Around Saint-Laurent, Bindre and Saint-Léonard

You can park at the junction of the Mare and Saint-Laurent paths.

(S/E) Head south on a yellow-marked trail towards Balgan, Cano, Bindre and the bird sanctuary. Follow the path along the edge of a field, then take Chemin de Balgan on the left and head towards the Hippodrome roundabout.

(1) Follow the yellow-marked trail towards Cano. At the junction of the Cano and Balgan paths, the markings become dual: red and white (GR®34) and yellow.

(2) Opposite, follow the signs for the hamlet of Cano, crossing via a sunken path. At the end of this, turn left for a view of the marshes of the Séné Bird Reserve, off the marked return route.

(3) Retrace your steps and continue left towards the nearby hamlet of Bindre, indicated on an information panel.

(4) At the hamlet, turn around and head back to the junction after the hamlet of Cano.

(2) Turn right towards Balgan, then follow the path to the Chenal de Saint-Léonard. The path is very well signposted in red, white and yellow.

(5) Cross the channel via a bridge with a footpath and cycle path well protected from road traffic. After the bridge, turn immediately right towards Theix and the hamlet of Saint-Goustan.

(6) At the entrance to the hamlet, turn back to cross the bridge again.

(5) Continue along the Route de Nantes until you reach the yellow-marked path on the left. You will then come to the Chemin de Saint-Laurent and the chapel of the same name.

(7) Continue a little further along this path to reach the car park (S/E).

Unless we’re mistaken, there are no public toilets or taps to fill your water bottle.

Good walking shoes, or even boots in the rainy season, are essential.

The scenery is lovely and the walk is dotted with information boards about points of interest along the route. We’ll leave you to discover them. They cover agriculture, religion, sunken lanes, manor houses and even leprechauns!

Throughout the route, take your time to admire the scenery, particularly the light at sunrise and sunset.