Route of springs from La Neuville-aux-Joûtes

Park in front of the town hall.

(S/E) Take Rue de Noués and leave La Neuville-aux-Jouttes, heading uphill until you reach a bend in the road.

(1) Leave the road via the dirt track on the right at the edge of the woods.

(2) At the pumping station, turn left and follow the road to the entrance of Les Milles Arpents farm.

(3) Take the path on the right that follows the edge of the forest.

(4) After 100 m through the woods, take the path on the left that goes uphill. Step over a few springs.

(5) When you come to a small canal, turn right and keep the canal on your left.

(6) At the junction, turn onto the forest track heading north-west. In wet weather, you’ll need to zigzag a little to avoid the puddles, but otherwise there are no difficulties. You’ll come out onto a road at Forge Philippe (view of Belgium).

(7) Turn left, pass by the farm and turn left again. Follow the road to a fork.

(8) Take Route le Grand Riaux d'en haut on the right. After 500 m, turn left and cross the small bridge over the Ruisseau de la Place.

(9) Leave the road after the small chapel and take the dirt track on the right. When you reach the D34, take the path on the left which leads down into the woods. Continue straight on at the first junction.

(10) To cross the stream, you’ll need a bit of agility or high boots. Turn right immediately after the stream.

(11) Continue along a pleasant path beside the Mulle. To the left of the path, you can visit a Maginot Line bunker. Return to the junction from the outward journey

(1) Turn right and, following the route in reverse, head back to the town hall in La Neuville-aux-Joûtes (S/E).

Waterproof footwear is essential. If you want to keep your feet dry, wear boots!
Apart from a restaurant, there are no shops in La Neuville-aux-Jouttes; the nearest shops are in Signy-le-Petit or Saint-Michel.

No public transport.

• Several Maginot Line blockhouses.
• Fortified Church of Saint-Nicolas in Signy-le-Petit.
• Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache Abbey