The circular from Montaigne to Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne

This hike winds its way near the Château de Montaigne, located in the commune of Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne. It is a 14th-century fortified house that was the family home of the Renaissance philosopher and thinker Michel de Montaigne.
The vineyard is part of the Bergerac appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC).

Details

1935466
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.11 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 105 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 98 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 96 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 16 m

Description of the walk

The route starts from the school car park.

(S/E) Turn right onto the D9 road and pass in front of the town hall and then the Château de Montaigne. Continue along the road for about 600 metres until you reach the next crossroads (be careful to stay on the side of the road).

(1) Turn left, then take the first road on the right towards Boisseau to reach the dirt track higher up (between the houses).

(2) Continue straight ahead on the path that descends into the woods and follow this path to the road.
At the road, turn left and at the next bend, follow the road to the left towards Chai-Neuf.

(3) Turn right, then left to join the limestone path on your right. Follow the path to the edge of the woods, then take the path opposite to the tarmac road.

(4) At the crossroads, turn left, then take the first road on the right (with the cross) towards Bonnefare. Take the dead-end road (limestone path) and follow the stone wall on the right. Follow this path until you reach the tarmac road.

(5) When you reach the road, continue for 50 metres and follow the path opposite around the bend to pass to the left of the vineyards. Stay on this path for about 900 metres.

(6) Before entering the hamlet of Les Illarets, turn left onto the path in the woods to reach the cemetery.

(7) After passing the cemetery, turn left onto the tarmac road, continue for 300 metres and take the path on the right. Cross the road to take the path opposite and continue to a place called Le Giraudon.

(8) When you reach the road, turn left. At the D9, cross and take the path opposite towards Fournier. Shortly before the road, turn onto the path on the left to head north, level with the Périgourdine house.

(9) Turn right between the vineyards, then left. Just after the meadow, turn left and continue straight ahead to rejoin the D9 and return to the starting point. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 79 m - School car park
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 72 m - Road on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.16 - alt. 83 m - Path leading down into the woods
  4. 3 : km 2.71 - alt. 26 m - Chai Neuf. Near the - Lidoire (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Dordogne
  5. 4 : km 4.18 - alt. 32 m - Virolles
  6. 5 : km 5.49 - alt. 78 m - Bonnefare
  7. 6 : km 6.49 - alt. 73 m - Path on the left before the hamlet
  8. 7 : km 6.95 - alt. 78 m - Cemetery
  9. 8 : km 7.74 - alt. 86 m - Le Giraudon hamlet
  10. 9 : km 8.92 - alt. 92 m - Path through the vineyards
  11. S/E : km 10.11 - alt. 80 m - School car park

Notes

Castillon la Bataille Tourist Information Office
5 allées de la République
33350 Castillon la Bataille
Tel: +33 (0)5 57 40 27 58
Email: contact@tourisme@castillonpujols.fr
https://www.tourisme-castillonpujols.fr/

The Castillon-la-Bataille Tourist Information Office is open:
June to September: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
October to May: Monday from 9.30am to 12.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm.

Toilets and drinking water are available behind the town hall.
You can follow the markers still present on the circular.

Worth a visit

Saint-Michel Church was built in the 12th century, partially destroyed by fire during the Wars of Religion, and restored in the early 17th century with funds donated by Montaigne's wife. It has been classified as a historic monument since 1970.

Before or after your walk, visit the Château de Montaigne and its historic tower, set in the heart of a 20-hectare vineyard.
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), who was born in the château, wrotehis"Essays" here. The library tower is listed as a historic monument.

Two sites within a 30 km radius of Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites: the Routes of Santiago de Compostela and the Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
BERNARDLAB
BERNARDLAB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I didn't think I would review this hike (done on a beautiful autumn day with lovely scenery), but since you asked... Unfortunately, I was followed from the start by two dogs, one of which was quite aggressive whenever I stopped. It was 8 km of horror, with these two dogs threatening to knock over cyclists on the trail, barking aggressively at dogs in nearby houses, and staying in the middle of the road despite passing cars. I was insulted by local residents and motorists who thought I was the owner of these dogs, which were not on leashes, of course. I cut the hike short in order to get back to my vehicle, the only way to get rid of these animals. I was unable to urinate or have a picnic, a small necessity and pleasure of a hike. These animals are apparently known in the area for their behaviour, according to one of the cyclists. I had never experienced such a problem before, as dogs usually stop following walkers quickly.

Perhaps it is not worth publishing this review, as this seems to be an exceptional circumstance given the other comments.

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isèrevercors
isèrevercors

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, beautiful scenery, to be completed by 12 noon if too hot, varied landscapes

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ChantalZ
ChantalZ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike, which took place on a Sunday, perfectly met the expectations of our group of 16 walkers. Of course, even if you don't visit it, the Tower of Montaigne alone is worth the trip for the reflection it inspires. We were able to walk freely in the castle grounds (with a beautiful view from the terrace). The walk itself takes place in a very varied landscape with beautiful views. A few hills, sometimes crowned – oh irony – with a calvary, challenge the body but are nothing too difficult. Long stretches through damp, unspoilt woods will delight lovers of exotic scenery. The signposting is impeccable, except at point 2, where a sign could be added at the intersection of two forest paths. We did not encounter the difficulty mentioned by Cathie.
Highly recommended.
Michel 33000 Visorandonneur

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cathie33500
cathie33500

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

When we arrived at a property (with a large wooden gate), there were no more hiking markers. We were lost. We walked along rows of vines to get to Les Illarets, where we met some people who told us that this section was poorly maintained and that we couldn't go any further. It was still a very nice hike!

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EON Brigitte
EON Brigitte

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, it was very enjoyable.
We were able to enjoy the scenery more because the route is fully signposted, so there was no stress.

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delangeb
delangeb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant, varied route.
The signposting is well done.
Following heavy rainfall in recent weeks, some sections are a little soggy and muddy.
We will do it again when the weather improves.

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Ardechois33
Ardechois33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After point 2, the descent was very slippery on the day we passed through.
Nice forest section between points 3 and 4
The passage through Bonnefare is very interesting (see the church) and just before Castellot there is a very clear view.
The passage before point 9 is not obvious (it feels like you are passing through private property).
All in all, a very nice route that we took again later to make a circular 19 km route via Pombazet (remarkable well at Faure Sourd and a mill after Pombazet). If I get permission from the author of this first part, I will suggest this 19 km route to Visorando.

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Xavier Pradeau
Xavier Pradeau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful walk through the woods and across the wine-growing plateau around Château de Montaigne.

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joegoux
joegoux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk. Varied and magnificent scenery, woods, vineyards... I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author.

Joë

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bobca
bobca

Hello,
I did part of this route a few years ago, it's very pretty (and very green).
Please note: the Libourne-Sarlat TER train passes very close by (Lamothe-Montravel station, 3 km from St Michel Montaigne).

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