Route des étangs starting from La Puye

Park in the car park at the Place de la Mairie in La Puye.

(S/E) Head north-east and then north to reach the Petit Étang at the Montgolfier brothers’ ram.

(1) Walk along the left-hand side to go round it, first along the right bank and then the left. Head back to the leisure centre.

(2) Continue along the right-hand side of the road leading uphill towards La Bussière until you reach the Carthauderie crossroads.

(3) Turn right to reach the Grand Étang embankment.

(4) Take the track on the left to go round the Grand Étang, first along the right bank and then the left. Join the path that crosses the lake.

(5) Turn right onto this path to cross the lake, then veer right and return to the embankment; turn left to walk alongside the car park and then through the woods to the cemetery.

(6) Cross the road carefully and take the path running alongside the Soussy stream, opposite.
When you reach the bridge, take the street on the right and head back up towards the village centre.
Turn right towards the monastery, then continue up Rue du Moulin, followed by Rue du Cours Saint-Michel. Carry on straight ahead, veering slightly to the right, to reach the Petit Étang and the ram.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to return to the town hall car park (S/E).

Le Petit Étang: owned by the local council, this is a natural area, part of which has been developed as a leisure zone with a swimming area, beach, playground and catering facilities. Right at the foot of the spillway, you can admire the hydraulic ram invented by the Montgolfier brothers in the 18th century, which was used to lift water to a reservoir supplying the monastery gardens.

Between (2) and (3), enjoy the view of the monastery throughout this section of the route.

(4) The Grand Étang is owned by the Vienne Departmental Federation for Fishing and the Protection of Aquatic Environments, and features a family-friendly fishing area. Please respect the peace and quiet of the area and keep your pets on a lead. If you are quiet enough, you may well hear the great reed warbler, a small passerine commonly found in thickets of common reed, and spot several species of duck.

After (6), opposite the school, look to your right at the chasm that once served as an outlet for the mill’s water.