The Paroupian Heritage Trail to Saint-symphorien
4.5 km(s) 1h30 Difficulty : EasyStage 1
This walking tour of the village of Saint-Symphorien starts opposite the church. After visiting the church, head towards the war memorial, the village hall and the swing well via Rue du Lavoir.At the end of the street, turn right onto Boulevard de la Gare, then left onto Cours de Verdun.
Stage 2
After a few metres, you will see the Coloubie house on your left. Continue on until you reach the entrance to Chalet Mauriac park. After a stroll through the park, retrace your steps back to Boulevard de la Gare and continue along this avenue (leaving Rue du Lavoir on your left).Stage 3
From Boulevard de la Gare, the wet meadows are on your left. Just before crossing the small stream, the Hure, you will see the wash house on your right.At the bend, turn right onto Avenue des Mûriers. Then take the first right, a short stretch of road where you’ll see an old workers’ house and the René Poudenx gemstone factory.
Stage 4
Head back along the same route to Boulevard de la Gare and carry straight on towards the old repair workshops. At the next junction, turn left and cross the footbridge. Pass the church again, then take the second left onto the D220, Rue Jean Lapeyre.Stage 5
A few metres further on, turn right at the mission cross, towards Place de la République.You will see Thérèse Desqueyroux’s house and the old town hall on your left. At the junction with Cours Gambetta, turn left.
Stage 6
A few metres further on, turn right onto Rue de l'Abreuvoir and head towards the wash house. Retrace your steps back to Cours Gambetta, veer slightly left, then turn right onto Rue du XIV Juillet. At the end of the street, turn right onto Rue Carnot. You can stop for a break at the Cercle Ouvrier. At the end of Rue Carnot, turn left to rejoin Cours Gambetta.Stage 7
Walk past the Réglat house. At the next junction, turn right onto Avenue du Général Leclerc, then onto Avenue Jean Jaurès. The Dubourg house will be on your right and the former Martiot castle on your left, at the roundabout. Continue straight ahead, and you will see the mule barn on your left.Stage 8
A little further on, turn right in the Rossigneux neighbourhood, where you’ll see some old workers’ houses. Turn right again onto the cycle path and continue straight on until you reach Rue du Chemin de Fer. Turn left, then continue straight on until you reach Maynats station. Just after that, take the small path on the right, then turn right again at the next junction.Join the Chemin de la Passerelle again, which will take you to the church, your starting point.
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Discover the buildings of Paroupian and their history on a family walk of around 5 km.
The village, which in the 18th century consisted of just fifteen or so houses clustered around the church, took on its current form in the 19th century and grew thanks to the economic prosperity brought about by the exploitation of maritime pine between the mid-19th century and the Second World War. It is an industrial village with 2,000 inhabitants, served by the Chemins de Fer Economiques railway line.
The municipality also has a network of agricultural estates.
In the 20th century, the municipality experienced a difficult period with the cessation of resin extraction in 1960, the closure of the railway repair workshops in 1978 and the gradual disappearance of traditional industries. Today, Saint-Symphorien is one of the municipalities within the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park.