Route des Petaux

Yellow markings – 6.65km blue-marked alternative route.

(S/E) Start at Place de l’Église. Head towards the road in front of you and continue straight on towards the junction for 250m (RD 699). Cross over to take the left-hand road, heading towards the village centre for about 150m. At the first houses, take the dirt track on your left to walk alongside the houses. Continue along this track, keeping straight on until you reach the road after about 600m.

(1) Turn left onto this road and take the first limestone track on your right after about 60m, continuing straight ahead. Turn left and carry on until you reach the tarmac road at the hamlet of Chez Philbert, about 350m away.

(2) Turn left and head towards the first path on your right after 100m, continuing straight on through the hamlet of La Rousselière, about 350m away. With trees in front of you, follow the path by turning right and continue for about 500m, keeping straight on.

(3) With trees on your left, continue straight on until you reach the road, approximately 350m away. Cross over to take the path in front of you. After about 200m, you will enter a wooded area; follow the path for about 150m.

(4) At the junction, turn right and continue straight ahead for about 550m.

(5) Take the path on your left and ignore the path on your right leading to the Voûte wash house, where you can make a round trip (signpost on site). Resume the route towards the hamlet of La Voûte and pass through it, staying on the main road for about 800m. Cross the RD49 and continue straight on for about 200m.

(6) Turn left at the junction, then continue straight on for about 200m. When you reach a small copse of trees, go round it on the right and continue straight on for about 250m. At the end of the path, turn right, following the trees. Continue straight on, leaving the path on your left and right for about 400m.

(7) At the road, turn right, then left and left again (signposted). Walk downhill for a few metres, then turn right and continue straight on through the trees to join the path that takes you along the edge of the woods on your right. You will cross the Bois des Maines again.

(8) At the exit, turn left then join the country lane on your right through the vineyards for about 300m. At the junction, turn right and continue straight on until you reach the Petit Roc house, about 400m away. Cross the road to take the limestone track and continue straight on until you reach the hamlet of Saint-Denis, about 500m away. At the junction, turn right and stay on the main road before turning left. Take the second track on your right.

(9) Turn left at the first house in the hamlet of La Métairie and continue straight on along the main road. At the first crossroads, turn right and then right again. Continue straight on for about 450m. Go round the house and turn left at the three-way junction. Continue straight on until you reach the RD699, about 600m away.

(10) Cross the road and continue straight on for about 80m. Before the stream, veer right and follow the Collinaud. Keep the stream on your left and continue straight on until you reach a gate (with the old football pitch on your left), then follow the stream on your right to the Motte wash house.

(11) Cross the stepping stones and turn immediately left. Continue straight on, following the trees for about 150m, then turn right to reach the church cemetery, about 350m away. Walk past the peat bogs to reach the Place de l’Église (S/E).

Don’t miss the Voûte wash house. A picnic table is available in a shaded area next to the wash house.
The Romanesque Saint-Pierre Church, typical of the region.