Between forges and forests in Valay

The trail starts in the courtyard of Château Petremand (school). Parking is available. There is a signpost at the start of the trail, as well as two information panels about the history of the village and Château Petremand.

(S/E) Leave the courtyard towards the church.

(1) At the exit of the castle courtyard, turn right onto Rue de la Grotte. Then turn right onto the first street, along the Tourouge towards Rue de l'Abreuvoir, until you reach a fork.

(2) Turn right to follow the Boucle du Tacot. To do the Fresse loop, turn left onto Rue Fénelon. Otherwise , continue straight ahead until you reach the gate of Château de Valay.

(3) Turn around in front of the castle gate, then continue right on the road, then right again until you reach a white path opposite.

(4) Take the white path on the left to continue on the Boucle du Tacot. In the forest, the path crosses the old railway line.

(5) Turn right and continue along the forest path until you reach a clearing and the intersection with the Bois de Riand.

(6) Turn left to continue towards the Boucle Sainte-Cécile. To return to Valay and complete the Boucle du Tacot, turn right. Directional signs will help you find your way. Alternatively, turn left, then 90° right until you reach the departmental road.

(7) Watch out for traffic. After crossing, follow the signs opposite until you reach the edge of the woods, then turn left onto the path that runs alongside the Bois de la Commanderie until you reach the fork.

(8) Start of the Sainte-Cécile loop. Take the path on the left until you leave the woods.

(9) Watch out for beehives on the right. Turn right and follow the white path to the road.

(10) Turn right, then left, and continue straight ahead on the white path. Watch out for vehicles. Continue until you reach a crossroads called Les Bruyères.

(11) You can reach the charming village of La Résie Saint-Martin by turning left twice. Then continue straight ahead until you reach a beautiful fountain and wash house, which is well worth a visit, as is the replica of a Second World War aircraft. Continue to the small square.

(12) Centre of the village of La Résie-Saint-Martin. You can start the loops from here. It is easy to park around the small square. Then return to the Bruyères crossroads.

(11) Continue left to reach the hamlet of Sainte-Cécile.

(13) In the hamlet of Sainte-Cécile, turn right onto the white road to reach the old chapel.

(14) Take the road on the right, then turn left onto the path until you reach the junction you came from.

(8) Turn left and retrace your steps until you reach the intersection with the Bois de Riand.

(6) Continue straight ahead until you leave the woods and reach a small copse.

(15) At the intersection, turn right to reach Valay and arrive at the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(4) Continue straight ahead, then rejoin the fork with Rue de l'Abreuvoir by retracing your steps.

(2) Turn right and follow the street to Place Fénelon and its intersection.

(16) At the stop sign on Rue Fénelon, turn right onto Rue du Château d'Eau, then left onto the footpath on Place Fénelon. At this point, there are two options. To complete the Tacot loop, go straight ahead on Rue du Général de Gaulle. Pass the town hall and the church, then return to the car park. You can also continue the route with the Fresse loop. To do this, turn right onto Rue du Général de Gaulle, then take the third street on the right, Rue de la Charme, until it ends.

(17) Go down Rue Constantin Provençal on the left, then take the bridge to continue on Rue de Châtelard. Leave a path on your left and follow this street, passing in front of some old forges.

(18) Continue until you reach the village exit. Then turn left onto the path that leads to the forest and follow the edge of the forest.

(19) Turn left into the woods. Pay close attention to the signposts. Exit the woods.

(20) At the edge of the woods, follow the field to reach the road. Turn left and follow the country road back to Valay. Pass a fork with a cross.

(21) At the crossroads, turn right onto Avenue de la Gare and continue to the church.

(22) Turn right and follow Avenue du Général de Gaulle on the right to return to the car park in the courtyard of Château Pétremand (S/E).

- Castles, old narrow-gauge railway track, wash house and fountain, church, ruins of a chapel