Circular around the Arpents du Soleil

No, it's not a mirage: those neatly aligned rows climbing up the hill are part of a 5-hectare vineyard. Les Arpents du Soleil, which was reborn in 1995, will give your hike an unusual feel and a touch of the south.

Details

n°3602222

Creation:
16 Jul 2020

Last update:
05 Dec 2025

Last review:
02 Nov 2021

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.47 km
Average duration: 1h 55
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 25 m
Descent: - 25 m
Highest point: 66 m
Lowest point: 29 m

Country: France
District: Vendeuvre (14170)
Start/End: N 49.004583° / W 0.073287°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1613SB
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the foot of the quarry near the Arpents du Soleil wine cellars.

(S/E) Turn right, walk along the old quarries, then the edge of the Bois des Tourelles.

(1) Turn right, enter the Bois des Tourelles, cross it and follow it to the path. Take the path on the left, then immediately turn right. Further on, follow the go-kart track and leave it on your left.

(2) At the D131 road, turn right immediately, go down the path to the first path on the left. Turn left, pass between the two copses, then turn right after the second small wood. Go down the path, pass the pumping station on your right, and continue to the D271.

(3) Take the road on the right towards Grisy, then the first left towards Château de Grisy.

(4) At the château, turn right, walk past the château farm, then enter the village.

(5) Turn right onto Rue de l'École, then left at the crossroads to reach the church. Leave the church and cemetery on your right, then leave the village. At the exit, turn right, cross the railway line and continue to the crossroads.

(6) Turn left, pass in front of the Arpents du Soleil wine cellars and reach the car park at the foot of the quarry (A/D).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 41 m - Car park at the foot of the quarry.
1 : km 0.73 - alt. 47 m - Bois des Tourelles
2 : km 1.94 - alt. 65 m - Route D131
3 : km 3.91 - alt. 38 m - Route D271
4 : km 4.67 - alt. 31 m - Château de Grisy (Vendeuvre)
5 : km 5.23 - alt. 30 m - Turn right at the fork. Near the - La Dives
6 : km 6.14 - alt. 38 m - Carrefour du Soleil
S/E : km 6.47 - alt. 41 m - Car park at the foot of the quarry.

Worth a visit

Les Arpents du Soleil

From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, a vineyard already flourished here. It owes its success to a dry, warm microclimate and grand cru geology, which you can discover thanks to the nearby quarry.
The list of awards won by the wines produced here and the efforts of the march will make you want to taste them, which is possible on the days when the cellars are open.
Guided tours are also organised, allowing you to deepen your knowledge not only of vine cultivation but also of geology and history.

The Bois des Tourelles quarry

The rocky outcrop along the path is surprising in its size and mineral appearance in this lush Normandy countryside.
The top of the natural cliff, which is 18,000 years old and was sculpted by wind erosion at the end of the Ice Age, is a geological curiosity.
We are here in the heart of the Jurassic period. You can see the strata of the Upper Bathonian, with their beautiful ochre colour, and their fissures, which allow the roots of the Arpents du Soleil vines to penetrate deep into the soil, just like in the great Burgundy vintages, which have a similar geology.

The Château de Grisy
This small château has an unostentatious but authentic façade, mostly in the Louis XIII style, with the remainder dating from the reign of Henry II. The main entrance dates from 1702.
Here you can enjoy an old-fashioned atmosphere and the cool shade of its beech tree-lined driveway on summer days.

Grisy Church

Its sturdy tower, resembling a keep, and its buttresses give it the appearance of a fortress.
In fact, the top of the bell tower was surrounded by a crenellated parapet for defensive purposes during the Wars of Religion, when part of the population, including the local lords, converted to Protestantism.
Most of the building dates from the 13th century, with major work completed in the 15th century.

Suggestions and options nearby

Don't hesitate to take a short detour to the mill and castle of Carel.
You can also take the opportunity to visit Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
3.4 / 5

Jean-Paul BUTEAU

02 Nov 2021 at 19:42 3600

Good evening, Benoît,
I see that we share a similar philosophy: every route has its advantages and limitations. As another hiker previously pointed out to me, it would be a good idea to modify this route to include the Moulin de Carel. I don't go there very often, but I haven't lost sight of this goal, and improvements are always welcome.

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benoitrando

29 Oct 2021 at 19:35 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This short route, consisting mainly of long straights across fields, offers a beautiful view of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. Personally, I find the route ideal for people who have slight mobility issues and enjoy getting some fresh air. Needing a little more, I planned ahead and in the morning I did the Panorama sur l'Oudon starting from Le Billot.

Thank you, Jean-Paul, for this route. There's something for everyone.

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gegeenmarche

02 Jun 2021 at 12:38 7200

Jean Paul, hello
It's true that the route should include highlights such as visits to wine cellars, châteaux and mills, but then it should be more detailed and well-argued in that regard. Well, never mind, I still saw two pheasants, so it's not too bad.
And anyway, only those who try nothing do everything right!
Best regards
Gérard

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Jean-Paul BUTEAU

01 Jun 2021 at 11:45 7200

Hello Gérard,
I am truly sorry for you. It's true that the main attraction of this hike is visiting the wine cellars before touring the area.
In terms of attractions, on 3 May, hiker 'Michelzaza' suggested, "Don't miss a visit to the mill and Carel Castle. Take the opportunity to visit St Pierre sur Dives."
This route was one of my very first publications and most likely suffers from my inexperience at the time. To make it more appealing, I will need to review it, return to the site and then modify it.

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gegeenmarche

01 Jun 2021 at 07:49 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hello
unless I'm mistaken, there were 5-star reviews about how interesting this hike was!
Surprising, because there were no particular points that would justify those stars.
This is in comparison to many hikes in the south of Caen along the Orne River.
I was disappointed, as I had travelled 40 km to do it.
Gérard

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Jean-Paul BUTEAU

03 May 2021 at 12:00 7200

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback and comments. I am not going to change the route for the moment, but I will add your suggestions so that other hikers can consider them, and I may modify the route the next time I visit the area.

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Michelzaza

03 May 2021 at 11:38 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Be sure to take a trip to the mill and Carel Castle.
Take the opportunity to visit St Pierre sur Dives.

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Mocassin

12 Oct 2020 at 10:19 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the open air!

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DelamareCaen

10 Sep 2020 at 10:40 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

pleasant, leisurely walk in 2 hours

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Author

Jean-Paul BUTEAU
65 Walks

Visorando member

District: Aucey-la-Plaine (50170)

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