Anglès: History and Hiking

Anglès brings together traces of its fortified past and a challenging circular hike on the Plateau d’Anglès. This gives you two distinctly different themes to focus on when planning your trip: architectural and religious history, and a longer hike with views of the Massif du Somail. The Lac des Saints-Peyres also offers a recreational area, where it is important to check specific guidance on access and swimming.

Fortified village and historic buildings

Anglès dates back to the 13th century as a fortified village. At that time, the settlement was known as “Castrum de Angulis.” This early association with fortifications provides a historical context for later architectural landmarks. Both Château de Campan and Portail Bas are associated with the 17th century, but represent different aspects of the village’s history: one is a fortified estate, while the other is the surviving structure of a former wall.

The main construction phase of Château de Campan dates to the 17th century. The estate includes a fortified château and a farm. The château is partially protected as a Monument historique; it was listed by decree on 17 May 1961. This means that the estate’s architecture and heritage protection are two separate points to consider: the protection applies to a partial listing, while the description also names the farm as part of the estate.

Portail Bas was also built in the 17th century and is the only surviving structure of Anglès’s former fortification wall. Its significance lies in the village’s fortifications, not in the history of the Château estate. The Protestant temple adds the village’s religious history to these architectural landmarks and bears witness to it. Fortifications and Protestant heritage thus emerge as distinct historical themes.

Hiking on the Plateau d’Anglès

The circular hiking trail on the Plateau d’Anglès is 19 km long, rated difficult and listed as taking five hours. This gives the hike a clear place in your day’s plans: it is a longer, challenging activity, while the historical sites appeal to different interests. The 2019 trail brochure gives the parking area in front of the Chalet d’Anglès as the starting point. Check the trail details again before your trip and confirm the stated starting point locally.

The trail offers views of the Massif du Somail. It thus connects the stated route details with a specific landscape.

Recreational area at Lac des Saints-Peyres

A recreational area has been set up on the eastern side of Lac des Saints-Peyres in Anglès. Check access and facilities locally. Swimming in Lac des Saints-Peyres is theoretically prohibited; check local signs before entering the water. The presence of a designated recreational area does not override this restriction.

When choosing the focus of your trip, the village’s history, the challenging loop on the plateau and the recreational area by the lake cater to different interests. For the hike, the stated duration, difficulty rating and starting point are important planning details; at the lake, follow local guidance on access and swimming.

Discover more destinations: Murat-sur-Vèbre, Curvalle, Sainte-Cécile-Du-Cayrou, Tonnac, Frausseilles, Lempaut, Mouzieys-Teulet, Labastide-Dénat

For the broader travel overview: Tarn.