A variant of the long-distance hiking trail Chemin de Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert runs through the village. Those who choose La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment here.
Culture and history
The Church of Notre Dame in La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries was founded in 1248 by Bishop Guilhem de Cazouls and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the 12th century, the Saint-Martin-de-Castries priory was dependent on the Abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. The ruins of the Saint-Martin-de-Castries priory church were restored in 2005; the church is described as the oldest on the Larzac Plateau. On the village square is the Maison dite « Du Bailly », with a carved door and a gallery dating from the 17th century. Cantercel is a site for experiments in architecture.
Hiking
The Chemin de l’eau is an interpretive trail in La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries that is suitable for exploring with the family. It follows a circular route through the rural hydraulic heritage to the Source du Goutal, which supplied La Vacquerie with water for a long time. As a 9-kilometre circular hike, the Chemin de l’eau starts and ends in La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries and passes by the Cantercel experimental site. The trail presents hydraulic structures such as water intakes, canals and cisterns and is equipped with information panels.
The Chemin des Chênes is an interpretive hiking trail that highlights two remarkable oak trees and traces of local wildlife. The Chemin de l’Érable is signposted with markers in the shape of Montpellier maple leaves and leads to a remarkable maple tree with an orientation panel. The Notre-Dame de Parlatges hike begins and ends in La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries and leads to the historically significant site of Notre-Dame de Parlatges.
Landscape
La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries lies on the southern edge of the Causse du Larzac at an altitude of 600 to 800 metres. The landscape is characterised by extensive cattle, horse, donkey and sheep farming.
Transport
The La Vacquerie-et-Saint-Martin-de-Castries – Centre bus stop is served by the Réseau Draille lines.
