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Le Capitelles

 

The garrigue, barren red clay heath land covered in chalk stones, surrounds the village of Aragon on which only the most robust Mediterranean vegetation that can resist the dry summer heat will grow: holm-oak, lavender, thyme, boxwood and juniper. Nearby, chalk stone slabs are picked from the small cultivated lots of ground, the only building material close to hand which is used for all sorts of construction; first and foremost the ‘capitelles’ or ‘cabanes’, small stone shelters to protect farmers and viticulteurs, carretales (stone paths), and clapas (enclosure walls.)
 
A path with posted signs enables walkers to see a few of the hundreds of capitalles surrounding Aragon. A small Dry Stone Museum at the Prieuré illustrates techniques used to create these stone shelters.

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