Once upon a time in the west of Caen

Park at the Joyeux Coureurs car park, Route de Louvigny.

(S/E) Cross the road and head towards the railway line to join the Chemin de Caen.

(1) Do not go under the railway line but turn left onto the Chemin de Caen/Chemin des Costils Lamballard.

(2) At the left-hand bend, continue along the road, go under the road bridge, then turn right onto Rue de Québec. Facing the railway line, turn left and continue along Chemin de Caen
Alternative route: you can take the path on the right which joins the Chemin de Caen.

(3) At the edge of the woodland, you can turn left onto the path alongside the Petit Odon. Take care in wet weather; it is best to stay on the Chemin des Costils Lamballard until you reach the Venelle Pavée (marked on the map).

(4) At the Venelle Pavée, turn left towards the river and walk along its right bank until you reach Rue des Canadiens.

(5) Walk up this street towards the village of Bretteville-sur-Odon, cross the Route de Bretagne at the pedestrian crossing, then take the Chemin des Costils Baudet a few metres further on. Ignore the Impasse du Relais and turn left.

(6) After the railway bridge, head down along the edge of the cultivated field.
Alternative route: you can stay on the upper path, keeping to the left at all times. The two paths will join further on. In late spring and early summer, you’ll be accompanied by numerous wild orchids.

(7) The route enters an urban area. Take care: turn left onto Rue de Brocéliande, staying on the pavement. Cross the road at the Korian care home and continue along Rue de Brocéliande.

(8) Just before the modern church – a square building with round and triangular windows – turn right onto the path. Cross Boulevard Pompidou with care (2 lanes plus 2 side lanes) and continue until you reach the brown-and-pink wall of the Detention Centre. Turn right and walk alongside the prison wall, staying on Rue Robert Kaskoreff. Change pavements using whichever pedestrian crossing is convenient for you. Cross Rue Nicolas Oresme and enter Parc Saint-Paul. Exit the park to the right after the Statue of the Virgin and Child and continue left onto Rue Monseigneur Adam; for your safety, take the right-hand pavement as soon as possible, until you reach the local prison.
At the corner of the building, take Allée des Pêchers and keep to the right to join Rue des Abricotiers. Take the stairs at the end of the street to reach Boulevard André Detolle and cross it at the traffic lights on your left.

(9) Immediately after crossing, turn right onto Promenade Napoléon Premier. Please note that this is a cycle path. Stay on the footpath to the left of it. Continue until you reach the Zénith roundabout.

(10) Stay on this pavement as you head down Boulevard Yves Guillou on the left. Please note that you are walking alongside a very busy cycle path here. Stay on the pedestrian section, particularly near the Paul bakery, on the corner of Rue du Blanc. Pedestrians must stay at the kerb and walk past the bus stop before crossing the cycle path again.

(11) At the traffic lights, turn left onto Avenue Albert Sorel and, shortly afterwards, take the underpass on the left to enter La Prairie. This is a shared path, so watch out for cyclists. At the end, follow the signs for the greenway and stay on the riverbank until you reach the Joyeux Coureurs car park (S/E).

A semi-urban walk with no particular difficulties.
N.B.: This semi-urban walk was organised to help a group get back into the swing of things following the pandemic restrictions. It is not of particular tourist interest but allows us to rekindle the bonds that had grown distant during that period.