Riez Circular Route

To reach the starting point, head towards the village of Bauvin (59221). The car park is located on Rue François Pouille, opposite the Pierre Legrain Sports Hall.

(S/E) With your back to the sports hall, head to the junction on the left and start the circular route by turning left towards the north onto the Chemin d’Epinoy (yellow markings). At the small chapel, take the Chemin de la Briquetterie, which heads south-west across the fields and joins a T-junction.

(1) Turn right, heading north, onto the Chemin de l’Épinette. At the junction with Rue Léon Gambetta, turn left and continue along the path that extends from the street, heading south-west. Continue for approximately 600 m along this path until you reach a Fork in the road.

(2) Carry on straight ahead, following the yellow markings. The track turns south and, after a left-hand bend, joins Chemin Blanc in the commune of Meurchin.

(3) At the junction, turn right and then right again onto the path that leads across the fields, heading south-west towards the Marais de la Briquette.

(4) Continue along the path between the two ponds until you reach the Deûle Canal towpath, then turn right heading north. Stay on the towpath for about 1.7 km until you reach the white gate and the first house, 50 metres before the bridge.

(5) Leave the towpath and take the small path on the right, then cross the Deûle Canal, heading left onto Rue Jules Guesde. As you come off the first bridge, turn right towards the Ilôt de la Haute Deûle.

(6) Walk round the island on the right-hand side, first following the Deûle Canal and then the Aire Canal, before returning to the bridge to cross it again in the opposite direction. Take Rue Jules Guesde until the first junction on the left.

(7) Turn left onto the hairpin bend to reach the towpath and continue to the right, heading north-east, until you reach a gate.

(8) Leave the towpath and head right into the wooded area. Follow the yellow markings, which will lead you to the Michel Canin ponds at Riez-à-Vanneaux. Head towards the small graffiti-covered building and go round the two ponds on your right. Halfway along the^second pond, you’ll come to a signpost.

(9) It directs you to go down the path and continue straight on. Follow the signs and the yellow markings which lead to Rue Aragon. Turn left, then right into Rue Étienne Dolet. Continue until you reach Collège Étienne Dolet, then turn right into Rue Guy Mollet. Continue for about 150 metres.

(10) At the bend in Rue Guy Mollet, turn left onto the Sentier du Long Bardeau heading south-east. Cross Rue Ferrer and continue along this path to Parc Pierre Bérégovoy, then walk through the park.

(11) Leave the park and continue along Rue Pasteur, which extends from Rue Louis Dorlet, heading south-east and following the yellow markings. At the junction with Rue de la Gare, turn left and then right into the Résidence des Tilleuls. Carry on straight ahead to rejoin Rue François Pouille and your car park (S/E).

There are no drinking fountains along the route.
Picnic tables at the Marais de Riez and the Michel Canin Ponds
See the car park

Marcel Cabiddu Park