Through the woods at Semur-en-Brionnais

The starting point is at the motorhome and coach park on Route de la Craye.

(S/E) Walk up to the top of the car park and take the Allée des Réfugiés Luxembourgeois (sign not very visible). At the end, turn left after the sports ground, then left again to join the Montée des Moines Blancs. Turn right and walk uphill. At the junction, take the grassy path opposite until you reach a small road.

(1) Turn left onto it, then take the^first path on the right and head straight down, due north, ignoring the path that curves slightly to the right, and at the bottom you’ll reach a junction after a section that can sometimes be wet.

(2) Head up to the right, cross the forest and then the D129 to the stadium near the Étang de la Fay.

(3) With your back to the pond, cross the stadium and head for the path along the edge of the woods at the opposite corner. Continue straight on along the edge, pass the path on the right, then head back into the woods until you reach the junction.

(4) Take the sharp right-hand bend to the main road. Cross carefully and continue right for 150 m, then turn left towards Les Igaux. Pass the farm and continue to the junction and the “Bois des Prêtres” signpost.

(5) Turn right and follow the path. Pass a house and, a little further on, take the^first path on the left.

(6) At the bottom of the descent, go up the path on the right and continue until it ends at a bend in the road. Continue straight ahead downhill to the Rochefort farm. Go round the farm (there are barking dogs but they are not aggressive). Join the main road.

(7) Cross with care, and take the Chemin du Moulin straight ahead. Pass the old mill on your left and follow the path straight up to the village entrance on Rue de la Perrière.

(8) About a hundred metres further on, at the little Chapelle de la Perrière, turn left onto the rampart walk. At the passage between two walls, turn right onto the Poterne to reach the historic centre.

(9) You are invited to visit Château Saint-Hugues, the Romanesque church and the convent of the Sisters of Saint-Jean.
After the visit, walk via Place Saint-Hugues then Place Bouthier de Rochefort and head down Chemin Neuf opposite the castle. Continue along Chemin de la Menuiserie. At the lodge, turn left, then right at the end to pass under the Porte au Vau. At the bottom of the street, head up to the right and cross the main road with care to turn left onto the Route de la Craye, which leads to the car park (S/E).

This route does not present any major difficulties, but a few stony sections require caution and suitable footwear.
Picnic area near the Étang de la Fay.

The village of Semur-en-Brionnais.
Saint-Hugues Castle.
Saint-Hilaire Collegiate Church.
La Perrière Chapel.