Montfuron to Villemus circular – long version

(S/E) From the (large) car park in Montfuron, head for the D455. Turn sharply left onto Rue de Villemus, then turn left again, heading north, onto Rue du Moulin à Vent (marked as a cul-de-sac). Indeed! Carry on more or less straight ahead, avoiding private property. The small residential road turns into a track. Climb up to the T-junction in the countryside.

(1) Take the track to the left and rejoin the D455.

(2) Follow it carefully to the right until you reach the Col de Montfuron.

(3) Cross the D907 road with care and continue along the track opposite until you reach a fork.

(4) At a place called La Colle, continue to the left through the woodland and follow the PR® markings (yellow line) to the beautiful church at Villemus.

(5) Head down the paved slanting street to the right, then, after 20 m, turn left, where a flight of steps leads to the road opposite, which you follow for 20 m.

(6) Take the paved slanting street right-hand side and head down to the Place de la Fontaine.

(7) Continue straight on. Cross the Place des Tilleuls and then turn left.Pass the town hall and, at the fork (stream), take the Chemin de la Fermerie on the right, avoiding the Chemin de la Source on the left.

(8) At La Fermerie, go up the path on the right, then take the first path on the right and continue climbing to the left. After passing an old sheepfold, the path turns sharply to the right, heading south. Continue straight on until you reach the road opposite, which you should follow downhill to the junction with the PR® walk marked with a yellow line.

(9) At the corner of the road, take the path leading uphill to the left and rejoin a junction you passed on the way there.

(4) Carry on straight ahead, following the opposite route to the outward journey, crossing the pass, and you’ll come to another fork that you also passed on the outward journey.

(2) Continue along the D455 road until you reach a junction where the road meets a track.

(10) Turn right onto the road towards Moulin de Plâtre and follow the yellow markings. You’ll reach another junction at elevation 643.

(11) Turn left. Please note: a few hundred metres further on, there are no more markings. Turn right and head down the valley, which is wonderfully wild. There are plenty of excellent sloes, as many as you like, a little further down, in season. Do not join the D956.

(12) A short stop to admire the old Plaster Mill and the information boards. Turn left, heading due south, then left again 100 metres further on. Follow the yellow-striped PR® markings, taking care not to go too far down into the valley. Admire the Montfuron Windmill situated on the ridge to your left as you head back up towards Montfuron.

(13) Walk past the^third historic mill before reaching the square in Montfuron and, subsequently, the car park at the starting point (S/E).

During or afterwards: Café Restaurant des Tilleuls in Villemus, Chez Éric or Bric Bar Broc on the square in Montfuron.