupéry
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Exupéry-les-Roches and Saint-Victour

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Recommandations

This circuit is the complete loop of the Clap, Clap, Clop circuit which has an intermediate variant (9 km) and two family circuits. The 4 circuits are the subject of 4 separate descriptive sheets.

Information desks

Rue Saint-Martin, 19200 Ussel

https://www.tourisme-hautecorreze.fr/05 19 60 00 30

Access and parking

From Ussel, follow the D45 towards Bort - St-Exupéry and then the D138 to reach St-Exupéry

Parking :

The square, St-Exupéry

More information


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