From Louvois to Les Faux de Verzy via the Tour Brisset

Start from the cemetery in Louvois. Park in the small car park in front of the cemetery.

(S/E) With your back to the cemetery, turn left and take the path that climbs quite steeply up into the small valley. This is the GR®14, marked in red and white. Once you reach the vineyards, take the path that runs between the vines and the woods. After 200 m, a sign points towards the Tour Brisset, 200 m away.

(1) Walk past it, continuing straight on. The route passes this way on the return journey.

(2) Shortly afterwards, ignore a path on the left (the return route) and, at the next junction, do not enter the woods, but stay on the path that runs between the vineyards and the woods.

(3) Walk past the Bouzy viewpoint, which offers a lovely view of the Bouzy vineyards. Continue straight ahead.

(4) When you see the telecommunications mast, enter the woods briefly for 50 m. Then continue along the edge of the vineyards. It is possible to follow the GR®14 markings all the way, but the vineyard path offers better views and is easier to walk on.

(5) Further on, the GR® enters the woods. Follow it; it is well signposted. After 300 m, turn left, following the signposts.

(6) 250 m after the bend, ignore a path on the left (the route takes this later).

(7) At the next junction, turn right at a right angle, following the GR® markings.

(8) Once you reach the Route de la Forêt Royale, leave the GR®14 and turn left into the forest track, following the sign for “Circular Trail of the Royal Forest”. Stay on this forest track.

(9) The road turns right then left at a T-junction, leading to the junction with the Route Forestière du Grippet (bench).

(10) Take the Route Forestière des Pins straight ahead. Note: You can choose not to visit Les Faux; simply turn left at this junction.

(11) After 500 m, turn right onto the path that runs past Les Faux. At the end of the path, join the Route Forestière des Faux.

(12) Turn right onto the Route Forestière du Grippet. After 50 m, there is an information board about the Faux de Verzy and some picnic benches. Continue to a junction.

(13) Turn right, returning to the junction with the Route Forestière des Pins, which you passed on the way out.

(10) Continue straight ahead along the wide track (Route du Grippet).

(14) Just after the low point, take the path that descends into the woods on the left. Continue along this path and ignore the paths branching off to the left. At a large tree, the path turns slightly to the left.

(15) At the junction with a bench, continue straight ahead.

(16) At the T-junction, turn right and follow the path which soon turns left.

(17) At the next T-junction, turn left. After 150 m, ignore the path branching off to the left and take the path on the right which climbs between the woods and a young tree plantation. After 500 m, you will come to a junction you passed earlier and rejoin the GR®.

(7) Continue straight ahead to the next junction.

(6) Turn right and continue in the same direction for 300 m. This path is muddy, particularly in winter. It goes round a large fallen tree on the left.

(18) When you reach a fork, take the right-hand path, as the actual trail on the left is difficult to follow. You will reach the edge of a deep hole; go round it, staying on the path. Risk of falling – do not go near it.

(19) At the T-junction, turn right. Continue straight on, cross a junction and walk to the next junction where there is a gate.

(20) At the barrier, go straight ahead and walk to the next barrier.

(21) At this other barrier, continue straight ahead. Please note, the path is not shown on the map, but it is definitely there. Go straight on, ignoring the paths to the right and left.

(22) Ignore another path on the left and, 100 m further on, you will reach the Brisset Tower (private property, please respect the site).

(23) Head back the way you came until you reach the next junction.

(22) Turn right and walk until you reach the edge of the vineyards.

(2) Turn right and follow the GR® in the opposite direction to the way out.

(1) Before the copse, turn left onto the vineyard path (this avoids the descent into the ravine). Walk straight on until you reach a T-junction.

(24) Turn right and head down to the village. Pass in front of a wayside cross. Continue in the same direction.

(25) Take the unpaved path to the housing estate. Turn right and head for the cemetery car park (S/E).

This is a former Visorando route that has been modified due to restrictions (barriers and signs) from the “Le Champ de Vaux” car park.

Picnic benches at the information panel for Les Faux de Verzy.

Please note: between the (14) and the Tour Brisset, the paths are not signposted. You must follow the map very carefully or usethe Visorando app. If in doubt, you can rejoin the outbound route at this point and find your way back to the Tour Brisset via the GR® (signposted)

On the outward journey, the route passes above the vineyards for the view. To walk in the shade, you can take the GR®14 which goes through the woods.

There is no water along the route. The woods can be muddy at the start of the walk and between (18).

You can also park in the small car park in front of the château and walk to the starting point, which is very close by.

Bakery in Louvois

Check the Montagne de Reims Nature Park website for hunting days.
https://dateschasse.parc-montagnedereims...

Louvois Castle, private property.

Brisset Tower:
The Brisset Tower was built at the end of the last century by an industrialist from Reims, on the heights of Bouzy and Louvois. It stands on the site where a watchtower once stood.
The architectural style is medieval. Please note that this is private property; please respect the site.

Faux de Verzy:

A Faux de Verzy (Fagus sylvatica var. tortuosa) is a twisted beech tree that grows in the Verzy forest near Reims. See website

From the (12), you can see the information panel about the Faux de Verzy by heading almost straight ahead and walking 50 metres.

Champagne producers in Louvois.