De croix en châteaux, sur les pas des Templiers

The hike starts from the car park of the Templar church in Lamaids.

(S/E) With your back to the church, take Rue des Commanderies opposite. At the cross, turn right into Rue des Templiers.

(1) At the end of the street, turn right onto Rue des Granges. Cross the tarmac road and first turn right then left to follow Chemin des Étangs. Go over the four-lane road. Ignore a path coming from the left, turn left and ignore the path that immediately branches off to the left.

(2) About twenty metres after the path that branches off to the left, take the beautiful track that branches off to the right and climbs slightly.

(3) Cross the tarmac road and continue on the track that branches off to the right. Continue along this good path, ignoring the tracks to the right and left. At elevation 478, ignore the path coming from the right and continue straight on towards some barns (the surface then becomes tarmac).

(4) Immediately after the second building, take the tarmac track completely to the left for about 100 metres. Turn right and follow the good path that leads to the village of Le Breuil. Cross the village, continuing on the tarmac road.

(5) About 400 metres after the village, when the road turns right, take the gravel path on the left. Continue along this well-marked track to Le Fressineau. At the houses, turn right and you will arrive in front of the 15th-century listed castle.

(6) Continue along the road (north-west). After about 200 metres, just before the last houses, take the track on the left. Continue along this well-marked path, ignoring the paths on the right and left, until you reach the tarmac road.

(7) Take the road on the right and pass under the four-lane road. Go around the roundabout and enter the village of Nouhant opposite. Continue straight on until you reach the church.

(8) Go around the church on the left, cross the village towards the cemetery (signposted and visible in the distance). Just before the bridge over the stream, take the beautiful track on the left until you reach the tarmac road.

(9) Turn right onto a tarmac road towards the village of Montgiraud. Follow this road for about 650 metres.

(10) Just before the small bridge over the stream, take the track on the left. Cross the tarmac road and continue straight ahead for 250 metres.

(11) At the three-way junction, turn left. Cross a tarmac road and continue straight ahead towards the village of Le Magdelon. Ignore the paths on the right and left until you reach a tarmac road.

(12) Enter the village by taking this tarmac road on the right. After two houses on the right, continue keeping to the right towards the village of L'Âge Grillon. Cross it and continue north-west.

(13) When you reach Bois de la Chantignolle, take the track on the right. Cross the causeway over a pond and continue to Château de Bellefaye.

(14) Turn left and go around the buildings on the left to rejoin the tarmac road. Follow this road to the left and continue to the chapel.

(15) In front of the chapel, turn right and follow the tarmac road.

(16) At the junction with Route de Nouhant, take the beautiful track opposite. Ignore the paths on either side.

(17) When the path reaches a crossroads of tarmac roads, take the one opposite (east-north-east). This road turns into a track at the Sagne du Bourgnon farm: continue straight ahead until you reach another tarmac road.

(18) Take the tarmac road on the right and head towards Lamaids church (S/E).

(6) Château du Fressineau (15th century).
(8) Nouhant Church (12th century).
(14) Bellefaye Castle.
(15) Chapel (13th century).