Anciens Etangs-balade à vélo-52
Walk that crosses the old ponds of Rochefort du Gard and Pujaut and passes in front of the Saint Anthelme farm, one of the five Chartreux farms.
Type of bike: VTC at least (unpaved sections)
One-way loop, clockwise
Type of bike: VTC at least (unpaved sections)
One-way loop, clockwise
Route details
Alert
Cross the D26 (Route de Tavel) to take the Chemin du Carlaban
Description
When the inhabitants of Pujaut and Rochefort decided to drain the ponds to stem malaria and increase their arable land, they called upon several engineers who were faced with the difficult task of evacuating the water from these spreading areas, as well as the fishermen who lost their source of income. The work was completed at the beginning of the 17th century. The water was evacuated through two tunnels. The first was built by Claude de Montcois. He borrowed the money necessary for the work from the Carthusians of Villeneuve against heavy interest rates that proved fatal to him. The second was by the various landowners, including the Carthusians, who built three new farms: Saint Anthelme, Saint Hugues, and Saint Bruno.