Gentle hiking in Montpon-Ménestérol

There is a car park on the town hall square in Ménesplet, 10 Rue de la République. To reach the starting point, turn right as you leave the car park and head towards the D3E2.
Other starting points are available: Pont de Ménesplet, Marcillac (Lawrence of Arabia Road), Marcillac (Hameau de Marcillac Road), Ménestérol, Chandos Leisure Centre, Vauclaire. Signs and markers will guide you along the route.

(S/E) Turn left onto the D3E2 and cross the Eiffel-style bridge. At the end, turn right and follow the River Isle. Continue along the river, following the ‘servitude de marchepied’ signs. (There is a car park near the Lawrence of Arabia Road.)

(1) At the end of the path, you’ll reach the hamlet of Marcillac: look out for another “servitude de marchepied” sign. Turn right. (A small grassy area can accommodate five or six cars.) Walk to the right through the bamboo, past a watercress bed and even a millstone.

(2) At the dam, continue straight ahead and enjoy a lovely descent through a wooded area towards the stream, keeping to the wooden markers.

(3) At the bottom of this descent, continue through the forest. The climb back up follows the forest path alongside the Isle towards the Ménestérol lock (where you have the option of another starting point.)

(4) Continue along the river and then head down towards the Chandos Leisure Centre. Cross the D708, Avenue André Malraux, with care. This section towards Vauclaire is currently inaccessible following the collapse of part of the riverbank due to the February floods. The Ménesplet bridge is open at the Chandos Leisure Centre.

(5) Keep going straight ahead, then keep to the right until you reach the lock. Continue along the river towards Port de Calandre, always following the wooden markers.

(6) Pass the lock on your right, then head towards Vauclaire, turning left into the woods. Look out for a yellow marker indicating the PDIPR (Departmental Plan for Walking and Hiking Routes).

(7) Take this path. First turn right then left, crossing a road. Continue straight ahead. When you reach a hilltop, cross Allée Nelson Mandela.

(8) Follow the ‘servitude de marchepied’ sign on the left. Leave the PDIPR path to admire the beautiful Chartreuse monastery. Continue, then turn left onto the road and go straight on. Cross a road. Then follow a track, and go to the end to reach the hamlet of Vauclaire and the locality known as La Vignerie.

(9) The return to the car park (S/E) follows the reverse route of the outward journey.

There is a car park on the town hall square in Ménesplet, 10 Rue de la République. To reach the starting point, turn right when leaving the car park and continue to the D3E2.

Wear suitable footwear and bring mosquito repellent. Not recommended in case of heavy rainfall.

You can connect to the Boucle de Vauclaire and walk through the woods on a 3 km marked trail (PDIPR trail). On this same trail, download Dorie, the little lizard storyteller.