The source of the Loing

(S) From the church in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Loing, take the road to Sainpuits for 100 metres and turn left, continuing along this small road.

(1) When you reach a junction with a tarmac road, turn right, cross part of the village of Chappe and take the small street on the right (at the fire hydrant) which leads to a path alongside which the Ru de la Pisserotte winds its way. Follow this path and you will reach the village wash house; further on, nestled against the hillside, you will discover a stone monument from which the Pisserotte spring emerges – or rather, part of the spring, as to your right, beneath the roots of the large oak tree, you will also find a resurgence (commonly known as the Bouillon). A small stone bench invites you to take in the scenery and no doubt reflect on the days of the washerwomen, long before the arrival of the washing machine. It was around this wash house that the history of the surrounding villages was made (for better or for worse).

(2) Retrace your steps back to the village of Chappe and take the road on the right; it climbs steeply up to the village of Montreparé.

(3) As you leave the village, just after the last house on the right, take the path that runs alongside the gable end of this house.
When you reach the junction with the main road, turn right, then 50 metres further on, take the small road that descends to the left towards Perreuse.

(4) Stop to admire the source of the Loing, which also features a monument and a stele tracing the river’s course. You will notice that shortly after emerging from the ground, the Loing disappears underground once more, only to resurface at the hamlet of Les Guittons, which you will come across shortly. Continue on your way and, at the next junction, turn right; glance to your left to see the village of Perreuse and the hills of Bouhy – and if the weather is clear, the view is magnificent.
Follow this road to the hamlet of Les Guittons; on leaving the village, a small path branches off to the left beneath the high forest. Venture down this path and you’ll discover the Loing’s resurgence.

(5) Retrace your steps back to the village and take the first path on the left. Follow it and, at the crossroads where four paths meet, go straight on but take a look at the cross of Saint-Nicolas on your left.

(6) Head down to the hamlet of Sainte-Colombe along this path and then along the small road, and discover yet another spring, or rather a ‘crôt’ (a local term for a water source). As farm animals no longer come here to drink, goldfish and other amphibians are at home here.
Return to your starting point (S/E).
See you soon on other trails.

Please note, the spring water is very cold but not drinkable, so don’t forget your water bottle.
In wet weather, a good pair of shoes will come in very handy. And if you come across a hiker, don’t forget to say hello; they share the same passion as you, and if you strike up a conversation, perhaps they’ll be able to help you discover the wonders of the area.

As questions are often asked about these two main springs, here are a few explanations:
La Pisserotte (2) flows into the Loing on the outskirts of the village of Sainte-Colombe-sur-Loing
The Loing (4) flows into the Seine after a course of 143 km.

The church of Sainte-Colombe is a listed historic monument in its entirety, so do pop inside for a look (statues, stained-glass windows, magnificent altarpiece).
This church has two entrances, one on the Puisaye side and one on the Forterre side, just like the church in Treigny (5 km away). It also has the unique feature of having three sundials.
If your route takes you through Saint-Sauveur, be sure to visit the galleries on Rue de la Roche, Colette’s birthplace, the Colette Museum, and don’t be surprised by the imposing Saracen tower.