Fougilet wash house and leisure trail

The car park of the former school in Fougilet is the starting point for this route.

(S) As you leave the courtyard, turn right. Continue along this street which crosses part of Les Commeaux. Ignore the first street on the left, which offers a view of the water tower on the horizon, and take the next one on the left.

(1) Turn onto the first path on the right. Then turn right again to rejoin the road.

(2) Take this road on the left, going straight on at the next junction.

(3) You’ll cross a side path which is none other than the old Roman road. Carry on until, after a copse on the left, you reach the entrance to the leisure trail.

(4) Shortly after entering the woodland, you will find a full map of the trail. Turn left in front of the picnic table and continue until you reach the opening in front of a cultivated field. Turn right onto the path that runs along the edge of the woodland. Enter the woodland, keep going straight ahead, ignoring the side paths, and pay no further attention to the leisure trail route.

(5) When you reach the T-junction, turn right. Continue along this main track until you reach the crossroad.

(6) Cross it and take the path opposite, which heads off to the left. You will find yourself on the old Roman road.
At the 221-metre mark, leave this track and take the path on the right, which follows the route of an old railway line. When you reach the street, in front of the old gatekeeper’s house, head down to the left. Then take the street on your right. At the next junction, turn right towards the pond, passing the wash house and the pump.

(7) Walk up the street on the left, with your back to the pump. Cross the side road (there is a wayside shrine on the left at the junction) and head for the car park of the old school (S/E).

You can do the whole leisure trail; just follow the signposted route and rejoin the walk at (4). This trail is great fun and quite a workout for all ages. Entry is free.

At (7), a very unusual pump and wash house.