Route of wind turbines around Saint-Christophe-du-Bois

Park either in the Place de l’Église, which has a car park, or at point 2.

(S/E) Leave the village heading north, taking Rue Pasteur then Rue de la Sallette. Go past the roundabout and continue out of the village, still heading north.
Follow the road, which runs along a plateau offering unobstructed views.

(1) After 1.5 km, you’ll reach the start of the wind turbine route. You can take this to reach point 3. This is an alternative route that shortens the walk by 1.5 km. From here, you can make a detour to the Pont de la Rousse by taking the path on the other side of the road (1 km round trip heading east).

(2) After another 1.5 km, take the path branching off to the left heading south. You can park at the start of this path to avoid the 3 km drive from the village.

(3) The path and its alternative route join at the “Notre-Dame-de-Pitié” Chapel (see photo). Just beyond this, the road ends at a crossroads. Leave the road and take the footpath that continues straight ahead.

(4) Walk along the right-hand side of the hamlet of Les Quatre Chênes without entering it. Continue along the path which runs behind the farmyard.

(5) The path reaches the edge of a field where there is a lovely view of the wind turbines (see photo). A sign warns that you are entering private property and should respect the landowner’s rights. Walk along the right-hand side of this field and turn left 200 metres further on. Continue walking along the edge of the field heading south-west.

(6) Once you reach the road, turn right onto it and follow it for about a hundred metres. The path then continues on the left.

(7) Do not take the path that branches off to the right. Carry on straight ahead towards the west.

(8) The path takes a hairpin bend, heading south-east. It widens enough for a four-wheel drive vehicle!

(9) You’ll reach the car park, where you can end the walk here. Ideally, you should have two cars so you can pick one up here. Otherwise, walk along the road for 1.5 km.

(10) Turn right at a place called La Choltière, where you might be lucky enough to spot a pony (see photo). Continue along the track heading south-east, which turns into a footpath.

(11) Pass the junction and carry on heading south. 500 m further on, the path turns left, then right again 500 m further on.

(12) You’ll then reach the road at a place called La Gauvière. Follow it back to Saint-Christophe-du-Bois and the car park at Place de l’Église (S/E).

This hike can be done as a circular route by mountain bike or on foot between points (1) and (10), which is the most interesting section. You can either walk back or leave a vehicle at each end.
Take care when mountain biking: some sections of the trail are narrow, particularly between waypoints (4 and 5).
Please be considerate of walkers.

At point (1), you can take a detour to see the old Gallo-Roman Pont de la Rousse.
The Pont de la Rousse, whose two arches span the Copechanière stream, was built in the Gallo-Roman period on the ancient Roman road. It was a crossroads where the roads from Le Longeron, Torfou and La Séguinière met, leading towards Cholet.
(3) The beautiful Chapel of La Pitié. The Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitié (near La Proutière) dates from 1689. It stands on the old Roman road leading to the Pont de la Rousse. In days gone by, people would come here on pilgrimage to place fearful children under the protection of the Virgin Mary, particularly to encourage them to take their first steps.
You can also visit the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Grotto at the entrance to the village of Saint-Christophe.