Cécile Crossroads and Fontenai Ponds

The starting point is in the car park of the Fontenai-les-Louvets village hall. Nearby, you’ll find a water tap at the gable end of the hall and some picnic tables.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn right and walk along the road for about 200 m. Turn right onto a small, shaded path, passing several wooden barriers (which prevent bicycles from passing).

(1) At the end of the path, when you reach La Bluterie, turn left onto the road. Walk 600 m to reach the junction just past the access road to La Boularderie.

(2) Turn right towards Les Noës. This small tarmac track soon gives way to a grassy path that gradually winds its way into the forest. Pass close to a first small pond before the path splits in two at a place called Pré des Noës.

(3) Do not continue along the track; take a small, damp path on the right. Pass close to a second small pond and then reach a stream. This part of the route is shaded and damp. As you make your way through the ferns, note a patch of deciduous trees on the right and conifers on the left. Continue to the end of the path and reach the Carrefour Cécile.

(4) Do not go straight ahead (^GR®36), but turn onto the stony path on the right and follow it until you cross the departmental road leading from the Croix Madame junction towards Fontenai. Take the slightly uphill path opposite to the Carrefour des Étangs.

(5) Take the first small path leading down to the far right; do not continue along the stony path: you are on the^GR®36. Make your way to the Étangs de Fontenai.

(6) Take care not to miss the footbridge on your right. The view is magnificent. Cross the footbridge separating the two ponds. Then walk up the short hill and join a tarmac path again. Pass through the small hamlet of La Jâle and join the D226 at La Bourrichère.

(7) Cross the D226 carefully and head straight on towards La Corbinière. Continue towards La Raterie along a tarmac road that slopes down slightly; there is little traffic on this road.

(8) Before heading back up towards the Tertre farm, turn almost right-hand way, continuing along this track. You’ll rejoin the D226.

(9) Turn left to reach the houses in Fontenai-les-Louvets and then the car park (S/E).

Picnic table.

Bread oven.
Fontenai wash house.
Fontenai Ponds Footbridge.
Cécile Crossroads.