Château de Bienassis from Les Sables d'Or

Departfrom Les Sables d'Or and park in the car parks around the water sports centre.

(S/E) Take Allée des Bungalows, then at the roundabout, take the^4th exit, Allée des Mouettes. Turn right onto Allée des Cottages and head towards the bay.

(1) Turn left and walk along the bay until you reach the cycle path, at the edge of the main road through the village, behind the "magasin de marine" (marine shop).

(2) Continue along the bay, pass the campsite and arrive at a 90° left turn.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the cycle path, which takes you over the footbridge and across the bay to come out on the other side in a wood.

(4) Cross the road, which is quite busy in summer, and continue on the cycle path towards Erquy. Pass the Dolmen de la Ville Hamon and arrive at a crossroads.

(5) Continue straight ahead, where thepath turns into narrow streets in the first housing estates on the heights of Erquy. Take Chemin de la Louve and continue straight ahead to Allée de l'Horizon Bleu.

(6) Cross the road towards the "parking boulodrome" and follow the cycle path that runs along the car park, slightly to the left, overlooking the road.

(7) Cross another road (D68) and continue straight ahead on Rue du Viaduc. Note the church on your left and the view of the sea and the port of Erquy below. Continue straight ahead and rejoin the cycle path that descends towards Caroual and its viaduct.

(8) Cross the viaduct and you will come to a road.

(9) Cross it using the chicanes, then take a short, steep and somewhat treacherous descent, preferably with your feet on the ground! At the corner of No. 11, turn left onto Rue du Rocher, then continue left onto Avenue de Caroual and climb up to the village of Caroual.

(10) At the top of the hill, turn left onto Route du Pommet and continue along this small road to the end. Turn right towards Saint-Pabu and you will reach Ville Renault.

(11) Turn left, uphill, towards Ville Denais, cross the hamlet and reach Camping Bellevue, on the edge of Route d'Erquy (D786).

(12)Cross the busyroad with caution and take the dirt track opposite. Enter the woods and turn right (do not go straight downhill!).

(13) When you reach the first walls and buildings of the castle, turn right to walk along them on your left and join the main entrance driveway to Château de Bienassis. Follow it to the left and return to the car park.

(14) Returnto Les Sables d'Or (S/E) by retracing your steps.

Bienassis Castle.