Boissezon lies on the Way of St. James and has a Gothic church on a hilltop at the site of the former castle. For hikers, the loop trails differ in length, stated duration, and access status; on the Durenque, there is also a fishing section with specific hook rules. This makes it possible to consider culture, wildlife watching, hiking, and fishing as distinct focuses for a stay.
Hiking: Length and Access Status
Two circular trails start at the town hall square in Boissezon. The Boucle de Sarrette is listed as 9 km and 2 hr 30 min. The Chaos de la Balme circular trail is listed as longer, at 18 km and 4 hr 30 min, and follows the GR36 and GR653 long-distance hiking trails. Its access status is an important factor for planning: the Chaos de la Balme is marked as inaccessible. Check trail conditions before setting out, and do not plan this loop as a usable hiking route without checking again.
The 23 km Le Rampaillou loop runs near Boissezon. Rare orchids and 70 species of mushrooms can be observed along the route. This hike is therefore about wildlife watching as well as distance. Check local trail conditions before your hike. The stated distances and durations vary between routes; when choosing, you should also take the access notice for the Chaos de la Balme into account.
Church and the Way of St. James
The church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and stands on a hilltop at the site of Boissezon’s former castle. Its fortified tower, a watchtower, and loopholes define its defensive architecture. The building also overlooks the Durenque valley. The church links the former castle site with visible features of its fortification history.
The Way of St. James is also a point of reference for the village: Boissezon lies on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. The church houses the painting “Crucifixion,” a canvas signed by Valette and dated 1835. Those interested in history and religious art will find two distinct points of interest here: the pilgrimage route through the village and a specifically dated work inside the church.
Fishing on the Durenque
The Durenque is a trout river. A 15 km stretch from the Sidobre to the entrance to Castres is classified as a first-category fishing water. The fishing techniques and location for the Durenque–Boissezon no-kill section are also specified: tenkara-style and fly fishing are permitted 500 m upstream from the bridge. On this section, fishing is permitted only with barbless hooks or hooks with crushed barbs.
For planning, the specific section is therefore just as important as the river’s name. If you want to fish on the Durenque, check the applicable fishing regulations before your outing, as they may change. This keeps the details about the stretch, fishing techniques, and permitted hooks together and tied to the designated Durenque–Boissezon no-kill section.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Magrin, Milhavet, Mailhoc, Tanus, Saint-Gauzens, Montgey, Cordes-Sur-Ciel, Graulhet
For the overview of the wider region: Tarn.
