Walk along the Yzeron from Fort du Bruissin

Start from the car park in front of Fort du Bruissin.

(S/E) Take the path leading into the forest on the right-hand side of the car park.

(1) Return to the road as soon as you see a path leaving the forest on your right. Continue to the right for about 100 metres until you reach a bus turning area.

(2) Take the road on your left and continue for about 300 m.

(3) Turn left onto a tarmac cul-de-sac which leads onto a dirt track. Walk for about 50 metres, then take a path on your right which descends alongside the forest. You will soon come out onto the road known as Chemin du Grand Moulin; turn left to follow the well-maintained path (though muddy in wet weather) that runs alongside it. When you reach the Grand Moulin (now a Buddhist and yoga centre), follow the road, cross the bridge over the Yzeron and continue to the sharp bend to the right.

(4) Take the path on the left-hand side of the road, at the corner of a house. Stay on this lovely dirt track which winds along the River Yzeron. Along the way, the old wash houses are worth a look. After about a kilometre, the path opens out into a large meadow. Stay on the path which crosses it and leads you to a road (Rue du Cimetière).

(5) Turn left and cross the footbridge over the Yzeron. Then follow the poorly marked path, crossing over a small stream (dry in summer; large rocks help you cross it) immediately to your right after the footbridge. This very pleasant path runs alongside the Yzeron for almost a kilometre and comes to a bridge on the right.

(6) Do not cross the bridge; instead, take the hairpin bend on the left, heading uphill. Continue uphill until you reach the edge of the forest, then follow the path on your right, running alongside fields of grain (if it is the season). The path turns near some houses and becomes a track suitable for vehicles. Continue to the crossroads.

(7) Turn left. The road soon becomes an uneven, stony track leading downhill. You’ll reach a crossroads where two GR® and one GRP® trails meet.

(8) Turn left and enter the forest again. Cross the ford over a small stream.

(9) Take the second path on the right, into the forest. Follow it until you reach the RD75.

(10) Leave the signposted route and take the pavement along the main road to the left, heading uphill towards Francheville. Pass three dead-end streets on your left and continue to the next junction.

(11) Turn left into Rue du Château d’Eau. Just before the bend, take the track on the left for a few dozen metres, then enter the forest via a path on the right, where barriers block the way for bikes and motorbikes. This path leads directly to the Fort du Bruissin car park (S/E).

You can reach the start of this route by taking the TCL C20 bus, which terminates at Fort du Bruissin at point (2).

Alternatively, there is a large car park in front of the fort.

There are no water supply points on this route. A café (La Chopinette) is open on weekdays only at the 308-metre mark, at the junction of the main road and the Chemin du Fort.

(S/E) Fort du Bruissin: this Séré de Rivières fort now houses the technical services of the town of Francheville and is only open to visitors during special events such as Heritage Days.