La Celle - Noirlac Abbey

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In Bruère-Allichamps, a stone topped with the French flag marks the geographical centre of France.
Until the4th century, this stone showed Roman legions the right direction and bears the following inscription:
Happy Augustus, Tribune for thethird time, Father of the Fatherland - Proconsul.
Leagues: 14 from Bourges (Avaricum)
12 from Châteaumeillant (Mediolanum)
25 from Neris

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Meillant to Tronçais path

Details

n°895583
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 25 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 51 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 189 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 147 m
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Photos

Bruère-Allichamps
Noirlac Abbey
Centre de la France column - Bruère-Allichamps

Description of the walk

(S) From the Place de l'Église in La Celle, leave the church on your left and turn right onto the D92 until you reach the Centre de la France column.

(1) Cross the departmental road, continue along Rue du Pont, then turn left opposite the large stone house. Caution: traffic.

(2) Follow the signs for "panorama" through the historic centre. Leave Rue Georges Sand.

(3) At Chemin des Vignes, turn right until you reach the viewpoint. Follow the clearing.

(4) Turn right at the entrance to the forest. Caution: difficult and dangerous descent.
Arrive on the D35 opposite Avignon Céramic. Caution: traffic.
Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach thefirst road on your right.

(5) Turn right. Cross the Noirlac bocage. Cher Sensitive Natural Area to Noirlac Abbey (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 178 m - Place de l'Église de la Celle
  2. 1 : km 0.8 - alt. 164 m - Centre de la France information point
  3. 2 : km 1.05 - alt. 158 m - Large stone house
  4. 3 : km 1.46 - alt. 173 m - Vineyard trail
  5. 4 : km 2.66 - alt. 183 m - Turn right at the entrance to the forest - Continue until you reach &gt - Le Cher
  6. 5 : km 4.1 - alt. 151 m - Entrance to the Sensitive Natural Area - Bocage de Noirlac
  7. E : km 6.65 - alt. 154 m - Abbaye de Noirlac

Notes

La Celle:
- Drinking water: 3, Rue des Carriers
- Public toilets: 2, Rue de la Forêt
Bruère-Allichamps:
- Shops, town centre
- Public toilets: Car park - Noirlac Abbey
- Drinking water: Car park - Noirlac Abbey

Worth a visit

- Saint-Blaise Church in La Celle
Dating fromthe 12th century, it is dedicated to Saint Blaise, patron saint of quarry workers and stonemasons. It is one of the most beautiful Romanesque monuments in the Cher department. The modillions and column capitals are very varied and the tomb of Saint Sylvain has been in this church since 1897.
- At the crossroads in the village of Bruère-Allichamps, a monumental stone marks the geographical centre of France.
- The Noirlac Bocage is classified as a Sensitive Natural Area and protects several species of flora and fauna.
- Noirlac Abbey - Cistercian abbey founded in 1150

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
antcayl
antcayl

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The main attraction is the bocage landscape and the peaceful path that runs through it. Fortunately, the section of road (except for the stretch through La Celle and Bruère-Alllichamps) is not too busy, but we would rather do without it. We added the route from the abbey to Lake Virlay, going around it. Then we returned by the same route to La Celle. This makes a complete route of 22.5 km.

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jeflemon
jeflemon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Wanting to extend the hike between Noirlac Abbey and Lake Virlay a little, we added a section of this hike (2.5 km) in the Noirlac countryside. A very pleasant walk with lovely rural and bucolic scenery, plus lots of little information boards (Cher Sensitive Natural Area, ENS)

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verthi60
verthi60

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

the starting point is a picturesque village, and what can be said about the destination? Obviously, Noirlac Abbey is a must-see monument in Berry

a clarification in (4): it says to take the first road on the right on the D35; you need to pass a first road on the right where there is a barrier but where a hiker could venture and take the road further to the right, which is signposted "Chemin de Meillant à Tronçais"

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gfomdu
gfomdu

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It's a shame you can't do a loop; you need two cars or you have to make a return trip

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