Étiveau Route

There are two car parks available to start this walk:
- either at the car park for the Étang du Gué de Selle leisure centre (S/E),
- or at the car park near the footbridge at the junction with the D272 (1).

(S/E) Walk along the lake to reach the car park on the D272. This section is shared between this point and point (7) for the out-and-back route of this route.

(1) Head north. Follow the directional arrows indicating the Étiveau route (No. 21).
Take the path running alongside the hedge northwards, to the far end of the meadow. Cross a small copse before emerging onto the D272. Follow this road to the left for 600m. Pass in front of the Petite Coudrière Pony Club.

(2) Follow the signs on the right towards Boissay.

(3) Just before Boissay Farm, turn left onto the track, then turn right. The track turns left at a right angle and joins a road. Follow it to the left towards La Rabrie.

(4) At the junction with a cross, take the path on the right that leads into the woods. Keep left at the next junction and turn left near the sign for the Allée Couverte des Pierres Jumelles.

(5) At the crossroads, turn right and then right again towards the hamlet of Richebourg.

(6) Turn left onto the road, pass through Richebourg and continue to the junction with the D552.

(7) Follow this road to the right. The road is uphill and winding. Please take care! Continue for about 600m.

(8) At a cross, turn left towards Étiveau. Pass through this hamlet. Note the 12th-century chapel.

(9) Continue left, following signpost No. 21. Pass through the hamlet of Villeneuve. Continue north-west. Remarkable scenery and a view of the Montaigu chapel near the hamlet of ‘La Chalopinière’.

(10) At the La Chalopinière crossroads, continue straight on (north), passing La Hardière, whose buildings are on your right.

(11) At the junction with a track, turn left then right. Ride alongside the woods and join a road on the left, taking great care with traffic. Riders must slow down here.

(12) Turn left towards the hamlet of Montaigu. In the hamlet, continue straight ahead and follow signpost No. 21.

(13) On leaving the hamlet, turn left into the sunken lane towards La Crosnerie. Pass through the hamlet and continue straight on to reach La Bourdonnière. Continue straight on for 130m.

(14) Turn left at the wayside shrine (note the pilgrim’s staff or bourdon carved on its chamfer). Pass in front of La Loge and reach a path near La Rousselière.

(15) Turn right towards Les Horizons, then continue straight down towards the Moulin de Richebourg on the D552.
 
(7) Cross the road and head back towards the Étang de Gué de Selle, retracing your steps to return to the starting car park, either (1) or (S/E).

Gué de Selle Leisure Centre: shelter, water, horse paddocks, toilets, picnic tables
Near the Montaigu chapel: picnic tables

Note: at a pond (11), on the left, an alternative route is available (V3) to return to “Les Horizons”. Please note: this alternative route is not permitted for horse-drawn carriages. Please ensure all gates are closed properly.

Find all the walks offered by the Sainte-Suzanne les Coëvrons Tourist Office at www.coevrons-tourisme.com.

- Saint-Michel Chapel in Montaigu: built in 1402, just like the hermitage whose ruins are still visible at the foot of the chapel, it was dedicated to Saint Michael and welcomed pilgrims on their way to Mont-Saint-Michel. Occupied until 1840, the hermitage notably housed a bread oven and a storeroom, and within the walled garden stood a long, narrow building serving as a shelter for pilgrims. The granite altar is also original and contrasts with the modern stained-glass windows. Visible from the outside only.

- Hamlet of Montaigu: this hamlet is set in a natural, undulating wooded landscape. Old dwellings dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Notable for the preservation of its architectural unity, achieved through the use of identical materials: granite and slate roofs. Several houses retain a Romanesque-style door.

- Montaigu Chapel: a^12th -century chapel.