Out of the ordinary: the seaman’s cemetery of La Clape
© Aedelsa/Béatrice Méneux
A pilgrimage to the classified site of Notre-Dame-des-Auzils is both spectacular and effortless.
La Clape is a former island attached to the mainland by the silt of the river Aude. A natural enclave worthy of a Western by Sergio Leone, La Clape harbours the chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Auzils (“of good help” in the Oc language), and its cemetery.
It is called the "seaman’s cemetery” because of the cenotaphs (empty tombs) built by the villagers from the middle of the 19th century on, to the memory of sailors lost at sea.
Perched on its rocky dome and surrounded by luxuriant vegetation, this ancient chapel was rebuilt in 1635, and restored on several occasions. Following the terrible storm of 1797, which claimed the lives of 29 of the village fishermen, it was dedicated to the Virgin Protectress of seamen. This explains the many ex-votos which decorate its walls.
Every year, at Easter and at Pentecost, the fishermen and their families walk up to their bonne mère, their “good mother”.
Access
By the D 32, direction Gruissan. Turn left 500 meters (about 550 yards) after the Salines roundabout. Length of the walk: 1 hour.
The view
The panoramic view from the chapel over the village of Gruissan and the sea is outstanding. Get through the Ermite garden, below the chapel, to the right of the cenotaphs. Its land was reclaimed by canalising the little Clape stream.
Discovery
If you would like to learn more about this protected massif and discover other hiking circuits, or take a theme trail, please visit the Maison de la Clape, at Vinassan Pech Maynaud. You can choose between a botanical tour (2 hours), a botanical visit of Saint-Martin’s Island (3 hours), a visit to the salt marshes (1 hour and a half), or an ornithological tour of the Campignol lagoon or Saint-Martin’s Island (1 hour and a half). You may also take one of the two accompanied hiking circuits (massif of La Clape and Saint-Martin’s Island).
Contact us
Insolite : le cimetière marin du massif de la Clape
Départementale 32
11430 Gruissan
E-mail contact
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Topic : Landscapes and nature
Published on : 2008/03/18
Tags : out of the ordinary the seaman cemetery of clape
