In search of the ‘Sabot de Vénus’ via the Croix de Fer

From Pont-sur-Yonne, take the D976 towards Bray-sur-Seine, then turn right onto the D29 towards Sergines. The starting point is the town hall car park on Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville.

(S/E) On leaving the car park, turn left, then immediately left again onto Rue du Foyer Rural (behind the town hall). Then take the second right to join Rue Geoffroy de Sargines. At the Fork in the road, turn left and cross the D470 to reach Rue du Cimetière. After the cemetery, follow the path due north until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Carry straight on, passing the next two turn-offs on the right, and continue through the left-hand and right-hand bends. Head towards the small wood, passing the turn-off on the left and the one on the right, until you reach another T-junction.

(2) Turn left. Follow the edge of the woods, keeping them on your right. Stay on the same track until you reach the road.

(3) Carefully cross the road from Pont-sur-Yonne to Bray-sur-Seine (D976) and follow the small road to Courlon-sur-Yonne for 600 metres until you reach the first cross-track at the end of the wooded strip.

(4) Take the path leading down towards a farm. You’ll come out onto a road at the Ferme du Bas.

(5) Turn left and take the first right at the last building. Continue straight on along the edge of the woodland, keeping it on your left. Pass a turning on the right and, 50 metres further on, you’ll reach a crossroads (^GR®113).

(6) Turn left at the edge of the woodland and join the D470.

(7) Cross this road carefully, making a quick first turn left then right to head down into the Bois du Fay, following the main path (ignore the side paths). You’ll come to a three-way junction.

(8) Turn left onto the Croix de Fer route. Follow the main path and cross the woods. At the last junction before leaving the woods, turn left. On leaving the woods, turn right to reach the D976.

(9) Cross this road with care, then turn left and take the first path on the right. Follow it towards Sergines. At the next junction, turn right towards the woods. At the edge of the woods, turn left. You’ll come to another junction.

(10) Set off along the path leading downhill, then after 200 m, turn left. The return route to Sergines is via Rue Fernand Maître. Ignore two paths on the left to reach the end of the street at a school complex.

(11) Head straight on into Rue Serré, then turn left onto Chemin des Fossés. Turn right when you reach Rue du Marché aux Chevaux. Turn left when you reach Place de l’Église, then left again onto Rue de l’Hôtel de Ville to return to the starting point (S/E).

(S/E) Nearby.
Shops & services: grocery shop, bakery, café, restaurant, pizzerias, library, post office, Yonne Nord School of Music and Theatre, Maison France Services, police station, fire station, GP, chemist’s, nurses.
Leisure & sports facilities: village hall and multi-purpose hall, football pitch, pétanque court (International Pétanque Centre: a voluntary organisation providing high-level training), multi-sports halls (gymnasium, dojo). Campsite.

(2) Viewpoint over the Seine Valley
(9) Viewpoint over the Yonne Valley
(S/E) Nearby: Saint-Tiburce Church and its organ. The statue of Blaise Rigault and, at the Town Hall, the halberd confiscated from the leader of his opponents.