Le Caillou de Saint-Martin

Parking at the foot of the church in Orches. Access via the D757 between Lencloître and Richelieu.

Yellow markings on a blue background
Markings on one side only, in the opposite direction to our walk.

(S) Facing the war memorial, turn left onto the D72 towards Sérigny.

No markings

(1) At Haut Bourg, stay on the D72, which makes a right turn (ignore the small road on the left towards Brez, which will be our return route). A few dozen metres further on, at an electricity pole, turn right onto a path between the fields. Continue eastwards along this main path, which quickly becomes overgrown with grass, ignoring any side paths.

Yellow markings on a blue background
Markings on one side, in the opposite direction to our walk.

(2) Cross a small road and continue on the path marked "Défense incendie" (fire defence). Ignore two paths branching off to the left (mountain bike sign at the second), walk through a chestnut grove and then cross an open area.

No markings

(3) At the T-junction, turn left onto a wide path that climbs slightly through a pine forest. Leave the woods and you will come to a crossroads (hunting association sign).

(4) Head north-west and take the second path on the left, which climbs towards a clearly visible telecommunications pylon. Pass a vineyard on your right and, at the foot of the pylon, turn left onto the small road. After the place called Roche Pied Nu, look for a sign pointing to the right (the words "Caillou de Saint-Martin" are only visible on the opposite side). Then take a narrow path that branches off to the right and, after a few dozen metres, leads to an area with several exposed rocks, with the polisher located towards the back.

(5) Retrace your steps and take the road on the right downhill. Note two old cellars carved into the rock on the right and left.

Yellow markings on a blue background
Markings on one side, in the direction of travel.

(6) At the fork, take the small road on the right. Cross the village, ignore a path on the right and descend with a few bends towards a large house (La Plette on the map), which you go around on the right.

(7) At the next junction, turn left onto the D72. At the next fork, take a smaller road on the right. At the hamlet of Brez, turn left and continue south. You will reach the D72 road again at Haut Bourg.

(1) Follow the road on the right and immediately turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Good sports shoes are sufficient for this hike.

Between the start (S) and point (2), as well as from point (6) back to the starting point (S), the terrain is open: in summer, avoid the hottest hours of the day and bring sun protection. No water sources identified.

A 1:25,000 map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 12 August 2015.

In the village of Orches (S/E): Saint-Hilaire Church (12th-16th century).

In Beauregard:
- Caillou de Saint-Martin (5). Neolithic polishing stone, dating from around 7,000 years ago, measuring 70 cm high and 160 cm wide at the base. On the top, you can see eight parallel grooves, which are traces of wear from polishing tools or weapons.
- Cave cellars around (6).