This itinerary, which forms a tour of the village of Arnave, is particularly dedicated to visiting the Romanesque chapel of Saint Paul, a jewel of tranquility in a rural setting. Well preserved, this Romanesque chapel is the oldest in the region.
The chapel of St-Paul d'Arnave

Saint Paul d'Arnave is a chapel probably from the 800th or XNUMXth century, located XNUMX meters above sea level. Relatively well preserved, this Romanesque chapel which is certainly the oldest in the region.

Within it, its choir is a marvel of primitive Romanesque art. A bust of Saint Paul, dating from the 2015th century, belongs to him and was restored in XNUMX to be exhibited in the church of Saint Pierre d'Arnave in complete safety. The chapel and its reliquary bust therefore constitute a treasure of our cultural heritage that the local population has always been able to preserve and enhance. Moreover, the originality of this monument, on an unusual site, half an hour's walk from the village, gives a mysterious character that particularly favors contemplation. The beauty of this chapel and the serenity it exudes force all visitors to respect it naturally.

Access Departure:

North of Tarascon take the Mercus direction on the D618. On leaving Bompas, turn right onto the D20, Corniches road dotted with a beautiful Romanesque chapel. In Arnave, park your car on the village square near the plane trees and the fountain.

Location

Ariège Pyrenees

South of Ariège, on the border with Andorra, are the Ariège Pyrenees. Between mountainous landscapes and activities, there are many [...]

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Equipments

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  • Free parking

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1 - Departure of the hike

From the village square at 570m, cross the Arnave bridge, to take an immediate right.
On the track, looking carefully, you will find, from the top of Saint Paul, the chapel on its promontory.
After about ten minutes, near the stream, the track begins to climb.
Past the wide ones near Médevièle and the reservoir on the right, the track begins an increasingly impatient climb. You abandon it after a steep climb of about twenty meters because it gets lost in the fields.
Shortly after, the path goes without hesitation towards the chapel.
Turn around then. A glance over the Arnave valley, and your peaceful breath, finish this warm ascent.

2 - St. Paul's Chapel

At the Saint-Paul chapel (722m) recuperate while taking advantage of the view offered on the Tabe massif.
Now take the time you need to appreciate the site, its beauty, its calm and its obviousness.
Your stopwatch at zero, set off again due south for the Col d'Ussat.
You enter the forest of Barthala, the drop is rough at the start...but does not last! A grove of oaks with a small pass marks a pleasant slowdown.
Go down, up, down, and you pass to the right of the Pédissol orri.

3 - Pedissol

Starting from the plateau of Pédissol at 755m you must make a right turn.
Soon you will be at the last switchbacks of the climb which will lead to the pass, not without some effort.

4 - The Col d'Ussat

The Col d'Ussat at 859m offers a plunging view of the valley, pastures and orchards are legion there.
The paths of Cazenave, Arnave, Ornolac and Tarascon intersect here. Your part of the pylon towards the East, it plunges with determination towards Cammassan and Franquo (Franque).
The Chemin de Franque takes you back to the D20, which you will have to go up for 200 meters.
On the left, the path runs along the surrounding wall of Castelet, the ancestral home of the lords of Arnave.