Ponds and crosses around Cressat

Park near La Paillote, facing the pond on the right towards the wooden house.

(S/E) Walk round the pond, take the path downhill, then walk down to the left, along the roadside in the grass for about a hundred metres. Cross the D990 with care and take the path opposite. Follow this path to the end. You’ll reach the^first cross.

(1) Turn left, then walk through the village of Montbarteix, following the road until you reach a small stone bridge.

(2) Turn onto the path on the right, stay on this path and continue until you reach the edge of a meadow, where you turn right. Carry on until you reach the railway bridge.

(3) Turn right onto a wide, carriageable track lined with hedgerows. Join the D990 again.

(4) Follow it carefully to the left for a few metres, then cross the road to take the path opposite, to the right of the^first house. At the next junction, stay on the path on the right. Cross a stream and you’ll emerge at the entrance to Le Theil. Turn right and head towards the village square, where you’ll find a lime tree and a wrought-iron cross. Continue straight on along the road ahead and you’ll soon come to a crossroads with a pond.

(5) Here you have two options:
- keep to the right on the road, walk past the Cressat cemetery and you’ll then come to the pond and the Paillote car park:/A:,
- cross the road and head straight ahead (as shown on the map); stay on this path, turning left at the next crossroads. Walk along the edge of the meadow. Then continue along the main path until you reach another road.

(6) Turn right onto this road, carry on until you reach two bends before the village of La Bussière. Leave the road at the^second bend and turn right; start a short climb, then cross the next road. Walk past a water tower and carry on until you reach the road, which you should cross. Continue on and walk alongside a woodland before rejoining the D13.

(7) Follow it to the right for about a hundred metres and cross it – be careful as it’s a busy road – then take the^first path on the left. Walk through the village of Villalier to reach the house built on a rock.

(8) Turn right towards the D13, cross it carefully and take the small road opposite, just past the^second house. Take the path on the right and follow it straight on. You’ll then join the D990; turn right until you reach Cressat Town Hall.

(9) Continue right along Route du Capitaine Moure, pass the church and carry on until you reach the lake. Turn slightly left to return to the Paillote car park (S/E).