A huge gap? A canyon? Buildings teetering on the sting, as if they may tumble into the abyss? Welcome to “Le Trou de Bozouls”—the Bozouls gap—situated in south-central France. I made a particular journey to Bozouls, Aveyron to see this gap—all created by Mom Nature, and it took my breath away!
In case you can’t journey right here in particular person, catch a glimpse of Bozouls and its gorgeous canyon within the tv sequence, “Monsieur Spade” accessible for streaming on AMC+, Sundance TV, and Acorn. The primary episode is free on Apple TV+. [More about the series is at the end of this post.]
Bozouls Aveyron And The Huge Gap
Measurement Of The Bozouls Gap
The canyon of Bozouls is roughly 100 metres deep and 400 metres in diameter. Speak about one large gap in France! It’s as if a meteorite hit earth, created an enormous gap and the inhabitants determined, “let’s arrange our village on the sting of this gap!”. By means of the centuries, houses, companies, and historic buildings like Romanesque church of Sainte-Fauste had been constructed proper on the sting of the cliff.
The place Is Bozouls Situated?
I visited this wonderful place within the Aveyron area after I was staying in Rodez because it’s solely 25 minutes away. I spent a few hours there as a result of I not solely wished to stroll across the perimeter, however I additionally wished to go all the way down to the underside of the horseshoe-shaped canyon. The Dourdou de Conques river created this canyon, which eroded the limestone plateau. Right this moment, the river nonetheless runs by the underside of the canyon.
Bozouls vs. Different Holes And Placing Villages In France
- Bozouls is far greater and deeper than Gouffre de Padirac (often called the Padirac Chasm or “Satan’s Gap”) within the Lot division. There you’ll be able to head down into the caves and even journey a ship by numerous chambers crammed with stalactites and stalagmites. Each are spectacular. Right here’s a hyperlink for extra details about Gouffre de Padirac.
- The village of Bozouls is situated on the sting of a canyon whereas the villages of Rocamadour and Saint Cirq-Lapopie appear to hold onto the sting of the hillsides within the Lot division. Each are designated “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Stunning Villages Of France). Right here’s a hyperlink to learn extra about these two villages: Rocamadour and Saint Cirq-Lapopie and Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
Bozouls Historical past
Bozouls dates again to the Iron Age and stays from that period and the Roman period have been unearthed. One of many gadgets, “God of Bozouls”, made out of sandstone, may be discovered on the Musée Fenaille in Rodez. It dates again to the first century BC. (I visited this museum and located it to be very attention-grabbing).
Within the Center Ages, the Counts of Rodez and Knights Hospitaller used Bozouls as their residence. A château was constructed within the ninth century and the canyon supplied extra protection as one might solely strategy this French city from the south. Right this moment there are solely ruins left of the fort, together with two turrets.
Strolling Round Bozouls And The Canyon
There is a superb map of Bozouls which signifies the websites within the canyon, together with the Sainte-Fauste church, footbridges, viewpoints, waterfalls, and picnic areas. What was notably helpful was details about the mountaineering trails so you’ll be able to resolve the way you’d prefer to discover and think about the canyon— from the terraces above, alongside rue du Trou, or from beneath within the canyon. The strolling paths had been properly laid out and the path I took was straightforward and gave me plenty of panoramic views.
Climbing Trails (Sentiers de Rondonnée)
There are three totally different mountaineering trails and I did the primary, PR1, in order that I might have a bit picnic (there have been picnic tables), stroll alongside the perimeter and see Eglise Sainte-Fauste. I additionally wandered across the canyon for a bit.
- PR1-Deep within the Gorge d’Enfer (1 hour, 2km)
- PR2-Exploring The Canyon (1:30 hours, 4 km)
- PR3-The Dourdou: gorges and rock faces (2 hours, 6 km)
Elgise Saint-Fauste de Bozouls
From throughout the canyon you’ll be able to’t assist however see the attractive church, Eglise Sainte-Fauste. It sits on the sting of a promontory (cliff)—on the finish of a rocky spur. You’ll be able to simply go to this church throughout your stroll across the canyon.
The Sainte-Fauste church was constructed of purple sandstone within the twelfth century with a Romanesque design. There’s a bell tower entrance, nave, and choir space and lots of columns with detailed carvings of human figures and leaf patterns.
Within the 14th and fifteenth centuries, extra elements had been added to the church together with 5 facet chapels. Within the seventeenth and 18th centuries, restoration work was executed, together with the addition of buttresses. These had been added to strengthen the church because the slate roof of the principle corridor was too heavy to be safely supported by the partitions and pillars.
Eglise Sainte-Fauste was designated a Historic Monument in 1920.
In case you’d prefer to know extra concerning the Aveyron area and what you are able to do there (and discover out extra concerning the meals of the area), take a look at these two posts:
Bozouls And The Monsieur Spade Sequence
In January 2024, the streaming service, AMC+ launched the 6 episode mini-series, “Monsieur Spade”. Sam Spade is the fictional detective created by writer Dashiell Hammett and Monsieur Spade is performed by Clive Owen. It’s in English and French (with subtitles). Two notable co-stars are Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve’s daughter, and American actress, Alfre Woodard.
Spade resides a quiet retirement in Bozouls, France, in 1963. Nonetheless, his peace is shattered by the brutal homicide of six nuns at an area convent, pulling him again into an online of thriller. As he investigates, Spade uncovers darkish secrets and techniques the townspeople have been hiding, tied to espionage throughout WWII, whereas going through threats to each his life and people near him.
Whereas there have been many storylines and at occasions a complicated plot, the surroundings, basic French vehicles of the Nineteen Sixties, and French music made up for these weaknesses.
Right here’s the trailer for the sequence: https://youtu.be/WoRPIEtbcBM?si=qf6wTOcRhJL48fLt
Have you ever been to Bozouls in Aveyron? What was your impression?
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