From Bouilly to Pourcy via the Ardre Valley

(S/E) From Bouilly Town Hall (large car park on Rue des Vignes), take Rue des Vignes to leave the village. Continue straight on along the path which climbs through the vineyard and enters a small wood.

(1) At the crossroads, take the path opposite which continues into the woods. Follow it through the fields.

(2) The path joins the^GR® de Pays de l’Ardre. Turn left. Walk past the Chaumuzy mill, cross the River Ardre and walk to the village of Chaumuzy.

(3) At the junction with the D386, turn left and walk through the village.

(4) About a hundred metres past the church, turn right into Rue des Nappes.

(5) At the football pitch, carry on straight ahead, skirting the pitch, then follow the edge of a small wood.

(6) At the junction, turn left and, at the next junction, turn right. Follow the path until you reach another small woodland, which you go round to the left.

(7) Head towards the Ferme du Moulin de l’Ardre. The path runs right through the middle of the farm, between two buildings, under a large canopy. Cross the bridge and walk to the road.

(8) Once on the D386, turn right and walk carefully alongside the road . Pass the wayside shrine and enter the village of Pourcy via Rue de la Barbe aux Canes. Continue straight on into Rue Jean Jaurès and leave the village.

(9) After the last houses, take the path on the left which climbs across the fields and then enters the woods. This path is often in poor condition due to forestry work.

(10) Cross the forest track and take the path straight ahead that enters the woods (sometimes hidden by vegetation at the entrance). As you emerge from the woods, keep slightly to the left, following the pastures towards the Ferme d’Écueil.

(11) When you can see the farm, turn right. Stay on the path which descends through the woods, then through the vineyards towards Chamery. There’s a lovely view of Reims as you emerge from the woods.

(12) Just before the reservoir (poplars), turn left onto the vineyard path. This path joins the^GR®142, which climbs through the vineyard to the edge of the woods. Follow it to the left.

(13) When you reach a spot where vineyard earthworks have just been carried out, take the path on the left which enters the woods, marked^GR® at the start. Continue straight on through the woods, without changing direction. Do not follow the^GR® which branches off to the right.

(14) After about 600m, you’ll reach a track suitable for vehicles. Cross it and continue straight ahead along the forest track.

(15) After 500m, turn left and then immediately right. The path descends through the woods towards the village of Courmas. Pass under the high-voltage power line and continue straight on to the village.

(16) After the church, turn into the second street on the left, Rue des Hauts Murs. Carry on without changing direction along the small road that runs alongside the grounds of the Domaine de Commétreuil.

(17) At the crossroads, turn left, then right, following the beautiful avenue of chestnut trees. Continue slightly to the left along Rue Saint Caprais. Walk past the wash house to complete the route (S/E).

Water available at the cemeteries in the villages along the route. No water at military cemeteries.

Picnic areas in Bouilly (housing estate) and at the Maison du Parc in Pourcy.

Do feel free to stop off at the Maison du Parc.
You’ll receive a very warm welcome there, even on Sundays during the summer. They provide information on everything to do with the nature reserve, and there are often lovely exhibitions. Heritage orchard, picnic area, toilets. Wi-Fi.

World War I military cemeteries nearby in Bouilly, Courmas and Marfaux.

AOC Champagne winegrowers in all the villages along the route.

Check for hunting days.