The ‘circular route of the Vaillants’ from Rauzan

The route starts at Rauzan Castle.

(S/E) Head down into the moat, walk past the picnic tables and go down the steps on your right.

(1) At the bottom of the stairs, follow the path to the left at the foot of the embankment. Continue until you reach the small tarmac road. Turn right towards Rauzan Church; go round it, walk along a green space and rejoin the road. You will then come to a crossroads.

(2) Turn left, then head straight on at the Stop sign on the D128 towards La Grangeotte.

(3) At the end of the road, turn right then left onto the tarmac path which climbs slightly. After the house, continue along the path between the vineyards in front of you to reach a tarmac road.

(4) Turn right. Go round the bend and, after about a hundred metres, turn left into the vineyard lane heading towards the hamlet of Benauge. You will come to a junction.

(5) Turn right at the last vineyard plot before the road to head towards the hamlet of Benauge. You’ll come out onto a small tarmac road; continue straight ahead along the path between the vines and rejoin a road.

(6) Turn left. Pass the entrance to the Allée couverte on your right. At the next junction, go straight ahead and then immediately turn right onto the dirt track to reach a four-way junction and a road.

(7) Head straight on towards Massiot. Then take the road on the right at the bend towards Germon le Bas. At the junction, turn right again to reach Germon le Haut. Continue along this road to the end to reach the D140.

(8) Turn left, then left again towards the village and the church at Bellefond. At the junction, turn left to go round the church: you can walk into the cemetery to enjoy the view.

(9) Alternatively, walk along the cemetery wall and follow the road opposite. Walk down to the junction with the D140 and turn left to leave the village of Bellefond. Pass the bend and turn right at the hairpin bend to head towards La Pontrique. Follow this road to the Moulin du Battant crossroads.

(10) Follow the road ahead to reach La Pontrique. At the junction, turn right onto the road that climbs slightly. Continue to the hamlet of Joinin, which you pass through.

(11) At the end of the road, turn right, then left at the stop sign. Keep left again, then turn right along the stone wall and pass a car park.

(12) Immediately after, veer slightly left onto the path between the vineyards. Back on the road, turn right then left into the small street between the houses. Pass a fork to reach the D119.

(13) Turn left. At the sign for the hamlet of Bruc, turn right. Pass between the two houses to reach the vineyards. Follow the vineyard lane, pass a small copse and continue for about a hundred metres.

(14) Turn left into the vineyard lane. Continue along this lane until you reach the road.

(15) Turn right. After passing the mill on your left, turn left at the second junction to head towards Barigat.

(16) At the three-way junction, take the small road on the far right. Head towards Blabot and turn opposite at the bend to reach a grassy path. Follow the low stone wall. You can enjoy the view of Rauzan Castle. At the wash house, turn left to go down the path alongside the campsite. At the foot of the castle, climb the steps and walk around the moat on the right. You can then return to your starting point (S/E).

Rauzan Castle, churches and vineyards.