Le Rajal del Gorp

The Rajal (from the verb Rajar : to sink) del Gòrp (crow), is located 13 km from Millau, on the Larzac plateau, along the D809, is a natural amphitheater of rocks covering an area of ​​106 hectares, facing the setting sun, with long keels rising towards the sky. Here, one finds vast expanses of lawns and heathland with boxwood and juniper. There are also some cultivated areas on more fertile clay sinkholes, particularly to the north and south of the site. It was part of the political debate from the Larzac "war" of 1970-1981 to the anti-globalization demonstrations of 2003, before becoming the setting for a "rave party" in 2003. Indeed, the site lends itself admirably to large gatherings. On August 25 and 26, 1973, in support of the 103 Larzac farmers opposed to the expansion of the military camp, 60,000 people marched from Millau and occupied this magnificent site. In August 1974, at least 100,000 people gathered at the Rajal, arriving from all over France, sometimes at the end of collective marches converging on the plateau. As a reminder, the abandonment of the military expansion project was announced by President François Mitterand in 1981. And to celebrate, 10,000 people gathered at the Rajal that summer. It's also worth noting that, two years later, the site was the scene of another rally, against the nuclear freeze, which brought together 30,000 people. A discovery trail has been created (yellow markings). It takes 40 minutes to complete the loop of the ruiniform chaos, a vast cirque, a natural amphitheater oriented toward the setting sun, lending itself admirably to large gatherings. And some, even today, return on pilgrimage in the summer season. Corridors of rocks, ochre, pink, gray, elegant bowling pins or squat masses, modestly brightened by the whitened hair of spring Saskatoon berries. Overcome by the shadow of night, the black lacework of the rocks stands out against the red twilight sky. Near the ruiniforms of Rajal del Gorp is the sinkhole of the same name, also called "des quilles," located 200 meters west of the former RN9, now the D809, and 400 meters north of the rocky chaos. Just over 100 meters long, classified as Chasséen, this sinkhole served as a sanctuary from the 2nd century BC. BC to the 4th century AD. It contained a large number of offerings: brooches, nearly 500 coins, some bearing the effigy of Tatinos, a Ruthenian prince, lamps, statuettes, rings and beads, visible at the Archaeological Museum of Millau. Vases were also left as offerings to the gods (Tumulus, oppidum, lavogne)