Bonrepos-sur-Aussonnelle circular

Park in the car park at the Fontenilles sports ground next to the sports centre.

(S/E) Opposite the sports grounds, turn right onto the dirt track running alongside the Résidence des Magnolias, which initially passes between the two sections of the Lespèche industrial estate.

(1) Continue to the left until you reach the southern end of the estate.

(2) Take the path on the right which winds its way uphill through the Bois des Magnolias. On leaving the woods, continue along the path by turning left and follow the edge of the woods. Stop at the highest point of the route to enjoy the view. The path marks the boundary between the Gers, on the right as you climb, and the Haute-Garonne, on the left as you climb. Continue along the path.

(3) Turn left to head down towards the village centre.

(4) At the bottom of the descent, turn right onto the footpath, cross the departmental road at the pedestrian crossing and continue to the bridge over the Bosc.

(5) Just before the bridge, turn left and follow the Ruisseau du Bosc. At the end of the path, take the footbridge and enter the village park. Walk through the park, keeping a pond on your left. At the roundabout (dovecote), turn left onto Allée du Pigeonnier. At the end (with the town hall opposite), turn right and head towards the church.

(6) Then turn right onto Rue de Guigneriou (red and white^GR®®86markings).

(5) Return along the footpath in the opposite direction to the outward journey until you reach the junction before the climb.

(4) Turn right onto Chemin de Mondou, which becomes Chemin Garousset as you cross into the next municipality. Continue along this road, which is normally closed to traffic, until you reach the start of the hamlet of Taillade.

(7) Turn left onto the path leading to Les Magnolias. Opposite the small pond, take the path on the right which goes round Les Magnolias and leads to the roundabout.

(8) Cross the pedestrian crossing in two stages and continue past the indoor tennis courts. Then turn left at the corner of the sports ground to reach the car park (S/E).

Next to Bonrepos Town Hall, there is a fountain with a tap providing drinking water.

The climb up through the Bois des Magnolias can be muddy and therefore slippery; wear suitable footwear – walking poles may be helpful for this part of the route.

To make the most of the two magnificent viewpoints, a pair of binoculars will come in handy.

From the highest point of the route, you can admire the view over the Gers, including the Lias radar station (blue sphere) and the Chaü mill next to the radio tower, as well as the view over Fontenilles and the sports ground.

On the descent immediately afterwards, you’ll be treated to views of the Haute-Garonne, Saint-Lys (water tower, church) and the Pyrenees.

In Bonrepos’s municipal park, you can have a picnic, play table tennis and relax.
The dovecote along the route has been reconstructed; whilst not the original, it is modelled on those found in the region.

In front of the town hall, there is a former weighing station, and you can admire some trompe-l’œil paintings in the surrounding area.

The village of Bonrepos was the site of battles fought by the Maquis during the Second World War. There is a memorial at the entrance to the village on the Saint-Lys side, and several commemorative plaques at the sites of the battles.

Don’t miss the agroforestry area next to the sheep farm.

At the entrance to Les Magnolias, you can admire the small fishing pond, which serves as a water reservoir; it’s a very pleasant walk around it.