The Manse Valley from Crissay-Sur-Manse

(S/E) From the car park, turn left then right and join Rue du Puits Auger, near which one of the four gates that gave access to the walled town was built. Walk down to the Church of Saint-Maurice.

(1) The church was built on the foundations of a Romanesque church by the Turpin de Crissé lords in the^16th century. Walk along the cemetery (where there is a stone cross from the late^15th century) on your right and take a detour to the wash house located along the Manse, continuing straight ahead.

(2) Retrace your steps and turn left. Continue along the path that extends the small road towards the castle.

(3) Reach the village entrance on the right and turn left, then right into Rue du Château until you reach the village square, dominated by magnificent Renaissance houses.

(4) Continue straight ahead, then turn left at the village exit and follow the marked path through the hamlet of Puy Renault. Return to the D21 and follow it to the left, then left again towards Les Rageaux.

(5) Keep heading towards Le Puy aux Bœufs. Then continue straight ahead until you reach the road.

(6) Turn right, then straight ahead through Les Vallées, where a series of troglodyte caves have been carved into the hillside. Cross the D457 to the bridge opposite.

(7) Then turn left and continue straight ahead towards the Ruisseau de Maugonne valley, dominated by La Boisselière, a^15th-century residence.An elegant corner turret and eleven rows of pigeon holes adorn the façade. Cross the D457 and arrive at the bridge over the Ruisseau de Maugonne.

(8) Cross the bridge and continue left until you reach the road.

(9) Turn right, then straight ahead, cross the D57 and continue until you reach the Trois Croix.

(10) Turn right, then left along the D57 departmental road until you reach the path on the right.

(11) Follow this road, then turn right again to enter the Bois de la Feuillouse. Continue straight ahead until you reach the exit of the woods.

(12) Turn right towards Maugonne.

(13) Go down to the right. Pass through the hamlet of Maugonneand admire the view of the Manse valley lined with poplar trees, with the village of Crissay gently silhouetted on the hillside to your right. Keep right at the fork to cross the stream and continue straight ahead. Go down to the left of the road to reach the fountain, an uncovered^19th-century wash house with a basin fed by a spring in the centre.

(14) Then retrace your steps and turn left until you reach the Grande Croix.

(15) Keep going until you reach the church.

(1) Return to the car park (S/E) by following the same route you took on the way there.

- (2) Crissay wash house

During your walk, take the opportunity to discover our village and its beautiful houses. You can download the guide