Around Laize-Clinchamps via the mills

To return to the starting point, take Rue Léonard Gilles and park in the large car park situated between the La Colinerie lodge and the village hall.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, follow Rue Léonard Gilles to the right to join the departmental road. At the end of this street, on the right, you can see the former town hall of the village of Clinchamps-sur-Orne. Cross the main road at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight on along the village street. Ignore the junctions and follow this street to the end. As you walk along the street, admire the pretty houses built from Caen stone.

(1) At the end of the village street, opposite the pony club, turn left onto the farm track. At the end of this track, turn right onto the small road (Chemin de Caen) and follow it to the end. Then turn right.

(2) Leave the road and turn right onto the small track that leads down towards the Val de Laize. Once at the bottom, turn left onto the Chemin du Leat.

(3) You’ll arrive in front of the Moulin du Val de Laize. Cross the bridge over the Laize on your right, then, at the end of the road, turn right onto the track beneath the quarries. As you follow this track, you’ll be able to admire an old mill on your right.

(4) On your left, you can see a geological site. The Chemin des Carrières leads onto a departmental road. Follow it to your right to enter Laize-la-Ville. Pass the municipal library. Cross the road at the war memorial (take care – there is no pedestrian crossing here), then take the Route du Pont Rouge opposite you and go past the first junction.

(5) Turn right onto the path between the two large stone buildings.

(6) At the end of the path, walk alongside the stone wall on your left, then join the grassy path you can see a little further on to the right. Follow this path to the last houses, then continue to the first junction on your right.

(7) Turn right. Cross the D562a carefully to join the path opposite. Follow this path as far as the houses. When you reach the end, on the D41 opposite the wash house, do not cross the road.

(8) Turn left and immediately take the Chemin des Bouttières on your left, which climbs slightly. As you follow this path, you’ll pass the Bouttières farm on your left. Carry on straight ahead until you reach a wooden house on your right.

(9) Just past the wooden house, take the path on the right and follow it to the tennis courts.

(10) At the tennis courts, you can take a flight of steps leading up to the village hall car park, or you can continue to the end of the path and take the 4 or 5 steps on your left to reach the car park (S/E).

The route alternates between small roads and footpaths. Please wear suitable footwear.

Admire the old Caen stone houses and the mills along the banks of the River Laize. Stop off for a while at the Laize geological site.