Villechenève–Longessaigne circular via Thévenet, Tardy and Canet

Park in the church square.

(S/E) Set off by walking along the right-hand side of the church, passing in front of the north side of the town hall and the library. Follow the path that descends to the left and continues as a dirt track. Leave the Placettes wash house on your left, continue between the houses and head to the crossroads where there are some children’s play equipment and a picnic table. Head straight up to join the D27: at the crossroads, you will see the Milottiers state school in the distance on your left.

(1) Cross over and take the Montée de la Grande Croix opposite until you reach the hairpin bend to the right (on your left you will see the village’s second wash house and on your right, the Grande Croix). Turn right, then right again onto the Chemin de la Terre Ronde and continue to the end of the industrial estate. Then turn left to reach the signpost marked “Les Trois Chênes”.

(2) Head towards Le Thévenet via the^first path on the right as you go downhill.

(3) Just past the lodge on your left, and the large horse stable on your right, at the signpost “Le Thévenet”, head down a small dirt track to the left. When you reach a small junction at the bottom of the descent, continue straight on to reach a cluster of houses, where a tarmac road joins. Keep left onto a dirt track running alongside the houses, then follow the tarmac road straight on to La Madone.

(4) At the junction just after this, turn right onto a path signposted “No Entry except for residents”. When you reach the village of Longessaigne, at the main junction, turn immediately left and continue straight on until you reach the village exit. At the exit sign, take the dirt track on the right to the Canet tower.

(5) Go round it. At the end of the building, take the small descent on the right then the first dirt track on the left. At the junction, head up to your left towards the small wood, join the main road and follow it to the right for about 200 metres: take care on this dangerous stretch. Carry on to the bend before Les Auberges.

(6) Take the path climbing up to the left, marked with the red and white^GR®7signposting. At the junction at the top of the path, by the “Les Auberges” signpost, turn right towards Villechenève. At the next junction, keep left towards the house, continue straight on and stay on the tarmac path until you reach the signpost “La Flachère”. Turn right towards Villechenève and Le Bertrand. Join a road at the hamlet known as “La Flachère”

(7) At the bottom of the path, when you reach the house, turn right onto the tarmac road to reach a three-way junction just before the main road, opposite a small copse. Take a quick first turn left then right to follow the dirt track towards Chez Jacques. At the junction, head down to the left, follow the field to the farm, then follow the tarmac path uphill to the right until you reach the top.

(8) Keep to the right and, at the next three-way junction, turn left then right onto a dirt track, heading towards the Étang des Olmes. Climb up to the tarmac road and turn right towards the main road, which you will follow on your left as you pass the car garage: take care at this dangerous stretch, near Rue Grande Croix.

(9) Head down to your left. Pass the wash house and turn right onto the road marked ‘No Entry’ (except for residents). When you reach the main road, turn left towards the village centre until you reach Impasse de l’École.

(10) Turn left towards the school, then take the steps leading down to the right. At the bottom, follow the wall on the right to the crossroads, cross over towards the war memorial and head towards the church (S/E).

Park in the church square and admire the neo-Gothic monument and its beautiful stained-glass windows.
The route is moderately accessible with a pushchair with large wheels.
This route is suitable for children.