Notre-Dame de Puy de Bar

Chemin De La Vierge, 81190, Moularès, Tarn, France

Activities

Visit Notre-Dame de Puy de Bar, a small flat car park with limited usage. Please note that the access road is difficult due to its steep and hole-filled path, making it unsuitable for larger motorhomes. Situated at an altitude of almost 600m, this rocky promontory offers a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the village of Moularès and the surrounding areas, such as Albi, Carmaux, and Cap Découverte. It's a fantastic spot to watch the July 14th fireworks. In 1881, Father Bataillé began constructing a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the massif. The statue is made of cast iron, weighs 1,300 kg, and measures 3.24 meters in height (see photo 2). Since 1981, a traditional pilgrimage takes place annually during the town feast (around August 15), attracting approximately a hundred participants. In 1983, the statue was struck by lightning and shattered, but the community rallied together to repair it. A granite altar from Sidobre was donated, and the statue was reinstated on September 11 of the same year. The site is located along the hiking and mountain biking trail known as the "Grand Huit de Moularès" (see photo 4). The circuit consists of two loops (10 and 13 km) that intersect at Moularès. There are also climbing routes available just 50m away from the car park (see photo 5). Motorhome services are available in Tanus (5 minutes away), supermarkets can be found in Carmaux or Naucelle (15 minutes away), and the Aire du Viaduct du Viaur is just 15 minutes away. If you're looking for a place to swim, the lake of Roucarié is located 20 minutes away. Camping facilities are available at Thuriès in Pampelonne (20 minutes away), offering amenities such as swimming, barbecues, covered areas, and toilets. The car park closes at 11pm. Additionally, you can explore the ruins of the castle of Thuriès, which offers a nice viewpoint. Albi is a 30-minute drive away, while Rodez can be reached in 40 minutes. The area has good 4G reception and provides shade throughout the day, with some mobility.