The Blonde Valley

Park at the Church of Sainte-Barbe in Coingt.

(S/E) Take the local road towards Dagny-Lambercy and leave the village.

(1) After 250 m, follow the small road on the left which descends towards the Ruisseau de Coingt. You are on the^GR®®122, but signposting is sparse or even non-existent. Nevertheless, the route is scenic and easily passable. The path crosses the stream, climbs the hill and descends towards a bridge over the Blonde.

(2) Make your way to the centre of Saint-Clément.

(3) Turn right onto the D74 towards Morgny-en-Thiérache, passing the old school and the town hall. After 150 m, turn left off the D74. Follow the path, which offers sweeping views, as far as Cuiry-lès-Iviers.

(4) Turn left onto Rue Principale and follow it for about 300 m. Opposite house no. 17, turn left onto a path leading to the Saint-Martin nurseries (no^GR®® markings). Walk alongside the nurseries and head up the grassy path.

(5) Carry on straight ahead, passing the water tower at the top of the hill. Head back down and return to La Blonde. At the entrance to the hamlet of Corneaux, leave the^{GR®® path}, which branches off to the right, and head up to the left to reach Rue du Franc Bois.

(6) At the crossroads, turn right, then immediately left. Walk on for just under a hundred metres and turn right onto the road leading out of the hamlet. Continue straight on until you reach the RD74 after the hamlet of Ringeat.

(7) Cross the road carefully and continue straight ahead. Once you reach the Ringeat cross, take the dirt track on the left towards Coingt Church and you’ll come to Sainte-Barbe Church (S/E).

Water points in the cemeteries.
Otherwise, no refreshments available.

The charming village of Saint-Clément.
Cuiry-lès-Iviers, with a fortified church featuring a distinctive tower and a 17th-century castle (private).

3 km away: the fortified church of Jeantes with frescoes by Charles Eyck. In the same direction are the fortified churches of Bancigny and Plomion.