Circular path in the wet marshes of Doix-lès-Fontaines

Park in the cemetery car park at the exit of Doix towards Maillezais, on the D68.

(S/E) Take the road opposite the village, then turn left shortly afterwards into Rue de Baillot until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Turn right before the bend onto Rue de la Levée on the right and continue to a fork in the road

(2) Turn left onto Chemin des Cabanes and follow it until you reach a fork.

(3) Turn right and continue along a completely straight section. Cross the Canal de la Bonde des Marais to the Canal du Pont Tors. Then join a new track at a right angle. Take it to the left for 200 m until you reach the corner of the house.

(4) Turn right onto a grassy path. Be careful here: a small gate may be closed. If so, close it behind you as there are goats grazing in the field. Continue along Rue de la Cabane de l'Union Chrétienne. You will come to a footbridge.

(5) Cross it on the left and follow the path between the hedge and the fence: you will pass through a meadow with several gates, which you should close behind you. You will arrive at a canal junction.

(6) Turn left at a 90° angle and, after about 100 metres, you will come to the Chemin Vert crossroads. Turn right, cross the Autize river, continue and you will arrive at Rue des Bas.

(7) Take it to the right and continue until you reach the five-way crossroads in the centre of the village of Belle Vue.

(8) Turn right to cross part of the village, then cross the Autize again. Continue almost straight ahead to find Rue de la Cabane de l'Union Chrétienne.

(9) Turn right and, between two canals, you will soon reach the footbridge junction you passed on the way there.

(5) Opposite, retrace your steps in the opposite direction to reach the crossroads by the house.

(4) Turn right and then immediately left at a 90° angle. Continue straight ahead along the edge of the Ceinture de la Levée Neuve. You will then reach a crossroads on the edge of the Bois de Loyauté.

(10) Walk along the left-hand side of this edge, which leads to the hamlet of Loyauté.

(11) Turn left onto Rue Loyauté, continue along Rue Baillot and you will reach the initial Baillot crossroads.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the car park at the Doix-lès-Fontaines cemetery (S/E).

(9) Picnic table.

Between (5) and (9), the route can be very muddy from autumn onwards and even impassable in winter.

Bring mosquito repellent during the season.

Doix-lès-Fontaines is a commune in the Marais Poitevin.