The painters' path in Fresselines

This hike through the valley of painters allows you to discover a stretch of the Petite Creuse and Creuse rivers, as well as numerous viewpoints that have been a source of inspiration for many painters.
This is a family-friendly hike with numerous benches and tables, as well as information panels along the way explaining the paintings created in this part of the valley.

Details

3021208
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 78 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 76 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 267 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 202 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Espace Ronnet-Rollinat car park next to the campsite.

(S/E) Head towards the village, going around the hall.

(1) Continue straight ahead to reach the church. Pass the church and continue straight ahead towards Rue Leon Detroy. Pass the cemetery and arrive at a sharp right-hand bend where you will have your first view of the Château de Puy Guillon.
Continue along the road, cross the bridge over the Petite Creuse, keep left and continue for about 150 metres.

(2) Leave the road and take the path on the left that runs parallel to the road. Cross a small wooden bridge. At the end of the path, turn left onto a track that will take you to the Moulin du Puy Guillon.

(3) Continue straight ahead, cross the car park to reach a stone bridge: a pretty spot with lots of picnic tables.

(4) Continue straight ahead along the river, then take a right turn away from the Petite Creuse (there are numerous signs explaining the work of painters in the valley). Continue to the iron bridge, which will take you across the Petite Creuse once again.

(5) Cross the bridge and descend on the right via a staircase made of rock blocks. Follow the Petite Creuse to the confluence. Turn left and follow the Creuse.

Continue along the path, which climbs steeply, to reach the painting exhibition workshop at a place called Confolent.
Continue along the road that leads to the village of Fresselines. At the first houses, turn left and then immediately right to reach the church square.

(1) Turn right again to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 262 m - Espace Monnet-Rollinat car park. Close to the - Creuse (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 265 m - Fresselines Church - junction of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.49 - alt. 215 m - Small path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 209 m - Moulin du Puy Guillon
  5. 4 : km 2.42 - alt. 208 m - Stone bridge
  6. 5 : km 3.01 - alt. 207 m - Bridge over the Petite Creuse - Petite Creuse (rivière) - Affluent de la Creuse
  7. S/E : km 4.62 - alt. 262 m - Espace Monnet-Rollinat car park

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
JoséBernard
JoséBernard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is now very well marked and we were surprised to see a metal footbridge over each
of the two Creuse rivers. There were many walkers. It was a Sunday outing. The route is only 3.5 kilometres long.
We were familiar with this route, and it has been very well developed since then.

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User 27568589

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting hike.

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caty.ha
caty.ha

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant family walk. As you leave the footbridge, be careful not to miss the confluence site on the right, as direct access is blocked off with barrier tape.

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DaDoRando14
DaDoRando14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Route also offered by the Crozant tourist information office

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caty.ha
caty.ha

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your walk. Don't miss the confluence after crossing the bridge (chains block the way; why?).

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Bernard S1.
Bernard S1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this beautiful and pleasant walk in this valley of painters, which is very refreshing during hot weather.

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deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy and pleasant route, the Creuse was very low with little current. It was a good idea to display the paintings of the Impressionist artists at the various sites

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Johnjohn36
Johnjohn36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this route on a sunny day after a rainy spell. The rivers were high, but the route was still fine to walk, with just one or two muddy bits. There was also a puddle from an overflow that blocked the path for a few metres, but anyone who's reasonably fit can easily get past these bits. The route is also very interesting for learning about Monet's paintings and life around Rollinat's house.

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lagardere alain
lagardere alain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

.

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YLEND
YLEND

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk along the water's edge. Interesting for young walkers.

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hikegailmike
hikegailmike

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice little hike

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