The ‘Enfants de la Lune’ walk starting from Sassetot-le-Mauconduit

Park at the fairground opposite Sissi Castle.

(S/E) Head south-west along the^GR®21, which follows Rue des Écoles. Continue to the Côte des Roulettes junction.

(1) Follow the^GR®21to the right. Walk through the Bois du Fonds du Hêtre. On emerging from the woods, you’ll reach the junction with a narrow tarmac road.

(2) Turn left onto this road and, after a gentle climb, reach the entrance to the village of Ancretteville-sur-Mer.

(3) Turn right onto Rue de la Mairie. On leaving the village, you’ll come to a wayside cross at a crossroads where several paths meet.

(4) Turn right, go through the wooden gate onto a downhill path – not shown on the IGN map but visible on the OSM map – which leads back onto the^GR®21.

(5) Turn left onto the^GR® and follow it into Saint-Pierre-en-Port. You’ll reach the crossroads by the church.

(6) Stay on the^GR® to cross a wooded park situated behind the former sanatorium. On leaving the park, head straight towards the sea. Reach the picnic area.

(7) Continue to the right along the tarmac path until you reach another crossroads.

(8) Leave the^GR® here and carry on straight ahead into the woods. After a few bends, you’ll reach the Grandes Dalles car park.

(9) Head due south along Rue des Péqueux and cross Les Grandes Dalles. You’ll emerge further on at a crossroads with four perpendicular roads.

(10) Turn left onto Chemin Vieille Côte. Please note: at the end of this path, near a wayside cross, rejoin the D79, which can be busy during the summer months. A few hundred metres further on, you’ll reach Rue des 24 Marches.

(11) Turn left onto this street to go round the grounds of Sissi Castle. You’ll soon reach the^GR®21.

(12) Follow it straight ahead, passing through a small beech wood as you walk alongside the former castle grounds. As you come out of a bend, you’ll reach the fairground car park on your left (S/E).

This route presents two minor challenges. Make the most of the superb panoramic views offered by Mother Nature. Walking shoes and walking sticks are essential.
(7) There are benches there, as well as a table for walkers.

(S/E) Once you reach the village of Sassetot-le-Mauconduit, don’t miss the bust of Sissi (a bronze sculpture by local artist D. Henry) in the square, alongside the PK120 marker commemorating the Tour de France’s passage through the village on several occasions. The Church of Notre-Dame de la Nativité has plenty of surprises in store; it alone is well worth a visit.

The English Channel and its shores, the pebbles, the cliffs. The church and the castle of Sassetot-le-Mauconduit.