Around the Massicart in Verruyes

Park in the car park situated between the church and Rue de l’Étang.

(S/E) From the car park, head east and take the Allée du Stade. At the end of the stadium, walk along its left-hand side and turn right towards the lake, which you’ll follow on the left. Once you reach the car park, follow the access road to the junction with the GR^®.

(1) Turn left onto the^GR® and follow it to the bridge over the stream, which you cross. Turn right, keeping Piersay on your right, ignore the road on the right and continue to the four-way junction.

(2) Turn right and continue along the^GR®. At the junction with a road, carry on straight ahead, following the signposts to La Rebardière. On leaving the hamlet, leave the^GR® and carry on straight ahead. At the left-hand bend, continue straight ahead along the path to the crossroads.

(3) Take the path on the right, which slopes downwards and winds alongside the stream. At the next crossroads, turn right towards the stream until you reach the footbridge over the Ruisseau Massicart.

(4) Cross the footbridge and head towards La Bouchatière until you reach a road.

(5) Take the road on the right until you reach a T-junction. Turn right, pass Les Chaumes and ignore the next road on the left. You have now joined the^GR®364. At the left-hand bend, leave the road and head straight on, following the signposts until you reach a road.

(6) Turn right, then follow the next path to the left and reach La Gauffraire^, which you cross whilst following the^GR® signposts^. Carry on, ignoring any side paths, until you reach a wide track.

(7) Turn right, passing the kennels. At the next junction, leave the^GR®364, which heads off to the right. Turn left and continue to the next junction with the road leading to L’Herbaudière.

(8) Follow the road on the left until you reach the junction with the D24. Cross it carefully and continue along the track opposite. Pass another kennel, then carry on to the next crossroads.

(9) Carry on straight ahead to La Perdillère. Take the road on the right and rejoin the D24.

(10) Follow it carefully for about 300 metres. At the Croix Nérault, just after number 29, take the Chemin de l’Étang to the four-way junction.

(11) Take the left-hand path, which leads straight down to the Rue de l’Étang; cross this carefully to return to the car park near the church (S/E).

Some paths may be wet during the rainy season, so it is important to wear suitable footwear.
The routes taken are small roads, with the exception of the D24, which you cross and follow for 300 metres.

(S/E) At the car park where the walk starts, there are toilets and a charging point for electric cars.
In the village of Verruyes, there is a bar, a grocery shop and a bakery. During the open season, you can also go camping and swim at the Étang du Prieuré Saint-Martin.
You can also book accommodation at Les Terres de l’Étang lodges (see website).

The rural commune of Verruyes has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, and 96 per cent of its land is agricultural. It is best known for its lake, which is open for fishing and swimming.
Saint-Martin Church and the Commanderie de Saint-Rémy (listed as a historic monument) are the main heritage buildings.