Les Fontaines, circuit n°4 autour de Najac
Route details
Description
Essential to village life, the fountains were fed by drainage water from the Terre Rouge – La Planquette plateau. They are called griffouls.
The first fountain was built in 1344 in the Bourguet district. This is sculpted from a single block of granite. We can find the figures of the former consuls and the bishop there. It remained in use until the beginning of the 20th century.
Your itinerary
Stage 1: Departure from Najac
Possibility of parking in the Sol del Barry parking lot where the postal agency is located.
Departure from Place du Faubourg in Najac.
Walk along the Place du Faubourg, pass in front of the Tourist Office and continue to the grocery store 50 meters further on the left. Go around the grocery store on the left, go down the steps and walk past the houses and gardens along the magnificent “Roc de Cabusse” walkway. (EXCEPTIONAL CLOSURE FOR A FEW WEEKS OF THE ROUND PATH – TAKE RUE DU BARRIOU TO RUE DU BOURGUET).
Go down to rue de la Loge, then turn right. At the intersection, turn left into rue du Bourguet, then a little further on again (at the parking spaces) turn left into the small street which goes down rue de la Portète to join rue Basse des Comtes de Toulouse. Then turn left onto rue du Portail de Maffre. Leave the fountain on your left, arriving on a road which is avenue de la gare.
Stage 2: Towards the Gabanel fountain
Cross this road, the D39 (be careful of traffic, no pedestrian crossing). Just opposite take the path on the left which goes down towards the Gabanel fountain.
When you arrive at the bottom, cross the pretty stone bridge which spans the Vernhe stream and take the path opposite that goes up. Do not take the path which goes down to the right along the stream.
The climb is quite steep. In a bend you will be able to observe an old barn. Continue this fairly steep climb and do not take the 1st path which goes on your right but take the 2nd path on your right after passing a few fir trees.
Continue to climb until the intersection of 3 paths (1 track opposite, 1 track on the left and 1 path on the right).
Step 3: Najac's point of view
Take the wide path on your left then quickly leave this wide path to take the path on the left which goes down steeply.
Arriving at an intersection where a small path goes off to your left and to your right you can observe another source on the ground. Then continue straight on the paved path. The path then passes above the Vernhe stream. On this section, you will have a very beautiful view of the village of Najac on the left. You will then reach the road.
Step 4: Fountain in the middle of the forest
Take the road going up to the left for 300 meters towards Villefranche de Rouergue – La Fouillade to reach the village.
Arriving on the square, at the hairpin bend, turn right towards the gendarmerie and Villefranche de Rouergue.
Possible variant:
You can stop there and reach Place du Faubourg on your left.
Just opposite the gendarmerie, leave the road by turning left into the small rue du Sol de la Dime which leads to the square of the same name then onto a path which goes opposite and goes down.
At the next intersection, turn left to return to the village. This will allow you to discover a very beautiful fountain: the Alby fountain.
Step 5: End of the circuit
Arriving at a car park, turn on your left onto rue de l'Hiversenq.
After 50 meters, turn right and take a narrow alley (alleyway) which goes up and will take you to the heart of the village, Place du Faubourg, from where you started.
Back to the starting point.