RANDONNÉE MONT CASTRE

Staying caught up with this blog is more difficult than you think. I’ve got so many photos of places I’ve visited recently that it is difficult to post everything. Still, I’m trying. A few weeks ago we had some wonderful weather and I took a short hiking trip near Lithaire along the path which winds around Mont Castre. During the 19th century, this place was the site of a stone quarry. Those mining operations ceased after the Second World War and all that remains is this large body of water in the middle of the rock. While walking, there are several panels which explain the history of the area as well as providing information about the local flora and fauna. At the top of Mont Castre there are stunning views over the countryside including the town of Lithaire which saw a lot of fighting in June 1944 during the battle of the hedgerows. Also near the top of the hill are the remains of a megalithic site that has been dated to be around 5000 years old. The site is actually a gallery grave in the form of a megalithic tomb. Two parallel walls of stone slabs were erected to form a corridor and covered with a line of capstones. The rectangular tomb was covered with a barrow or a cairn. Nearby are the remains of a more interesting ruin called the “Vieux Château.” In 56 BC, during the Gallic war against the Romans, the Gallic people, ruled by the warrior Viridorix, were beaten by the legions of Julius Caesar led by Quintus Sabinus Titurius. The area has maintained its name as "Caesar's camp." Farther down the hill are the remains of the old 11th century church known as Église St-Thomas after Thomas Becket.