[Balade] Découverte du vieux village de Laroque et de ses environs

Departure from the Tourist Office. Go back up towards the centre of the old village by taking the small staircase next to the tourist office and passing through the town hall square, Rue du Puig opposite, then Rue du 14 Juillet and on the right by Rue Maréchal Joffre. ▪ After the Côte de la Place, you arrive at the Place de la République and its superb plane tree planted in 1830. Head towards the Saint Félix church (formerly a weapons room). Opposite the church porch, take Rue de l'Eglise, a dead end, which is followed by the path, bordered on the left by a stream. The path leaves the village. ▪ Ruin on the right of the Moulin de la Pave (old flour mill). Currently being restored, its origins date back to the 14th century for an activity continued until the middle of the 19th century. A few meters higher, pretty shaded fountain. Bird Fountain. The path follows a half-buried pipe. 
Go up to a fork and go right. You arrive near a pond. A few meters further on at the crossroads of paths, turn left following the Cabanes. Continue to follow the path that goes left then right. ▪ You arrive at Mas d'en Bordes (house on the right). Pass along the house and follow the path.
Leave the fork on the left and continue on the path straight. ▪ You arrive at an intersection of trails. Indicative signs. Ignore the path on the left (Puig Neulos) and take the path on the right which descends towards the river. Be careful, in places this path is very ravine.
Arriving at the crossroads of paths located above the river, head to the left along the watering canal (on your left) to reach the Caranques. ▪ The Caranques. natural basin in the riverbed. For several generations, they have been the privileged meeting place and the bathing place of the Rocatine youth. WARNING ! Nowadays, a municipal decree prohibits swimming for safety reasons Retrace your steps to the strategic crossroads of paths. Take the path on the left which descends towards the river “Roc del Grèvol”. Ford on the river, then the path goes up to reach a small paved road.
Go down this road (to the right) to reach the ruins of the Roca Vella Chapel a few meters further on. This building was certainly 9 m high. Retrace your steps to the crossroads of paths.
Head to the left along the watering channel (on your right) to join the path that goes down to the Mineral Source (post on the left with a 2).
Take this small path which descends to the Mineral Spring. You arrive near the river: picnic table. Caution: Do not cross the dam in the direction of the Mineral spring. ▪
Descend along the river following the path marked in yellow and cross at the ford. Cross a small wood to a path to take on the left. Follow it and you will find a small paved road.
Go down this road (to the right). ▪ The village reappears. First dwellings along the Roca Vella Street. The view of the village is very beautiful. SANT SEBASTIA chapel, building with a single nave and a trapezoidal apse covered by a semicircular vault.
Walk along the wall of the chapel and take the Chemin de la Florentine which will lead you, through the gardens, towards the old village. Small footbridge over the river, then the path joins Rue du Château.
Follow this street to the right
Before the church, climb to the castle belvedere. This was first mentioned in 1100. From the belvedere there is a superb panorama with the Pic Neulos 1256 m to the south, to the west the Canigou 2784 m, to the north the Roussillon plain and to the east the coast and the Mediterranean.
 Then go back down. After the coast of the square, you arrive in the avenue du Maréchal Joffre. At the intersection you can observe the sundial from above. On the left, take Rue Arago to return to the Tourist Office.