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The start is on the left bank of the Creuse, just after the bridge spanning the river at Fontgombault.
The route is marked in yellow: this is route no. 14 of the Brenne walking trails, entitled “left bank, right bank” (signpost).
(S/E) Take the path running alongside the river towards the north-west.
(1) When you reach the site of the Chapelle Saint-Julien and the developed caves, take the path leading down in front of the chapel entrance to follow the Creuse river once more.
The path is flanked by cliffs on the left and the river on the right. Ignore a path leading uphill on the left and continue straight on across a meadow. Carry on straight ahead at the next junction; the path then runs along the edge of the woods, between the cliffs and the field.
(2) At the junction, take a short detour to the right along the banks of the Creuse, then head back up to the left towards the Village du Bois.
(3) At the road junction, turn right (signposted) and carry on straight ahead at the next junction.
At the junction by the Grange Neuve rural lodge, carry on straight on towards Lurais.
(4) Once past the cemetery, turn right onto the Chemin du Moulin, which leads to Lurais beach, where you can stop for a picnic.
(5) Turn right to cross the metal bridge.
(6) Initially, leave the D50E road heading up to Sançais and turn right onto the D950 for 50 metres. Cross the road carefully and follow a small path running alongside a low wall on the left. Continue straight ahead along the path, crossing the D50E, then follow this road north-east into Sançais. Pass the access road to Jartraux on your right, then the one on your left towards La Dubellerie, until you reach a T-junction. Take the road on the right and follow the Yellow Cross signposting until you reach a Y-junction.
(7) Leave the road and turn right onto a forest path which joins the old railway line.
(8) Turn left to join the cycle path, which is better maintained further on.
When you reach a road, turn right towards Preuilly-la-Ville and continue to the church.
(9) Turn left onto the Chemin des Roches, then, as you come out of the bend, take the grassy path on the right.
(10) Turn right at the cross (newGRP®® route, unlike the current map). The path branches off to the left to reach an old railway bridge. Pass underneath it, then 200 m further on, turn right.
(11) Turn right at a new cross (yellow andGRP®® markings). The path becomes a small street in the hamlet of Les Cloîtres. Turn left towards the bridge of the old railway line.
(12) Just before the bridge, take the small flight of steps made from wooden logs, which leads to the Voie Verte; follow this to the left. Walk past the water treatment plant, then take the D62 on the right, which leads down towards the abbey.
(13) Once you’re back on the D950, cross it carefully and continue straight on to admire the abbey site, then retrace your steps along the surrounding wall. Take the D950 to the right again to pass through the village of Fontgombault and reach the junction leading back to the bridge on the right. Cross the bridge, then head downhill to the right to return to the starting point (S/E).
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