In the eye of the Saint-Jean Fountain

de fr

Montaillé has developed around two centres: the village centre, built up around the church, and La Brenaille, a cluster of hamlets and farms to the north of the village. The site of La Brenaille appears to have been inhabited since ancient times, whilst the village centre seems to have been settled during the Gallo-Roman period, as evidenced by the route of an ancient road between Le Mans and Orléans. ‘Montaillé’ likely derives from a contraction of the Latin ‘montem’, meaning mountain or high ground, and the name ‘Alhierus’, a Germanic name that may have referred to the landowner following the barbarian invasions ofthe 5th century. As the name suggests, the land is situated on high ground and is close to a stream, the Pibeau, and a spring, the Fontaine Saint Jean-Baptiste.

Details

n°97693574
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.14 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 354 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 344 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 551 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 331 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Montaillé (72120)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.936413° / E 0.702733°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1819SB, 1919SB
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Photos

Montaillé path

Description of the walk

Start from the village hall; parking available.

(S/E) From the village hall, walk along the right-hand side, then cross the D249 road and take the path opposite for 500 metres. Turn immediately right onto the small uphill road.

(1) At the junction, ignore the path on the right and continue left for 700 metres until you reach the underpass beneath the main road.

(2) Take the underpass and continue straight on along the path. Back on a small road, continue for 600 metres, pass La Petite Gâte and Les Brideries, and follow the grassy path to the left.

(3) Turn right at the barrier and follow the road. Reach Lac de Saint-Calais by going down the steps or take the
gentle slope a few metres further on.

(4) Turn left onto a section of the GR®. Go under the bridge on the A-road and, after the bend, go up the path on the left then continue straight on to the right for 1.2 km. (You can take an alternative route by turning right towards Les Brideries.)

(5) Cross the D249 road (take care) and head down the path opposite towards Moulin Launay. Cross the courtyard, pass the hamlet of Les Galasières, then continue for 100 metres.

(6) Leave the road on your right and, at the next junction, turn left. Continue for 500 metres.

(7) Take the path through the woods separating the two fields. At the three-way junction, turn right towards La Proutière.

(8) Leave the GR® on your left. Turn right, pass La Lande, go straight ahead, and pass Le Charme to continue to the crossroads.

(9) Head left onto the road for 1 km.

(10) At the crossroads, turn right, walk past the farm before taking the sunken lane on the left. Take the road on the left, then
left onto another road at the next crossroads before returning to La Croix.

(10) Turn right.

(8) At the end of the track, continue straight ahead on the GR® and leave it after 200 m to continue straight on for 1.5 km to reach the village and the church. Then turn left towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 413 ft - Village hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.94 - alt. 486 ft - Junctions
  3. 2 : mi 1.38 - alt. 482 ft - Passage under the A-road
  4. 3 : mi 2.36 - alt. 440 ft - Barriers
  5. 4 : mi 2.75 - alt. 331 ft - Lake St-Calais
  6. 5 : mi 3.77 - alt. 367 ft - Route
  7. 6 : mi 4.2 - alt. 469 ft - Crossroads
  8. 7 : mi 4.66 - alt. 512 ft - Path through the woods
  9. 8 : mi 5.3 - alt. 525 ft - Junction of the two circular loops
  10. 9 : mi 5.99 - alt. 499 ft - Crossroads
  11. 10 : mi 6.71 - alt. 525 ft - Crossroads
  12. S/E : mi 9.14 - alt. 413 ft - Village hall

Notes

  • Yellow markings
  • 35% tarmac
  • Possible connection with the Saint-Calais and Conflans-sur-Anille route (available on our website;
  • Map and full route description available in the Perche Sarthois Hiking Guide (50 routes). On sale at Perche Sarthois tourist offices for €10.

Worth a visit

  • Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
  • Old weighbridge
  • Wash house

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.