Micro adventure at the Priory

The micro-adventures of the Beaujolais Geopark guide you through wide open spaces and introduce you to local producers. Discover the Caudalies Trail, where the beauty of the rolling landscapes is combined with that of the priory.

Discover the Caudalies trail where the beauty of the rolling landscapes combines with that of the priory.
Between the Nizerand and Vauxonne valleys, the area extending from
Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin to Salles-Arbuissonnas corresponds to an area
geologically very disturbed, not to say a real mess where a huge collision of a multitude of rocks has taken place. We are indeed in a transitional zone between several
large geological areas of Beaujolais.
Indeed, the oldest terrains (remnants of ancient, vanished volcanoes) are sandwiched between granite formations to the north (the roots of the ancient mountain range) and limestone to the south.
(formed at the bottom of the Jurassic seas).
The historic site, including the Priory, cloister, and church, beautifully showcases the local geology through its walls. One can find (almost)
The entire geological diversity of Beaujolais is showcased in the architecture of the whole.
Each period had its preferred stone, as well as its own cutting and sculpting techniques. The museum offers a discovery-focused visit.
geo-heritage of the places.

The suggested route leads to the meteorite trail. Having fallen in a field not far from the Croifolie estate on March 12, 1798, the Salles meteorite weighed about ten kilograms. It was one of the first meteorites to be the subject of in-depth scientific study.
A fragment is now kept at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.
Stop the winemakers: Domaine des Terres Vivantes and Château de Pravins in Blacé

Type : Marked loop

Distance : 11.6km

Elevation gain : 300m

Duration : 3 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty : Moderate