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Access: the Maison de la Loire car park is located along the D751, east of Montlouis-sur-Loire (well signposted in both directions).
(S/E) Start by going down the stairs to reach Île de Bondésir. Follow the path in front of you, then quickly turn right onto a pleasant, wild path winding through unspoilt nature. It's hard to believe that you're only a few metres from the town centre. Leave a large hut made of branches on your left to reach a deforested area.
(1) At the fork, take a quick detour to your left to reach an information panel on the banks of the Loire (unobstructed view), then head towards the hillside.
Note: significant deforestation work was carried out by the local authority at the end of 2016 as part of flood risk management, destroying all the biodiversity in the central area of the island. It is therefore pointless to continue your walk eastwards until nature has reclaimed its rights.
As you approach the Loire embankment (200 metres further on), you will find a path on the right that leads into the vegetation and back to your starting point. Once you are back where you started, at the top of the stairs, continue to the left for a few dozen metres.
(2) Cross the road:Caution: fairly heavy traffic and no pedestrian crossing to climb the Montaigu path where there are a few cave dwellings. In the left-hand bend, keep to your right and follow the low wall to find a small path that joins another, steeper street, which you will need to climb.
From there, follow part of the Montlouis-sur-Loire discovery route, which is marked with numerous information panels. Opposite you is Les Caves de l'Épine Fleurie (no. 8). Continue to the right along the pleasant Chemin Tourné, lined with trees and beautiful houses, which turns left.
(3) At the next crossroads, turn right and then right again onto Chemin de Bellevue (which lives up to its name). It joins the edge of the cliff and then runs along it on the left for more than 500 metres. The view of the Loire is very clear in places.
(4) Head towards the Church of Saint-Laurent opposite you, which you can visit if you wish. Retrace your steps and begin your descent towards the Loire.
(5) Just after the presbytery, go down the steps on your left (Le Pen de la Halle) and enter the Viguerie garden. Exit through the other gate, to the left of the fountain, join the road and follow it to the right until you reach the Tourist Office square. Finally, cross to the other side of the road and follow the avenue of plane trees to the car park (S/E).
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