The Templars’ Route in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons

Calvaire car park in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons.
The starting point (near a bakery and patisserie) is marked by an information sign.

(S/E) Head to the left of the sign, as you face it. You will soon see a “Route des Templiers” signpost inviting you to turn left. Walk past the open-air theatre and continue straight on until you reach Rue des Châtaigniers. Cross the street to reach a pedestrian crossing, which allows you to cross the adjacent street to the left. Then head back to the left and turn right onto Rue des Genêts. At the end of this street, at the Stop sign, you will find two paths joining on the right.

(1) Take the one furthest to the right, signposted ‘Route des Templiers’, and continue to the railway line.

(2) Take the fairly high footbridge to cross over and continue along the path. At the^first junction, head straight ahead onto a small road, then leave it at the bend to take the path that opens up opposite (cross carefully). This path leads onto a small road.

(3) Immediately on your left, take a new path (a ‘no cars’ sign marks the start of this path). Continue south until you reach a path branching off to the right.

(4) Turn onto this path, which curves sharply to the right. Further on, turn left onto a path coming from the right. At the end of the path, take the small road on the right, pass by a field of wind turbines and arrive at a larger road. Turn right towards La Davière des Landes and walk past a large farm on your left.

(5) Turn left onto the road, taking care as there is no pavement, and continue to the entrance to La Milsandrie.

(6) Turn left onto Chemin de la Gatte, continue straight ahead and ignore a turn-off on your left. When the road takes a sharp left-hand bend, leave it and take the path opposite which runs past the base of a wind turbine. Continue until you reach a Stop sign indicating the junction with the D605.

(7) Head right for a few metres, keeping close to the right-hand side of the road (be very careful, as it is a busy road). Cross the road to take the path that opens up on the left; you will see a large sign reading ‘Welcome to the Saint-Hilaire Énergie wind farm’. Continue until you reach a small road, which you take on your left. The road leads to Beausoleil and then turns into a track. Continue straight on until you reach a wind turbine, the first of a field of three

(8) Take the path branching off to the left just before this wind turbine and continue until you reach a fork, where you take the right-hand branch. Cross the D605 with care, then continue straight on to Le Temple.

(9) Continue until you find a path entrance on the right (you must go past the houses as the access points are private at first). Pass the ‘end of 50 km/h speed limit’ sign, then continue until you see the sign indicating a right turn. At the road, turn right towards Noyeux.

(10) In Noyeux, turn left onto a lane that opens up opposite 9 Petite Place. Then turn right onto a path marked with a ‘no motor vehicles’ sign. Continue until you reach a road, just before the entrance to the village of La Richerie.

(11) Turn right. At the end of the street, turn right towards the level crossing.

(12) Cross the level crossing and, immediately afterwards, turn left onto a small road that becomes a track. Ignore a turn-off on the right, pass a track marked by a cross and you will come to a small track on the right signposted “Route des Templiers, le Clos des Fosses”.

(13) Follow this path straight on until you reach a road, which you cross carefully. Head left, go past a roundabout to reach Rue de la Bonne Fontaine. Continue, ignoring several turnings, until you reach Place de l’Église. Turn left, passing in front of Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons Church. Continue until you reach the car park for the Calvaire de Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons on your right (S/E).

• Calvaire car park, Rue Éloi Guitenny in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons

(S/E) Visit to the Calvary and the adjoining cemetery, visit to the church of Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons

Alternative 1 – 12 km to shorten the route slightly.
(7) When you reach the D605, turn left, keeping close to the left-hand side of the road (be very careful, as it is a busy road). After a good hundred metres, take the first path that opens up on the left. Continue on to Le Temple. Enter Le Temple and carry straight on. The road takes a sharp left-hand bend, which is at the point (9) of the walk. All you have to do now is rejoin the standard route by turning left.
Note: this alternative route is not recommended for groups (D605).

Alternative route 2 – 6.5 km post-meal stroll.
At the crossroads at point (4), follow the signs for the ‘Circuit des Templiers, raccourci’. Continue straight on until you reach a small road. It bends sharply to the right. Take the first street on the left (you will see a ‘level crossing’ sign). Walk until you reach the level crossing at point (12) and rejoin the usual route.