Brusque combines a challenging hike along the Dourdou with trout fishing and traces of religious and medieval history. This gives you a choice of different themes when planning a stay: the Sentier des Crêtes et de la Vallée du Dourdou is rated very difficult, while fishing is subject to seasonal rules. Churches, chapels and the Grotte Notre-Dame add further insights into the town’s history to the activities by the river.
Hiking the Sentier des Crêtes et de la Vallée du Dourdou
The route is 17.26 kilometres long and is estimated to take five hours; the total ascent is 808 metres. It is rated “very difficult.” The trail runs through woodland along the Dourdou and follows valley and ridge paths, including a river crossing. Its length, elevation gain and difficulty rating provide a clear basis for deciding how to fit the hike into your travel plans.
The start and finish are at Place de l'Ă©glise in Brusque. The route also includes a there-and-back detour to the summit of Merdelou, which stands at an altitude of 1,100 metres. The trail therefore combines sections along the Dourdou with valley and ridge paths, as well as a summit destination. Take the stated duration and very difficult rating into account when choosing this hike for your stay; route information may be updated and trail conditions can vary.
Fishing on the Dourdou: season and catch-and-release rules
Fishing on the Dourdou de Camarès near Brusque is possible from the second Saturday in March to the third Sunday in September. The river is classified as a first-category fishing water. Possible fishing methods include fly fishing, toc fishing and fishing for trout with artificial lures. The season specifies when fishing is possible on the Dourdou near Brusque; the catch-and-release rule, by contrast, applies to a specific stretch of trout water.
This stretch is upstream, is one kilometre long and runs from Pont de CĂ©ras to Ruisseau de Limbriac. All trout caught there must be released. Check the current fishing rules before travelling, as seasonal regulations can change. This helps distinguish the fishing season from the specific rule for this section of the river.
Chapels, churches and local history
The restored Chapelle St Thomas is in the forest and is a shrine commemorating Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. According to tradition, he is said to have stayed there as a hermit in the 12th century. Frescoes depict scenes from the saint’s life. The chapel is freely accessible, although local conditions may affect access. There is also a picnic area, a barbecue and parking at Chapelle St Thomas. As these facilities may change, check what is available on site before your visit.
The churches also tell of different periods in the town’s history. The former church dedicated to St James, in the old village of Brusque, lies in ruins; its bell tower is still standing. Its Romanesque portal was reinstalled on a neighbouring property. The present-day church in the lower part of Brusque was built around 1890 and has a carillon of nine bells. Thus, a medieval portal and a later church building with its carillon can be seen in different locations.
With its natural appearance, the Grotte Notre-Dame evokes an imitation of the grotto at Lourdes. It was formerly called “Baumes”; in earlier times, during the Wars of Religion, it is said to have served as a Protestant place of worship. This cautious account makes it another place where Brusque’s religious history comes into view, without presenting the historical interpretation as certain.
Only a few remnants of the medieval town remain, including a tower and the ruins of the Castelas. The Castelas had belonged to the Viscounts of Béziers; the surviving remains are considered a modest testament to the town’s medieval prosperity. In the 18th century, Brusque had a Protestant temple, following the persecutions under the rule of Louis XIV. Along with the grotto, the churches and the former Church of St James, these places offer several different ways to explore the town’s religious and architectural history.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Salvadou, Compeyre, Agen-D'aveyron, Espalion, Rignac, Rivière-Sur-Tarn, Saint-Chély-D’aubrac, Saint-Sernin-Sur-Rance
For the regional travel overview: Aveyron.
