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Park near the Étang de la Brossardière.
(S/E) We set off from the Étang de la Brossardière at the roundabout (Rue de la Brossardière). We head towards the bridge, in the direction of Le Magnou, and descend the path on the left after the bridge among the poplar trees. We continue downhill towards the stream, turn right to cross over some large stones and then take a wooden footbridge, continuing to the right through the undergrowth. We arrive at a car park and take the bridge on the right.
(1) Walk towards the road tunnel, cross the road to take a path and go up the path on the right.
(2) At the first crossroads (elevation 54), turn right. Continue and climb the path on the left that passes between two ponds. At the top of the path, at a place called La Brissonnière, continue straight ahead on the road to reach a cross.
(3) Continue straight ahead. You will arrive at the Brande farm. You will find yourself on a path again and head west, avoiding the two paths on the right. You will come to a road, turn right and at the fork 100 m further on, turn left.
(4) After a kilometre and a half, the path arrives at Venansault. When you reach the street, go down Allée des Chênes. Opposite, you can take a path on the left. Cross another street and take the one-way street on the right, passing in front of a wash house.
(5) Continue towards the school, passing it on your left, and follow the stream. Cross Rue de Saint-André and continue following the stream. You will arrive at the ponds.
(6) Head left along the pond and cross the large footbridge. Turn left along another pond and keep to the right (footpath - fitness trail) to reach a small bridge. Go up the path behind the Château de la Boursière. When you reach the road, turn left to go down to the Gué du Guyon, take the footbridge and go up the path on the right (very wet when it rains).
(7) Continue to the right along the woods to reach Les Fontenelles.
(8) At the road, turn right and continue for one kilometre along this quiet road. Pass the farm and Château des Fontenelles. At a place called La Plinière, take the path between a barn and an old house.
(9) After the house, turn left and go up the path. After 200 metres, turn left and walk towards Moulin des Fontenelles.
(10) We cross the locality, turning left and going down the road. At the bend, we turn right to rejoin the path that leads us to the Abbaye des Fontenelles (private property - access is permitted for pedestrians - watch out for dogs).
(11) Before arriving at the abbey, the bridge over the Guyon is prone to flooding. There is no other way to get around the obstacle (flooded during heavy rainfall). In the event of flooding, therefore:
- 1 - I cross, getting my feet wet.
- 2 - I turn back and take a longer route.
- 3 - The safest option is to locate the spot before the hike.
We go up the road towards Parc des Fontenelles, keeping to the left. We pass the park. We don't take the first right towards the park, but take the second path on the right to reach the Venansault road. We follow the road on the right and quickly cross the D42 (be careful on the road!)
(12) Take the path opposite, which leads to La Guibretière. At the crossroads, turn left then right onto Chemin des Grands Pâtis. Follow the path downhill.
(2) At the first crossroads, we rejoin our starting path, which we take to the right to return to the car park
Return to the car park.
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