Eglise et Jardin botanique Saint-Xist Le Clapier Heritage

Saint Xist is situated in the commune of Clapier, between this village and that of Fondamente. It's bell-tower completes its elegant architecture and serves as a landmark for the small hamlet nestling at its feet. At he foot of the plateau du Guilhaumard, reputed for its rich flora and fauna, come and discover the Saint Xist botanical garden.

The records from ancient times (the church of Saint Xist is mentioned in a Vabres l'Abbaye Cartulary of 940) of this almost disappeared for good. It was in the early 1980s that the publication "Sauvegarde Rouergue" (Safeguard Rouergue) became interested in this little church highlighting the importance of saving this heritage. An association was created in 1995 and since then it has continued to work to to give the church and its surroundings its lustre of past centuries.

During the restoration of the church of Saint Xist a medicinal herb garden was planted as in former times in monasteries. Almost 300 different species have been planted from aromatic plants to the most toxic. An occasion to learn to recognise the plants that surround us. Its patronage by the Montpellier plant garden demonstrates, if that were needed, its quality and diversity.