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How about an easy 30 minute tour on the outskirts of Caunes Minervois?

Drive up the allée des carrières, which can be found at the top of the avenue du Minervois (opposite the sculpture of a horse's head)

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Along the route, you can admire the monumental sculptures and a panorama over the Minervois…

Find the name of the sculptures and the artists on the Plan of the village 

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Carry on for a further 4 km (uneven track, but manageable), leave your car in the car park on the right and continue on foot for 5 minutes.

You will see the active Terralbes quarry on your left, but continue along the track opposite...

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Already exploited by the Romans, the red crimson marble quarry, no longer active, is called the 'Carrière du Roy' in homage to Louis XIV. 

He had enormous blocks of marble extracted, which can be seen at Versailles, the Grand Trianon, the Louvre… but also in churches, chapels and the residences of the wealthy in the region…

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Admire the view of the vallée du Cros, with remains and explanatory signs on site.

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The quarry can be explored independently on walks from the village

or as a guided tour, together with a further 18 quarries with the association des Marbrières