When the Romans lead us to Marson

Take the Ogalo bus, line 36, to the Les Romans stop.

(S/E) Take the Voie Romaine downhill; this is also the^GR®®3, marked in white and red. Walk along the Bois de Pocé and reach a four-way crossroads at the entrance to Riou.

(1) Leave the^GR®®, turn right, continue through the woods and stay on this path, ignoring the paths branching off to the right and left. You’ll reach a crossroads marked by two pillars.

(2) Pass between them and continue straight ahead to quickly reach a multi-way junction.

(3) Head diagonally left along the Montée du Château to reach the castle.

(4) Take the path on the left, then the steps shortly afterwards on the right, go down the Chemin du Tertre and then turn right onto Rue Fricotelle. At the church, turn right onto the Montée du Château to return to the castle.

(4) Then head back in the opposite direction to return to the multi-way junction you passed earlier.

(3) Then turn left onto the^GR®®3, marked in white and red. Enter the woods on the left and continue until you reach a T-junction, near the metal gate leading to the École Nationale d’Équitation du Cadre Noir in Saumur.

(5) Keep left on the^GR®® and reach the Étang de Marson junction.

(6) Leave the^GR®® here to cross the stream, continue on and, after passing the^second high-voltage power line, you will come to another junction.

(7) Take a narrow path on the left. After a left-hand bend, pass under the
^first high-voltage power line and reach another junction.

(8) Stay on the path to the left and now pass under the^second high-voltage power line to reach the Route de l’Étang; continue to the right to reach the Chemin de la Croix junction.

(9) Turn right onto this path, pass in front of the Croix de Marson and reach the crossroads of the hamlet of La Noue. Turn left at a 90° angle to reach the edge of the Bois de Godebert.

(10) Walk along the edge of the woods on the right, then enter them again on the left. Pass under the power lines and past a cemetery, then cross the D305 with care before entering the village of Riou. At the village exit, you will come to the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Continue opposite, retracing your steps in the opposite direction to return to the Les Romans bus stop (S/E).

(4) Picnic area.

(S/E) After the ‘end of built-up area’ sign, you can see Pocé Castle on the left.
(4) Exterior view of Marson Castle.
(4) To see the Land Art exhibition, take the botanical trail created by volunteers, featuring numerous works to discover along the way.
(4) Sainte-Croix Church in Marson
(6) Marson Pond.
Between (10) and (1) Rue du Pavé, take a look at the many cellars lining Rue du Pavé.