La Potelais through the Tronçon valley

In Coglès, you can park opposite the town hall in the car park near the post office.

(S/E) Leave the car park with your back to the road and turn immediately right onto Rue du Vieux Chemin. At the end of this street, turn left onto Rue du Lavoir. You will soon see the wash house on your left. Head towards it, keeping it on your right, and continue along the path leading to a housing estate.

(1) At the entrance to the housing estate, turn right (Yellow Cross) and follow the street round its three 90° bends. Turn right almost immediately onto a path leading to the cemetery and go round it on the right-hand side.

(2) Take the path running alongside Rue du Chemin Vert and head east. Cross the road carefully using the steps and the designated crossing, then continue on the other side in the same direction until you reach the houses. Follow the road to the left towards La Noë. You will reach the D16.

(3) Cross carefully as always and carry on straight ahead towards the Chapelle de la Potelais. The path on the right leads there.

(4) At the chapel, carry on straight ahead, heading down towards Le Tronçon. Note the Marian grotto on the right. Take the hairpin bend to the left and then, after a few metres, follow the path on the right which runs alongside the river. The path leads to Pont Paquet.
Turn right and, immediately before the bridge, take the path on the left (warning sign for walkers).
All you have to do now is follow the meandering course of this capricious river.

(5) Cross a road and continue straight ahead, following the twists and turns of the path.

(6) When you reach the road at Bois Grignard, take note of the façade of the craftsman’s house (see below under ‘During the walk’). Follow the road to the left. Before the town entrance sign, head down the path on the right and pass between the two ponds. Continue to the left and rejoin the road.
Turn left to reach the village of Coglès via Rue du Roc and then Rue de Saint-Jean, continuing to the car park (S/E).

The roofer’s house at Bois Grignard warrants two points of clarification:
- The word ‘DOUANE’ appears on the pediment: indeed, at this location, the Tronçon marks a departmental and regional boundary – between Ille-et-Vilaine and Manche, and thus between Brittany and Normandy.
- The word ‘essente’ is mentioned in the craftsman’s trade description. This refers to thin planks used for roofing, often made of chestnut (instead of tiles or slates).