Hamlets and heritage of the Pays Sans'Freinois

Start from the village of Saint-Symphorien-des-Bois at the Place de la Mairie, on the Route d'Amanzé.

(S/E) Leaving the car park, turn left twice towards La Fosse Purcher. Follow the A-road to reach the Lotissement Champagne.

(1) Continue straight ahead and follow the dirt track straight on. Turn left at the junction.

(2) When you reach the Croix de l'Homme Mort, on the border with the commune of Saint-Germain-en-Brionnais, turn left. Go straight on and cross the woods. Along the edge of the path, you can see old beech trees with names carved into them. This path is called the "Chemin des Amoureux".

(3) At the crossroads, cross the Route d'Amanzé and you will arrive in the hamlet of Saint-Georges. Once you have crossed the hamlet, turn right then left and head right towards Giverdier, with its typical Brionnais houses.

(4) Take the dirt track behind the house, heading towards La Pouge. Continue straight on until you reach the D985.

(5)Take care when crossing the road. Then head towards Les Rondets, on the border with the commune of Curbigny. Take the dirt track to the right, then left, which leads to the Château de Drée. Before the château, keep to the right. Walk along the edge of the grounds and admire its beautiful façade, keeping to the left. It is a^17th- and^18th-century château. Continue northwards towards Saint-Symphorien-des-Bois.

(6) At the edge of the woods, take a path through the undergrowth that leads you left towards the Étang de Baubigny and its hamlet, with its beautiful stone houses.

(7) Continue straight on towards Les Essarts and then La Verrerie. Turn right and continue straight on twice towards Saint-Prix, where a visit to the Romanesque chapel is a must.

(8) Take the path on the left before the chapel, then head towards the hamlet of En Soleil.

(9) Continue along the path. When you reach the highest point of the trail, you can take a short detour to the right to visit Notre-Dame des Bois. Otherwise, continue straight on twice. At the next two forks, turn right then left towards Les Loges. Head back up to the hamlet of En Soleil by going straight on and passing by the football pitch. Shortly after this, turn right and you’ll arrive at Vieux Bourg with its old chapel.

(10) Head back up and turn left towards the village, with its church and hall. At the fork, turn right, then take the second road on the left at the next junction to reach the car park (S/E).

Drée Castle

Baubigny Pond

Romanesque Chapel of St-Prix