Nestled in the hollow of a valley, leaning against steep slopes or perched on the heights, farms and hamlets are everywhere. Sunken paths, ridge trails or balcony tracks irrigate the land and link the scattered homes.

A harsh symbiosis
The harsh climate of the Alban mountains and the upper valley of the Dadou forced inhabitants to seek protection in natural sites. The church of Saint-Salvi-de-Carcavès, for example, shelters behind a massive rocky outcrop that shields it from the prevailing winds. Its position illustrates a common strategy that gives the area a mountain character, even though life unfolds at altitudes of “only” 600 to 800 metres. The houses, both in their design and layout, share similarities with dwellings found higher up in the mountains.
A land as demanding as its people, the upper valley of the Dadou forms a landscape without compromise. And even though modern communication has recently opened it to the world, the people here still know how to merge with their environment in order to make the best use of it.