Les Vailhes. Lac du Salagou, Languedoc.

Les Vailhes. Lac du Salagou. 3km 1H. Very easy. There are a number of walks that you can enjoy at the lake; some long and some short. Today we had a rather enthusiastic two year old trainee with us so a shorter walk was needed with a picnic along the shore, lots of stone throwing and flower sniffing(but not the cactus!).

We walked from the car park near the camp site along the shore on the yellow route and then up to the 10th century ; La chapelle Notre-Dame de Clans on the bike route (yellow bike markers). Turning left onto the track after viewing the chapel. 

This track joins the middle track and then reaches the village of Les Vailhes where you turn left and onto the little road that passes through the hamlet (yellow markers again). The track descends to join the lower path once again and back to the car park. It's a nice short version for those with small children or don't want to walk too far. Otherwise this is the normal route. 

Les Vailhes. Lac du Salagou. 3h30 10km. Medium length with one short climb. Starting from the large car park at Les Vailhes you follow the little path along the edge of the lake. It's a little up and down be not difficult. Lovely views across the lake all the way. Finally you get to the end of the lake, not too far from the dam, here you turn left up the hill with a fairly steep path of little stone steeps. At the top take the path to the left again and keep on this until you get to a junction. Here take the middle path. (The lower one goes back to the lake near the village and the blue path goes up and over the hill on another circular route). Keep on the yellow route with lovely views from this high spot. 

Finally the path turns left when it joins the blue path again and goes down to the village of Les Vailhes. Go to the left and then down the little road to the village. After passing through the village you come to a small gate leading back to the lake. When you join the lakeside path again turn right back to the car park.

A fascinating little wander through the village of Celles. On the banks of Lac du Salagou. The valley having been purchased in the 1960's to create a new water source for agriculture in the area was filled over a number of years until the little hamlet of Celles submerged and abandoned. Some years later it was agreed to lessen the height of the lake and now the little hamlet is coming to life once again.

La chapelle Notre-Dame de Clans. Lac du Salagou. 

The 10th century chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and situated near the bottom of the plateau.The name Clands comes from the bells that rang on the heards that grazed near the chapel. It has a curious legend which tells of a wealthy lady who was traveling with an old mule to Mass on August 15th to the church in Celles. 

The mule knew the way and was jingling his bells to a local tune at every step. To get the ceremony you had to cross the river Salagou but there was a problem. A violent storm had picked up and suddenly the water grow higher. The lady took fright and began to pray the Holy Virgin. She promised to build a chapel on the slopes of the plateau the Auverne if they were saved. 

The mule added that if they were saved it would give to the tower "clans" around his neck. And from the chapel his bells (Clans) watch over the plain of Salagou.

It's an interesting old building with beautiful views. Well worth a visit if you are up there.