Exploring the Vallée de la Croix

Park in the Town Hall car park on the east side of Saint-Martin’s Church

(S/E) Leave the car park by walking along the south side of the church to reach the forecourt and the entrance gate.
Go down the stairs to the right of the church forecourt and turn left into Rue du Marronnier, then into Rue de la Croix du Bourg. At the crossroads, turn left into Rue de la Vallée, then right into Rue des Chaumes.
At the junction of Rue des Chaumes and Rue des Aireaux, go straight on, then turn right into the valley.
Turn right at the bottom of the valley and continue downhill, passing the sewage treatment plant, until you reach the D144. Follow the D144 for about 100 metres southwards (towards Saint-Laurent-de-Cognac).

(1) Turn right onto the Panteneau country lane in the canton of Saint-Martin. Continue straight on, following the vineyards to the left of the lane, until you reach the entrance to the Bois de Montlambert.
Carry on straight ahead due west and, at the crossroads of the paths, continue straight on for 80 metres.

(2) Turn 45° to the right, leaving the Bois de Montlambert via the Chemin de la Lodge à Montlambert on the edge of the woodland (the woodland is to the right of the track). Continue straight on to the hamlet of Montlambert, then turn left for approximately 150 metres.

(3) Turn right and follow the^GR®4to the D376.

(4) Just before this, turn right and continue straight on to reach the village of Louzac, then turn into Rue de l’Ancienne Mairie.
Carry on straight ahead and climb the steps leading up to the church square.
Walk along the north side of the church and past the vicarage to the war memorial.
Turn right onto Rue de la Vallée to return to the Town Hall car park (A/D).

(1) The Panteneau rural track in the Canton of Saint-Martin. Marking the boundary between the municipalities of Louzac and Saint-Laurent-de-Cognac since the land registry was first established, it lies at the heart of a remarkable natural environment.
(2) As the right of way for the rural track leading out of the Bois de Montlambert has been destroyed by a local resident, having the GPX track saved on your mobile phone may help you find your way whilst awaiting the restoration formally requested from the Mayor of Louzac-Saint-André in accordance with his policing duties.

(S/E) Saint-Martin’s Church (Louzac): Dating from the 12th century, rebuilt in the 14th and 16th centuries, restored in the 16th century and most recently in 2011. It features numerous inscriptions.