Montredon-Labessonnié: Trails, Landscape and Local History

Trails, Landscape and History in Montredon-Labessonnié

Montredon-Labessonnié combines hiking trails, mountain biking circuits, distinctive landscapes and local history. Montredon-Labessonnié has more than 120 km of hiking trails as well as designated mountain biking circuits. In addition to the trails, the chapel, church and monument are part of the local history; Planète Tarn and the Piscine de Bezan add science and water to the range of attractions. The local history includes Notre-Dame-de-Ruffis, the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the Monument de Montredon-Labessonnié.

Hiking Between the Village Centre and Panoramic Views

The Tour du village hiking trail starts at the Place du Foirail and leads through the centre of Montredon-Labessonnié and the surrounding countryside. The bell tower of Saint-Jean serves as a landmark. Another route is the Sentier de l’Houlette, an 18 km circular route with the remains of forgotten hamlets in the valleys, expansive panoramic views reaching as far as the Pyrenees, the ruins of an old mill and a building dedicated to astronomy for centuries.

The «Montagne» and the Surrounding Mountains

The «Montagne» also offers panoramic views, oak and chestnut forests, and green pastures. In the wider regional surroundings of Montredon-Labessonnié are the Puech du Singladou, a mountain, Mont Roucous, a mountain, Bel Vespré, a peak, and the Pic de Montaud, a mountain.

Chapel, Church and Monument

Notre-Dame-de-Ruffis is a small Romanesque chapel from the 14th century. It has been restored and is maintained by volunteers from the Association pour la Sauvegarde et la Promotion de l’Ensemble de Ruffis (ASPER). The present-day Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montredon was built around 1841. Previously, there had been a Gothic church from the 13th century, which was destroyed and rebuilt in 1666 and fell into disrepair around 1800.

The Monument de Montredon-Labessonié, inaugurated in 1922, is associated with 159 fallen soldiers from the First World War, 9 from the Second World War, 1 from the Indochina War and 4 from the Algerian War or the conflict in North Africa. In the wider regional surroundings of Montredon-Labessonnié are the Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Ardorel, a historic site, the Chateau d'Aiguefonde, a château, and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, a museum. The Abbaye Royale de la Rode, a historic site, is also located in the wider regional surroundings of Montredon-Labessonnié.

Science and Water

Planète Tarn offers astronomy and science activities. These include workshops on hydropneumatic rockets, volcanoes and earthquakes, as well as planet observation. The Piscine de Bezan is a supervised municipal swimming pool with three pools: a paddling pool, a medium-sized pool and a large pool.

A Daily Rhythm Between Trails and Themes

The Tour du village circuit around the village and the 18 km Sentier de l’Houlette circular route give your daily planning two different route profiles. The chapel, church and monument complement the trails with local history; Planète Tarn and the Piscine de Bezan represent science and water.

Further places for planning your trip: Brens, Giroussens, Puycelci, Prades, Villefranche-D'albigeois, Anglès, Labastide-Dénat and Damiatte.

More about the region: Tarn.