Coulonge Ponds Circular Loop

Head for Montignac from Sarlat, Les Eyzies, Thenon and from the A89 motorway. Head towards the town centre and park in one of the car parks to reach the Tourist Office on Place Bertrand de Born.

(S/E) Head towards the town hall by following Rue du 4 Septembre on the left. Cross the bridge and, opposite, follow Rue de la Liberté.

(1) Pass a junction, then turn left into Rue de Versailles. Carry on straight ahead to leave Montigna and reach the end of the street, where it meets Rue du Docteur Blondin.

(2) Turn right. At the top of the hill, you can see the village of Les Farges. At the junction, carry on along Chemin de la Ferme until it ends at Route des Picadis.

(3) Carry on to the left, towards the hamlet of Les Picadis, until you reach a sharp bend to the left.

(4) Carry on straight ahead along the path, then keep to the right until you reach the Chemin de la Roche.

(5) Follow it to the left and pass through the hamlet of Laroche along the path that winds its way between the houses. Carry on to the top of the hill.

(6) Turn off onto the path on the right. At the top of the hill, veer right and follow the path straight on until you reach the tarmac road (Route de Bars).

(7) Turn left until you reach the sign for Coulonge. Then turn left, then right. There are ponds on the right with lovely woodland and a view of Coulonges Castle.

(8) Pass to the right of the château along the central path. Walk along the right bank of the pond and continue uphill to the hamlet of La Manérie

(9) Turn left, with a view of Coulonges Castle and the village of Les Farges. Join the tarmac road and follow it to the left until you reach the next junction on the Route de Fanlac.

(10) Follow the road to the left until you reach a Fork in the road.

(11) Turn right to head back towards the village of Montignac. At the end of the descent, continue along the road, ignoring the side paths, until you reach the path on the left.

(12) Leave this and take the Chemin des Gardes on the left, then turn left again, heading uphill.

(13) Continue along the street that extends from the path, then go downhill at the first junction until you reach Rue du Général Foy. Carry on to Rue de la Liberté.

(1) Turn right at the end of the street and cross the bridge to return to the starting point via the reverse route of the outward journey (S/E).

(S/E) Montignac Church
(6) On the way down, you’ll see a dry-stone hut.
(12) You’ll have a view of Puy Robert Castle and the valley.
-Visit Montignac.