Cirque de Récusset

Saint-Paul-de-Salers

Description

In Saint-Paul-de-Salers (Récusset), two interpretive trails in the “Espace Naturel Sensible de Récusset” (preserved area) with an educational booklet, invite you to discover: - the transhumance story « Petit Pâtre » (length: 1h30 – distance: 3,5km – difference in altitude: 200m). - the exceptional biodiversity of the area « Sur les pentes du Pré dansant » (length: 1h40 – distance: 5km – difference in altitude: 300m). In the Roc de Labro Buron (sort of summer dairy in the mountainous region): viewpoint indicator on the Récusset cirque at the sound of the story of the transhumance.

The Récusset Cirque, located in the municipality of Saint-Paul-de-Salers, is a classic volcanic landscape, with slopes formed by lava flows from the ancient Cantal volcano and a wide valley carved out by glaciers....

Designated a “Sensitive Natural Area” by the department in 2008, the ecological riches of the Récusset site are preserved and promoted to the general public.
The Récusset cirque actually consists of two distinct cirques:
-the Impramau cirque, which is used for grazing,
-the 7 Fontaines cirque, which is forested; its name alone reflects the abundance of water on its slopes.

Biodiversity and pastoralism shape the landscapes, and these two themes are naturally explored through two interpretive trails:

-"On the Slopes of the Dancing Meadow" (5 km – 1 hr 40 min)
Theme: Biodiversity—The trail invites visitors to discover the site’s various habitats. Discreet signage, consisting of black photographic boxes (a tribute to a local figure, Father Gély, who photographed this valley in the 19th century), marks the trail.

-"The Little Shepherd’s Trail" (4.5 km – 1 hr 30 min)
Theme: pastoralism – Black silhouettes, representing each phase in the evolution of herding and the lives of the buronniers, line the discovery trail. They pay tribute to the men who shaped—and continue to shape—"the Mountain" to this day.

At the Roc de Labro buron, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Récusset cirque... An audio installation inside the building tells the story of summer grazing in the Maronne Valley and the surrounding valleys, while an enameled sandstone landscape interpretation panel completes the outdoor exhibit.
(To get there: park in the Col de Néronne parking lot, then begin your descent on foot toward Récusset, heading for the Roc de Labro mountain hut...)