Discover Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon: water, forest, pastures

Park in the car park at the bottom of the village of Saint-Didier, on the banks of the Doulon. To get there, walk past the Auberge and turn right at the church.

(S/E) Return to the centre of the village and leave the church on your right. Turn left and follow the D56 towards Croix de Cenat.

(1) After about 400m on the road, take a path on the right (called Chemin des Poteaux). Climb up, following several bends.

(2) At the crossroads near the D19, take the path on the left. At the next crossroads, turn right. Turn left along the path and stay parallel to the D19. At the end of the path, turn right to join the D19.

(3) Cross the road ( with caution) and continue on a small road opposite. At the three-way junction, turn left to reach the Cenat chapel.

(4) Return to the three-way junction and turn left towards Estivareil.

(5) At the fork, go left. Cross the hamlet of Estivareil.

(6) At the end of the tarmac road, take a path on the right (viewpoint over the Monts du Cantal). At the next fork, go right.

(7) Cross the tarmac road and enter the woods via the path opposite (do not take the path on the right, which is more visible). Climb up through the forest. When you leave the forest, cross the D56 with caution and reach the hamlet of Auchamp.

(8) Enter Auchamp and turn left after the house to join the D56. Follow the yellow markings to point 9.
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(9) At the crossroads below the village of Le Mas, take the path downhill on the right. Reach Bafoulet (old mill).

(10) Cross the Doulon river via a footbridge, turn immediately right and follow the path south-west through the woods towards the Château de Servières.

(11) At the stone cross, turn left (southeast) and pass in front of Château de Servières. Descend and you will come out onto the D19.

(12) Cross the road (with caution) and follow it to the right for about 50 metres. Then take a sharp left onto a tarmac path. Follow this path, ignoring all the paths on the left.

(13) Turn right towards Chalus and immediately leave the road and continue straight ahead on a path (south-west). Descend to the village of Saint-Didier. Pass in front of the town hall, continue straight ahead and cross the Doulon. Pass behind the church and turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

The only refreshment point is the Auberge du Doulon. The route follows forest paths where you will be in the shade if the sun is shining and sheltered if the wind is blowing.

The chapel at Cenat is dedicated to Saint Abdon and Saint Cenen, from whom the village takes its name.
“A papal bull issued by Pope Clement XI, dated 1707, is displayed in the chapel of Cénat, in the commune of Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon in Haute-Loire. It places the chapel under the protection of Abdon and Cenen.”
On your way back from the chapel, you pass the village fountain and wash house.

Estivareil: fountain and drinking trough at the entrance to the village. Viewpoint over the Monts du Cantal at the top of the village.

La Vèze, Le Soleil and Le Mas: these three hilltop villages overlook the Doulon valley.

Bafoulet Mill: the owner has restored the remains of the mill, particularly the millstones. Please respect the site.

Château de Servières: recently restored, not open to visitors. See the website below:
http://www.chateau-fort-manoir-chateau.e...