Circular des Templiers à la Saucelle

On the edge of the Senonches Forest, north of Perche, La Saucelle is a real crossroads between different historical and natural sites. On this short route, come and discover what the Knights Templar brought to the village. It was here, in La Saucelle, that they first settled in the Drouais region, and even in Eure-et-Loir. This settlement, in 1165, was made possible thanks to donations from local lords. These were largely plots of land in the Carnutes Forest. The Knights Templar cleared these plots and all those that followed, creating the vast plain that surrounds the village.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.57 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 20 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 204 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 180 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available near the church.

No signposts

(S/E) Start with your back to the church, first turn right then left to pass in front of the restaurant, then take the Route des Châtelets. Continue to the water tower.

(1) Turn right onto the path between the fields and continue to the junction with the small pumping station building.

(2) Continue straight ahead until the next crossroads, near Les Pesles, a few metres after an EDF electricity pole.

(3) Turn right onto the old Roman road, Chemin d'Orléans à Evreux. Turn left at the entrance to the hamlet to pass between the houses: ruins of a tithe barn on the left and the Templars' lodgings on the right. At the cross, follow the road downhill towards two small ponds: on the right, a communal pond on the site of an old mill (picnic table) and, on the left, a private pond in an old quarry. Cross the Gervaine and quickly reach the crossroads.

(4) Cross carefully and continue straight ahead on the path that climbs gently towards the edge of the Bois de la Rue, leading to a crossroads.

(5) Follow the edge of the woods on the right along Chemin des Graviers, which turns into a small road at the buildings. You will arrive at the D146 stop sign, near the hamlet of La Rue.

(6) Cross the crossroads carefully and continue straight ahead. Pass La Couvertière and arrive at the entrance to a path on the left, at the corner of a property and the last EDF cement post.

(7) Turn left onto this path, across the fields, towards Bois du Paradis.

(8) At the edge of the woods (private), turn right between the woods and fields. The path then leaves the edge and turns right to rejoin the D155.3.

(9) Cross carefully and follow the path opposite, between the hedge and a power line, to reach the access road to the commandery (private property).

(10) Turn right and arrive at the D316.2.

(11) Turn left and cross the Gervaine again. Pass by the Ferme d'O and its small pond, and follow the road to the car park near the church of La Saucelle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 191 m - Saucelle Church, car park
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 198 m - Water tower
  3. 2 : km 1.01 - alt. 195 m - Pumping station
  4. 3 : km 1.52 - alt. 186 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.29 - alt. 180 m - Crossroads of the D316.6 and D155.3, after the - Gervaine (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Meuvette
  6. 5 : km 2.79 - alt. 190 m - Edge of the Bois de la Rue
  7. 6 : km 3.57 - alt. 193 m - Crossroads with the D146
  8. 7 : km 4.6 - alt. 198 m - Take the path on the left after La Couvertière.
  9. 8 : km 5.11 - alt. 200 m - Edge of the Bois du Paradis
  10. 9 : km 6.2 - alt. 199 m - D146
  11. 10 : km 6.62 - alt. 202 m - The Commandery
  12. 11 : km 7.2 - alt. 193 m - D316.2
  13. S/E : km 8.57 - alt. 191 m - Saucelle Church, car park

Notes

The paths are sometimes muddy, so wear appropriate footwear.
They are often grassy from May to September. A walking stick may be useful to help you keep your balance: the grass can hide holes or ruts.

This flat route should not be attempted in strong winds or high temperatures. Take care during hunting season.

Worth a visit

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.