Circular route around the centre of Fontenilles

Start from the church forecourt. Park in the town hall car park (or, if full, on Boulevard de la République).

(S/E) Walk behind the church, then take Rue des Payroules to join the Chemin des Starguets and follow it. The path overlooks the Aussonnelle, then descends into a hollow where the Ruisseau de Fonbrennes flows, joining the Aussonnelle shortly afterwards. After a bend, head uphill and take the Chemin de Fonbrennes. Follow it almost to the end of the climb. Cross the Fombrennes stream and you’ll then come to the first junction.

(1) Turn left onto the Chemin des Hauts de Fonbrennes, which becomes a stony track after the first houses. Join the D65, the Route de La Salvetat. Then turn left towards Fontenilles. Pass in front of Carget Castle and its solar farm, and continue until you reach the entrances to the ‘Des Tilleuls’ and ‘De la Plaine’ housing estates on the left, just before the roundabout at the entrance to Fontenilles.

(2) Turn left onto the Clos de la Plaine and go to the end of the street. The street ends at a roundabout; take the dirt track opposite the street you have just followed. After a few metres, rejoin the road at the Impasse du Village. Follow it to the next junction.

(3) Turn into the^first street on the right – this is the ‘Passage du Village’ – and continue to the D37, ‘Avenue du 8 mai 1945’. Pass Energym on your right and cross the junction carefully, then turn left towards the village centre. Next, take the^first tarmac road on the right, the ‘Chemin de Lascrabères’. Continue to the footpath on the left leading to the schools.

(4) At the raised pedestrian crossing, turn left onto the footpath and cross the Crabères stream via the wooden bridge. At the end of the bridge, enter Lascrabères Park through the gate, which is open during the day only. Walk through the park and exit to the right onto Avenue du 8 mai 1945. Continue to the traffic lights, cross with care and turn left to return to the church forecourt (S/E).

It is advisable to bring high-visibility vests (yellow vests).
Drinking water and toilets are available in the post office building when it is open to the public.
Public toilets are available on the Place du Souvenir, outside the Maison des Loisirs.
On the square, opposite the church, the café ‘Chez Lulu’ is a great place to enjoy a drink after your ride, with a lovely terrace and, at lunchtime on weekdays, a home-style meal.
There are no particular difficulties on the route, which is mostly flat.

(S/E) On Saturday mornings, the forge is open and in operation thanks to its volunteers, which makes for a pleasant way to round off the walk.
In Cazalères Park, there is a magnificent rain tree, built entirely by volunteers from the forge
The church has been fully restored.