The quarries of Junas, an exotic place
Exploited for more than 2000 years, the stones of the Combe du bon Temps were used in particular for the construction of the bridge of Sommières, then of Aigues-Mortes and of Le Vigan. A human work, magnified over time, which seems almost unreal. It is with wonder that you will be able to discover the work of the stone craftsmen, these quarrymen who have marked the veins of the rock with their tools. The method of extraction, unchanged for centuries, was done in the open air: the rock was incised in a vertical direction, then the masses to be extracted were broken up with a wedge and a sledgehammer. These buggy masses of 50 cm long by 30 cm wide were then transported to be cut. A colossal task which still today underlines the know-how of these men. On "Les Carrières", an interpretation trail allows you to discover the site.
Living Stone
The "Living Stone" trail highlights the heritage appeal of the area. A circuit where nature and rurality go hand in hand, offering here and there testimonies inscribed in the stone. 13 stations line the Bon Temps quarries. You will learn more about the manual extraction of stone with the escoude, the sledgehammer and the wedge, the three essential tools of the quarrymen of the time. You will understand how today's mechanical techniques contrast with the irregularity of the old quarries. The trail will take you to the wild and rocky parts of the site, as the first quarrymen must have known it. You will be surprised by the massive aspect of the capitelles, here made of rough rubble and not of dry stone as in the rest of the territory. Finally, you will notice how much your presence in this inimitable landscape is a source of astonishment, especially when your eyes open up to the viewpoints overlooking the valley and the Cévennes massif.
If you stroll to the right or left in the quarries, take the yellow marked path to continue your journey.Jazz in Junas Festival
From "Les Carrières", continue this loop until you reach the "Rond-Point des Rencontres" marker: this work of stone, created by stone cutters from all over Europe, is a tribute to the "mother rock", the stones of which were used to build the village of Junas. Note the presence of a double bass carved in the rock, it underlines the artistic vocation of the quarries with its unmissable jazz festival. Indeed, it is in this mineral setting, with its extraordinary resonance, that the Jazz à Junas festival is held. Every year in July, for almost 30 years, the festival has been promoting its territory by taking over the quarries but also the streets, the scrubland or the squares of Junas. For 5 days, the village lives an artistic and cultural adventure without borders where jazzmen from all over the world make their creativity vibrate.
Take the direction of Sommières to "La Promenade". Here, take the path on the left to "Chemin de Christin", then continue on the left to "Le Pressoir". At this point, turn right to "Pont des Combes". Then follow the direction of Aubais until the marker "Bois de Dumas". At the marker "Bois de Dumas", go straight to return to Junas following the marker "L'Horloge". You will then be able to reach the parking of the town hall by entering the village.THE GOOD ADDRESSES OF THE COURSE
To get to your starting point
Road access
Junas, 25 km west of Nîmes by the RD40 and 140
Recommended parking: Parking at the town hall or at the clock tower
Tourist offices - meeting points
Pays de Sommières Intercommunal Tourist Office
04 66 80 99 30
1 Quai Cléon Griolet 30250 Sommières
Where to sleep ?
Accommodation Gîte de France
Rural gite
LOU CAMPAÏO, 19 rue de la Lavande, AUJARGUES 3, 4, BOYER, Joëlle, 04 66 71 44 18, 06 32 11 74 63, [email protected]
Accommodation for cyclists
HÔTEL ESTELOU *** (Label Accueil Vélo) - 297 Avenue De La Gare 30250 SOMMIÈRES - http://www.hotelestelou.fr - [email protected] - +33 (0)4 66 53 11 04
CAMPING DOMAINE DE MASSEREAU ***** (Label Accueil Vélo) - 1803 Route D'Aubais 30250 SOMMIÈRES - http://www.massereau.com - [email protected] - +33 (0)4 66 53 11 20
Festivities
Junas Jazz Festival in July
Les Rencontres de la Pierre 1st weekend of July
30250 Junas
