Martignac route

Park at the start of the hike in the Place Georges Henry car park in Puy-l'Évêque.

(S/E) At the far end of the car park, enter the small park and cross the lawn towards the right-hand corner. Take the exit and immediately go up the path on the left.

(1) At the top of the steps, turn right onto Rue du Roulier. After the bend, turn right to go along the small car park, cross Rue Ernest Marcouly, then the car park at Place du Foirail to arrive at Saint-Sauveur Church. Pass in front of its Gothic porch, then continue on your way, leaving "Place du Souvenir" on your left. At the crossroads, take Rue Costayral on the right, then the first left.

(2) At the three-way junction, follow Chemin de la Borde (GR®36) to the right. The tarmac will gradually disappear and the path enters a wooded area. Continue straight ahead at the Condamines crossroads on Route de Gagnabet. After the last houses, go straight ahead on a dirt track that enters the woods and joins a crossroads with the D28, visible on the left.

(3) Take the path to the right that descends, passing in front of the entrance to the Domaine de Cardou. About 150 m further on, after the right-hand bend, take the dirt track to the left and go through the woods until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Continue straight ahead, leaving the access road to Trébuzac on your right, follow the road and cross the hamlet of Les Lobiès.

(5) Take the wide, stony path that descends to the right to the wash house, where there is a picnic table if you want to take a break. Continue along the path that passes in front of a gariotte (stone hut) and go to the village of Martignac. Turn right to reach the Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens, a listed historic monument. This modest church, originally Romanesque from^{the 12th} century, is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The interior is decorated with exceptional murals, painted at the end of^{the 15th} century and discovered in 1938. As you enter, look up as you pass under the porch.

(6) After your visit, join the small road and head north, turning right at the sign for "Route de Martignac". After the houses, the road becomes a wide, shaded path that joins the D28. Turn right and follow this road carefully for about 200 metres.

(7) After a large barn and in the right-hand bend, take Chemin de Mombret on the left (GR®652), then continue straight ahead on the dirt track. About 30 metres further on, take the path on the left that passes between chestnut trees.

(8) At the bottom of the descent, take the hairpin bend to the right, then continue straight ahead on the stony path that runs alongside the Ruisseau de Cazes stream and leads to the hamlet of the same name.

(9) Go around the Church of Saint-Saturnin on the right, and in front of the cemetery gate, take the tarmac road that climbs and quickly becomes a dirt track (towards Puy-l'Évêque). The path first climbs up the hillside with a view of the Château de Cieurac. When you reach the road, go up to the left and continue on the path that climbs into the woods until you reach the wash house.

(10) Continue along the path that climbs to the left, towards Puy-l'Évêque. When you reach a road, turn left to cross the hamlet of Roubert, and turn right at the three-way junction.

(11) Ignore the path on the left at the bend,cross the Cucas and continue along the road.

(12) Cross the bridge and immediately turn left down a path that passes under the bridge and descends into the woods until it joins a wide track, which you should follow in the same direction.

(13) At the bottom of the path, after the travellers' site, take the road on the left, which passes in front of the cemetery and enters the Puy-l'Évêque housing estate.

(14) Turn right onto Rue Henry Dunant, pass the post office and join Rue Ernest Marcouly (D811).

(15) Cross at the pedestrian crossing, head straight ahead and take the stairs leading to the hanging gardens viewpoint.

(16) Then begin the descent towards the old town via Rue Bovila. Take the stairs on the right leading to Place de la Halle, then turn left to reach Rue de la Cale.

(17) Turn left and continue to the roundabout to reach the car park on the other side (S/E).

Please note: this hike intersects with the 24.5 km "Route des 7 églises" hike in places. Follow the description carefully at these points.

There are no drinking water points, but there are several houses along the way if needed.

There is a very good tea room at 15 Rue des Capucins in Puy-l'Évêque, perfect for a bite to eat, and open all year round from Thursday to Sunday. Terrace with views of the village and the Lot.