SILENCE IS GOLD in AURIAC - Corbières Minervois Tourisme

AURIAC

IGN map reference (s): IGN 2347 East Arques

Getting to the starting point

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Step 1

From the car park on the D212, head south and take a slightly uphill path to the right, in the scrubland. It runs along old mines.

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Step 2

(cairn 1) Three hundred meters from the village on the north-eastern slope of Mont-Marcus in the middle of copses and holm oaks, the medieval mine of Gassotte known as the “Mont-Marcus” mine has been known since the Gallo period. Roman. In activity from the Middle Ages until the beginning of the XNUMXth century, barite, copper and silver were extracted from it. The ore sold at the Salsigne mine was processed there.

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Step 3

(cairn 2) According to engineer Vène, the disaffection of this mine (alt. 598 m) and the abandonment of the work would be due more to a lack of technical knowledge of the operator than to an absence of capital. In fact the veins very quickly became unusable.

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Step 4

The path follows the contour line in the tranquility of the undergrowth (cairn 3). By listening and observing we can surprise the fauna of the place. Ash and beech, Scots pines, holm oaks: we are here in the favorite biotope of wild boars.

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Step 5

Outlet (alt. 603 m) on the small road to Espéout; Take it uphill to the right and take the small path opposite (due east) at the level of the median. Go up to the Peyrièro greenhouse (alt. 695 m). In spring this area is dotted with orchids (protected, not to be picked). (cairn 4) On this site we find barite (natural barium sulphate) which we exploited on the Mieloubret until the 50s. Go down to an intersection.

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Step 6

To turn left. Slowly descend to the small road. Turn left down towards the old Lauradieu mine. (cairn 5) “In Laurio, there is Gold. To Lauradieu, the farewell Gold ”. Legends are attached to the supposed precious metal from this mine. But it was copper and silver that were mined there until 1854. A prehistoric gold ring is said to have been found in a nearby cave. Leave the small road and go towards the Lauradieu buildings on the right.

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Step 7

Go straight up to the left on the small steep path, on the side of the rock. It overlooks gorges. We can already make out the castle in the distance. Before arriving at the Laurio stream, you cross a wasteland dotted with heather and some wild fruit trees. (cairn 6) Gold has always been the dream of men, but no vein has ever been found in Auriac. It is nevertheless there, in the form of flakes mixed with alluvium from streams, in quartz or in other minerals. The toponymy of watercourses attests: Laurio, Lauriol, Orbieu. Hazel trees, ash trees, dogwoods gently lean over the banks of the Laurio where in spring grows wild lily of the valley. Arrival in the village. On the right, the tarred path climbs towards the castle. (cairn 7) Since the 212th and the beginning of the XNUMXth century, it has guarded the southern entrance to Termenès, between the Orbieu and Verdouble valleys. The towers, main building (XNUMXth century) bear witness to a “castle life” contrasting with the poverty of the town which has never been very populated. This luxury is undoubtedly due to the income of the mines. On the left: you join the D XNUMX.

SILENCE IS GOLDEN

Points of interest

Your itinerary

AURIAC

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Departure AURIAC

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