ÉGLISE FORTIFIÉE DE SAINT-CLAIR-DE-GOUTS

This astonishing site on the Route de Saint-Jacques is well worth a visit. A trail through the forest leads to the imposing church of Saint-Clair-de-Gouts, a Gothic building with a bell tower and wall, fortified to ensure its own defense, set on a mound in a clearing overlooking the Ciron riverbed. Particularly rich in springs, this was once a site inhabited by farmers, coal-makers and glass-makers. Below the building, three built fountains and four unbuilt fountains can be seen on the banks of the stream, on the circuit of the so-called "miraculous" fountains. Its name comes from the Goths (Visigoths), the so-called barbarian peoples from the north who colonized Gaul as early as the^5th century, who worshipped water. People gathered there on pilgrimage. Each spring was dedicated to a healing saint. At the beginning of the ^19th century, an estimated 700 souls still lived around the parish of Goutz (or Gouts, or Goux), a village already attached to the commune of Allons. Built in the ^13th century, but remodeled and fortified in the ^15th century, the church still features ^17th-century wall paintings. Today, a volunteer association is involved in the renovation and enhancement of the building, and an annual festival is held here. Tours of the building are available from the Allons town hall. It's one of those remarkable, romantic and peaceful sites that you discover when strolling through the Landes forest.