Between Dampierre-sur-Loire and Montsoreau

Start from the car park near the town hall in Dampierre-sur-Loire, entrance via Chemin des Quétiers (near the campsite and the motorhome park).

(S/E) Leave the car park and head towards Route de Montsoreau (D947) in the direction of Saumur; follow it to the right for 50 m, then cross it carefully to take the narrow, steep hillside path to join the GR®3.

(1) Follow it southwards to the cross at the junction with the D205.

(2) Cross it carefully and follow the GR®3 north-east through the vineyards of Souzay-Champigny, which leads to the church at Parnay: a viewpoint over the Loire.

(3) Follow the GR®3 to Parnay Sud and join Rue Valbrun.

(4) Follow it to the left for a few dozen metres and, at the three-way junction, turn right into Rue des Bideaux, then right again into Rue de la Cave Forte. Follow the GR®3 south-west until you reach a path on the left through the vineyards, where you leave the GR®.

(5) Take this path to reach Val Hulin PC 62 and rejoin the GR®3. Follow it to the left heading north.

(6) Turn right at the signpost and continue to Place de la Mairie de Turquant.

(7) Walk down the street, then, at the stop sign, turn right onto Rue de la Vignole, passing the Manoir de la Vignole whilst admiring the façades of the troglodyte houses. Turn right into the vineyards.

(8) Join the GR®3, pass the old mill and then the Route des Mazières, which climbs up from Montsoreau.

(9) Cross this road, then take the path on the left to reach the Arceau car park and cross it. Follow the River Arceau and walk past the Maison du Parc.

(10) Cross Avenue de la Loire at the pedestrian crossing and head to the banks of the Loire. Make use of the facilities (tables and benches) for a picnic. Continue left, following the left bank of the Loire along the shared cycle and footpath, cross a bridge over the Loire and then pass under the power lines. Continue along the narrower path, still shared with cyclists, and reach the Souzay car park.

(11) Carefully cross the Route des Ducs d'Anjou (D947), turn right onto the path leading towards the school, following the signs for "Rue des Troglodytes". Follow the signs and the tunnels that lead back down to the Route de Montsoreau (caution: shared space with cyclists).

(12) Carefully cross the Rue des Ducs d'Anjou again to join the cycle path that runs alongside the road and leads back to the car park (S/E).

The route along the Loire can only be used in spring, summer and autumn, except during periods of flooding or in wet weather (when sections may be slippery or muddy).

Many paths are shared by cyclists and pedestrians. Please observe the highway code and respect the sharing of paths.

You will find GR®3 signposting to follow on certain sections. For hikers not used to reading maps, use a GPS or a GPX track-reading app.

Some sections are quite steep and feature handrails or wooden walkways, which can become slippery in wet weather.

There are numerous eco-museums and manor houses to visit, including the village and château of Montsoreau, and the villages of Turquant and Candes

Saumur Val de Loire Tourism
8 bis quai Carnot – CS 54032 – 49415 Saumur Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)2 41 40 20 60 – Fax. +33 (0)2 41 40 20 69
Opening hours

www.saumur-tourisme.com

Please contact the Montsoreau Park Visitor Centre

https://www.parc-loire-anjou-touraine.fr/destination-parc/la-maison-du-parc-montsoreau

Fontrevraud Abbey https://www.fontevraud.fr/