Courdemanche and its Saint-Fraimbault Chapel

Park in the village square in Courdemange. A car park with 30–40 spaces is located 100 m away, next to the church, if required.

(S/E) Start by taking the hill to the left of the square towards the church, following the yellow markings. After the fire station, take the path on the left which continues to climb up onto the plateau.
You’ll reach a crossroads. Keep right onto the road and take the path on the left that descends back into the valley. You’ll reach the village of Pontenchéri.

(1) Keep right for about 100 metres along the road, then follow the path running alongside the river. Pass the Moulin de Croalin and shortly afterwards you’ll come to a multi-way junction.

(2) Take the road on the left, cross the D64 and then head uphill opposite. Continue along the path through the valley to reach the hamlet of Les Hugeries.

(3) Turn left, quickly reach the D231, follow it to the right for about ten metres, then turn left before the houses at La Guiminerie. Then cross the D228. Continue on, passing the houses at La Piétrerie, then reach those at La Tupinière.

(4) Turn sharply left, pass the Basses Bonotières woods and reach the D86 near the hamlet of Saint-Civiard. Turn right onto it, leave it at the next bend to turn left onto the track and reach the Chapel of Saint-Fraimbault.

(5) Pass the chapel and continue along the road. Reach the hamlet of Les Épivents, then turn sharply right. After crossing the river, turn left to rejoin the D86. Reach a crossroads just before the hamlet of La Guinandière.

(6) Take this path and enter the forest. Walk around a pond that is sometimes visible. Then cross the stream that feeds this pond. Turn left and rejoin a road at the hamlet of La Roustière.

(7) Turn right onto it, follow it and reach the hamlet of Les Ormeaux.

(8) Continue straight ahead, passing the hamlet of Les Gabrônes. Carry on straight ahead and join another road.

(9) Turn left and continue down a fairly steep descent to reach the crossroads in the hamlet of La Pionnière.

(10) Turn right and follow the Étangsort stream. At the end of the path, turn left onto the road to cross the river.
Carry on and you will soon reach the car park at Courdemange Town Hall (S/E).

A bar, grocery shop and bakery (closed on Mondays) are available at the car park on the village square.
The grocery shop serves lunch (by reservation).
The route is suitable for mountain bikes.
It is marked in yellow for 80% of the route.
Between (6) and (7), the section through the woods around the pond offers a cool respite halfway through the route if it gets hot.

(S/E) The Courdemanche wash house is also worth a look.
(5) The chapel of Saint Fraimbault has been restored. Note the bell tower with its shingled roof