Around the Tireau Valley

Start car park: located on the D174, next to the wash house, near the bridge over the Chambon.

(S/E) Cross the Chambon and head west, following the river. After the left-hand bend, leave the river and head uphill. Ignore the path on the right and continue to a T-junction.

(1) Turn left and you’ll reach Chemin de Fontarabie. Head right and, further on, take Chemin de Quereux on the left for 100 m.

(2) At the next junction, turn left onto Chemin du Bivouac. Take the first path on the right until you reach Route des Garneries.

(3) Turn left and, after the bend, carry straight on, ignoring the turnings to the right and left, until you reach the small roundabout. Continue straight on, ignoring the road on the left and also the path on the left after the bend. Continue to the next junction.

(4) Turn left onto the sloping path and follow it to Chemin de Drahé, which you take on the left, up to the top of the hill, at the crossroads with the picnic tables.

(5) Take the path heading north until you reach the hamlet of Drahé, at a five-way junction.

(6) Head straight on into Impasse de la Vallée and reach the village pond.

(7) Turn left and head north. Ignore the first path on the left and continue to a crossroads.

(8) Turn left and, at the next path, turn right until you reach a T-junction near the cemeteries.

(9) Turn left. Cross the small road and continue straight ahead along Rue de la Poinerie. After a right-hand bend, just before a communal field, you’ll reach a narrow lane on the left.

(10) Take this and follow it until you reach Rue du Colombier. Turn right onto this street, continue to the next crossroads and carry on straight ahead.

(11) Immediately on the left, take Chemin de l'Ardila and continue to the D8. Cross it carefully, continue straight ahead along Rue de la Cueille to the end, and reach Rue du Paradis. Turn left onto this street to reach the D8. Cross it again with care.
See practical information.

(12) Take the path on the left. Cross a meadow and open and close several gates.
At the end, near the Bédane mill, turn left along the Chambon. Just before the stone-paved climb, on the right is the Saint-Carlais wash house (off the route). At the top of the hill, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(13) Turn right for 120 m and rejoin the D174. Follow it carefully to the right until you reach the wash house at the start on the left (S/E).

This walk, which is not particularly difficult, was undertaken in dry weather. In wet weather, some sections may be very muddy. For this reason, it is advisable to wear suitable footwear.
At (12), if the possible presence of animals in the meadow frightens some people, it is always possible to continue, with caution, along the D8 to the path on the left, just before the bridge over the Chambon.
There are picnic tables along the route, at (S/E) and (5).
In the village of La Crèche, you’ll find all sorts of refreshments.

The village of La Crèche has become a major transport hub since the A10 and A83 motorways were built.
The Roman Bridge in the commune of Azay-le-Brûlé at a place called Valette.