The Auvours hill in Yvré-l'Evêque

Parking at the Roman Bridge car park near La Peupleraie.
Blue signposting.

(S/E) On leaving the car park, take the road on the left and turn left at the first junction.

(1) Cross the Huisne via the Roman Bridge to take the Route de la Garenne and pass a roundabout near the hamlet of Le Gravois.

(2) As you pass (on the left), you can admire a hundred-year-old sequoia. Cross the bridge over the D20bis then turn right.

(3) In front of the Croix des Zouaves Pontificaux, leave the road on your left and continue straight ahead. At the entrance to the hamlet, turn left onto the Chemin de la Fabrique, then left again to take the path leading up to the Auvours hill, where you will find the Battle Memorial and General Gougeard’s gravestone.

(4) From here, you can also enjoy the panoramic view. After visiting the site, head back down the same path to the junction and turn left onto Chemin de la Fabrique.

(5) Take the dirt track on the left through the woods, passing under the motorway via the underpass.
Continue for 100 m and turn left onto the sunken lane lined with hundred-year-old chestnut trees, following it to its end.

(6) After the bend, at the pylon, continue straight on along the poplar grove, pass the gas installation and continue along the shaded path which descends for 900 m to La Closerie.

(7) After 100 m, turn left onto the very pleasant sunken lane which climbs up to the Crapaudière crossroads. Cross the Route de la Garenne then continue straight on along the Chemin de Filles Dieu.

(8) On leaving the hamlet of Filles Dieu, take the path on the left which leads onto the Route de Réveillon. Follow the road to the left and pass under the motorway bridge,

(9) Turn left onto the path that climbs up the hillside alongside the motorway fence. Once you reach the road, turn right to reach the Croix aux Zouaves crossroads, then follow the route in the opposite direction towards the Roman Bridge and the car park (S/E).

(S/E) Picnic tables near the car park, also to the right of the Roman Bridge with shelter.

(1) The Stone Bridge (Roman bridge). There are written records of the Roman Bridge dating back to the year 835. It is thought to have been built during the Roman occupation, which lasted from 52 BC to the year 496. We also know that this bridge was built on the site of a ford that merchants and herds had been using since time immemorial.
(2) Centenary sequoia.
(4) Monument on the Auvours hill, which was the scene of a deadly episode during the 1870 war. Tombstone of General Gougeard.