Les Cammazes is home to the Cammazes Tunnel, a feat of engineering dating from the 17th century.
When planning a stay in Les Cammazes, you may also consider renting a holiday apartment.
Culture and History
The Cammazes Tunnel and its entrance and exit arches were listed as historical monuments by decree of 4 March 1997. The Voûte Vauban was built between 1687 and 1688 on Vauban’s orders. On the ground floor, Le Salon de Vauban offers organic and local cuisine or a tea room serving savoury and sweet tartines throughout the day, along with homemade pastries.
Landscape and Water Management
Les Cammazes is a municipality in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. The Barrage des Cammazes is a concrete arch dam. The Rigole de la Montagne collects water from the Montagne Noire and carries it from the Alzeau water intake to Les Cammazes at the Saut du Laudot to supply the Canal du Midi. The Saut du Laudot is the final structure of the Rigole de la Montagne and includes an 8 m-high masonry cascade. The Forêt de l’Aiguille is considered a former royal forest and a source of raw materials for charcoal production in the region.
Paths and Activities
The path along the Rigole de la Montagne runs for 28 km between the Alzeau water intake and Les Cammazes and is suitable for hiking and cycling. The Route Vauban et les Eaux de la Montagne Noire is an 8.0 km hiking trail with an elevation difference of 50 m. It includes crossing the Voûte Vauban and a path along the Rigole de la Montagne through the forest. From Les Cammazes, the Voûte Vauban can be crossed on foot; inside the tunnel, the path follows a narrow ledge along the walls.
Charcoal kilns can be seen on the circular trail through the Forêt de l’Aiguille. L’Etrier de la Montagne Noire offers horseback rides and trail rides for everyone from beginners to experienced riders. A walk along the Rigole de la Montagne leads to the Barrage des Cammazes. The reservoir of the Barrage des Cammazes has a circumference of 16.5 km; a walking time of 4 hours is indicated.
Orientation
At the Voûte Vauban site, there is a picnic area, car parking and bus parking. The path through the Forêt de l’Aiguille has a car park at the exit of the village on the road to Carcassonne, in front of the village hall and the Les Cammazes tourist information office.
Other places: Vaour, Saïx, Saint-Germier, Dénat, Le Riols, Rosieres, Ferrières, Massaguel
