The Washerwomen’s Route

Hiking route in the heart of the Courléon State Forest. This hike can be enjoyed in all seasons.
Pleasetake care during the hunting season

Details

945209
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 35 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 35 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 102 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 62 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Courléon (49390)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.38973° / E 0.142614°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1722SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Courléon, church square) – Blue signposting – Suitable for mountain bikes/hybrid bikes.

(S/E) From the square, turn left then take the 2nd street on the right and continue to an intersection at a place called Le Maroir.

(1) Turn left, then immediately right, and continue straight on until you reach the main road.

(2) Turn left, then left again. Return to the road.

(3) Cross over and take the path opposite that leads into the forest. Return to the road again.

(4) Continue along the path in front of you, then take the fifth path on the left.

(5) Turn and continue straight ahead along this path. Take the second left and go to the junction.

(6) Turn right, pass the wash house. Turn left then right. Continue to the crossroads.

(7) Turn right and continue straight on until you reach the road.

(8) Turn left.

(1) Turn right until you return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 77 m - Courléon Church Square
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 76 m - Le Maroir – crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.92 - alt. 87 m - Main road on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 72 m - Crossing a road
  5. 4 : km 3.87 - alt. 69 m - Path opposite
  6. 5 : km 5.28 - alt. 71 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.46 - alt. 69 m - Washing house
  8. 7 : km 7.32 - alt. 80 m - Turn right at the crossroads
  9. 8 : km 8 - alt. 73 m - Le Maroir
  10. S/E : km 8.8 - alt. 77 m - Courléon Church Square

Notes

Saumur Val de Loire Tourism - Gennes-Val-de-Loire
2, rue des ponts - 49350 Les-Rosiers-sur-Loire - Tel. +33.(0)2.41.51.09.10
Opening hours

Saumur Val de Loire Tourism
8 bis quai Carnot – CS 54032 – 49415 Saumur Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)2 41 40 20 60 – Fax. +33 (0)2 41 40 20 69
Opening hours

www.saumur-tourisme.com

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
achelduvexin
achelduvexin

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Long, straight paths through the forest, in full sunlight and over sandy ground – a dull, monotonous walk; this hike would have held almost no interest for us, had our path not crossed that of a doe. A magical moment. As for the rest...

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cornille Bernard
cornille Bernard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb route. The Courléon Forest is criss-crossed by beautiful paths. We haven’t rated the route description as we’re following the GPS.

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Gegedeon
Gegedeon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods, including a path closed to all vehicles, covered in a natural carpet of grass and heather.

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Michel Costellois
Michel Costellois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for pointing that out, as the signposting isn't great. Otherwise, it's a lovely walk with stunning scenery.

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Laurence Campo-Paysaa
Laurence Campo-Paysaa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We usually go for a walk every Wednesday for two to three hours in the area around Saumur and Allonnes. The Lavandières route gave us the chance to explore Courléon and its surroundings, and it was a lovely experience. On the information sheet, the route is listed as 8.8 km and 2 hours 40 minutes, whereas the sign at the starting point by the church indicates 10.2 km. As we didn’t have enough time, we didn’t set off from the church square but from junction number 1 on the map. When we reached this junction, a local resident told us that our cars would be in the way and kindly suggested we park them 250 metres from the road, under his fir trees, on the uphill slope.
A lovely walk in any case, enjoyed by everyone in the group.

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