Around Les Cézeaux

Start at the “La Chaux” tram stop.

(S/E) On the left-hand side of the tram track – the only side permitted – head towards the campus to the south-east, following the mural. Go under the bridge, then continue to follow the tram line, passing the “Cézeaux-Pellez” stop and taking the right-hand bend at the corner of the modern Polytech building. Shortly afterwards, look out for a trompe-l’œil wall on the right.

(1) Carry on along the tram track round the left-hand bend, past the beautiful modern Sigma building, pass the “Campus” stop and ignore the yellow signposts directing you to turn right. The tram line descends from the Cézeaux plateau

(2) Just before the “Margeride” stop, leave the tram line and turn right onto a tarmac path, joining Rue Roche-Genès and following it to the right. About a hundred metres further on, turn left onto Rue du Capitaine Diéderich. Shortly afterwards, you’ll notice a superb cherry tree in a garden on the right. At the junction, cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead along Rue de Laschamps.

(3) At the junction with Rue de la Ganne, carry on straight ahead, still on Rue de Laschamps. You’ll come to a gravel path; follow it to the right, with detached houses on your right and gardens on your left. About 200 metres further on, turn left onto a path at a wooden post bearing a Yellow Disc sign. You’ll come to a footbridge over the Artière.

Do not cross the river (do not follow the signposting) but turn left onto the path that runs alongside the Artière on your right. You’ll come to a red footbridge; cross the Artière and turn right onto the path that runs alongside the river. Note the two beautiful poplars near the footbridge, just after you’ve crossed. Return to the first footbridge and continue straight on along the path, following the Yellow Disc signposting. Follow this signposting until otherwise indicated. The path leads out onto an esplanade near a junction.

(4) Follow the signposting straight on, crossing Rue Crevenmacher at the traffic lights, then walk about fifty metres along Avenue Jean Curabet to find the entrance to Parc Franck Bayle on your right. Once in the park, continue to follow the signposting until you emerge on the other side, opposite the entrance to Aubière Cemetery.

A round trip through the cemetery allows you to discover a beautiful Lebanese cedar and enjoy an interesting view of the Cézeaux plateau. Exit through the same gate and follow the signposts to the left. Turn left onto the wide Allée des Tilleuls, which is, indeed, lined with lime trees.

(5) At the end of this avenue, cross the D777 and continue along the path opposite. Carry on straight ahead along the paths at the next two junctions, following the signposts. At the third junction, the yellow signposting is no longer visible, but carry on straight ahead to reach Rue Roche-Genès, opposite the Sigma building. Ignore the Yellow Disc signposting which heads off to the right and follow the street to the left until you reach the junction with Rue Pasteur.

Head up this street to the right and note, on the embankment opposite, the numerous ventilation chimneys from the old wine cellars. Cross Rue Pasteur quickly, then take the steps on the left which lead up the embankment and continue along the path. More chimneys are visible on the left.

(6) You’ll come to a street, Allée de la Cave Madame, and follow it to the right. At the first junction, carry straight on. At the second junction, you’ll find yourself facing Allée de la Croix de l’Arbre. Turn left, carry straight on again at the next junction, then you’ll reach Avenue Jean Noëllet.

First turn left then right, to follow Rue de Gravenoire. Keep to the right-hand side of the street and, take care, after a ‘end of 30 zone’ sign, look out for a path on the right. Follow it to reach a park. Head left across the grass, walking alongside the houses on your left, to enjoy an unobstructed view of the Saint-Jacques cemetery below and the Puy de Dôme.

(7) Join the path slightly below and follow it to the right. At the end of the dog-walking area, at a small roundabout, turn onto the path on the right towards some large rocks at the edge of the park which block vehicle access. Leave the park via this path and continue along the road.

At the Stop sign, turn right, cross Avenue Jean Noëllet at the first pedestrian crossing, then follow the very narrow path opposite (which is a bit overgrown with celandine in the summer – it doesn’t sting) between the properties. When you reach Rue Pasteur, cross the road (take care) and take the street opposite, which becomes a no-entry road about fifty metres further on. Carry on straight ahead until you reach Rue des Rivaux, then turn right to reach the ‘La Chaux’ tram stop (S/E).

Easy walk, comfortable shoes recommended.

A town walk. Some may find the sections through the housing estates a bit long.

A few photos here

(S/E) The mural at the ‘La Chaux’ stop was created to mark the tram’s tenth anniversary in 2016 by three graffiti collectives:

63e Paragraff collective: Mister Ema, Iggy, Motte, Keymi, Pipa Fizz T, Sker
End to End collective: Apogé, Meame414, Cofee, Feft, Epok, Kaer, Marthe, Repy, Rino, Waro
Siempre collective: Awi, Byen, Neuf, Sirob, Snake2; Guests: Kuter, Nuit

Thank you to them for this superb production.

(6) Like many villages around Clermont and in the Allier Valley, Aubière was once a wine-growing town; on this hillside in particular, there are more than 80 private wine cellars. You can find out more at the Wine Museum.