The green eight of Espiet

This circular figure-of-eight loop around the Roger Lapébie cycle path allows you to discover the charms of the Entre-deux-Mers region and some of its beautiful heritage.

Details

n°4135831

Creation:
03 Oct 2020

Last update:
16 Oct 2020

Last review:
29 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.43 km
Average duration: 2h 30
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 34 m
Descent: - 36 m
Highest point: 75 m
Lowest point: 34 m

Country: France
District: Espiet (33420)
Start/End: N 44.784978° / W 0.265094°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1637SB
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Château de Pressac, 16th to 19th century

Description of the walk

The route starts at the old Espiet railway station. Park in the car park of the restaurant, which is part of the public domain.

(S/E) With your back to the station, turn left onto the cycle path.

(1) Turn right towards Côte de Brisson and ignore a left turn and another right turn to reach the D11E1.

(2) Turn left and cross the hamlet of Le Temple.

(3) Pass under the cycle path bridge, which is also the junction of the route. About 700 m further on, after a slight left-hand bend, take the path on your left to approach the Château de Pressac (150 m). Turn back and continue to the left.

(4) Turn right and you will arrive at the cemetery, where you can stop to see the tomb of General Darmagnac (see § Things to see).

(5) Continue straight ahead, cross the hamlet of Larmevaille and continue to the D122E7 at a place called Lalande.

(6) Turn right and drive carefully along the road to the junction with the D11. Turn right again and continue along this road with the same caution.

(7) After the former gatekeeper's house, turn right onto the cycle path.

(3) Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead to the old Espiet railway station (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 54 m - Former Espiet railway station
1 : km 0.3 - alt. 55 m - Fork to the right
2 : km 1.06 - alt. 42 m - D11E1, on the left.
3 : km 1.65 - alt. 41 m - Cycle path bridge - Junction of the circular
4 : km 2.82 - alt. 45 m - Turn right at the fork.
5 : km 3.35 - alt. 62 m - Cemetery
6 : km 4.31 - alt. 73 m - Lalande, on the right.
7 : km 5.17 - alt. 73 m - Cycle path, on the right
S/E : km 8.42 - alt. 55 m - Former Espiet railway station

Notes

(3): After passing under the bridge, a steep path on the right leads back up to the cycle path. If you are tired, need something or have an emergency, this is a way to bypass a large part of the route and quickly return to the starting point.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Former Espiet railway station

In 1873, a railway line was built between Bordeaux and Eymet in the Dordogne to serve the Entre-deux-Mers and Bergerac regions. Espiet station was one of the stations on this railway line.
Operational problems led to its partial closure in 1954, then its definitive decommissioning in 1979.
In 1996, the Gironde General Council turned it into a cycle path from Bordeaux to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, known as the "greenway", and named it Roger Lapébie in honour of the regional cyclist who won the 1937 Tour de France.
Since then, it has been converted into a restaurant, but the changes required for this new activity have had little impact on the site, which continues to enjoy a privileged setting.

Between (3) and (4) Fuie du Château de Pressac

This 16th-century dovecote, known as a fuie because of its cylindrical shape, marks its belonging to the nobility, as the bourgeoisie and peasants were only entitled to square dovecotes, even after the Revolution. These buildings were used to raise pigeons, a prized delicacy, whose droppings, known as colombine, were a renowned fertiliser. Generally cool, these structures were also used as pantries.

Château de Pressac, 14th to 19th century

In 1305, Edward^I of England, Duke of Aquitaine, granted Bernard and Thibaud de Pressac the right to build a fortified house.
The 14th-century upper courtyard was protected by a moat, a double-towered enclosure and a gatehouse with two round towers.
Behind a second moat, a 16th-century rampart with watchtowers, machicolations and arrow slits protected the lower courtyard.
Finally, the main building dates back to the 19th century.

(5) Tomb of General Darmagnac of the Revolution and Empire.

This building, which is ostentatious to say the least in the middle of this tiny rural cemetery, is unfortunately so massive that it borders on ugliness. Recalling the Egyptian campaign in which the deceased distinguished himself, the obelisk adds to the unusual nature of the ensemble.
General Viscount Jean Barthélémy Claude Toussaint Darmagnac was born in Toulouse on 13 September 1766.
Active from 1791 to 1830, his military career spanned the Revolution, the First Empire and the Restoration.
Throughout these forty years, he distinguished himself in the campaigns in Italy, Egypt and Spain.
More often than not, he emerged victorious from engagements in which he was outnumbered, such as at Bassano (1796) and Cairo after the Battle of the Pyramids (1798). Similarly, in 1799 at Damietta, he cut down 4,000 Ottomans with only 600 soldiers.
After distinguishing himself at Austerlitz (1805), the Emperor sent him to Spain, where he took Pamplona in 1808. Seriously wounded at Medina de Riosco that same year, he nevertheless remained on horseback until victory was secured.

The Restoration was more a time of honours than military exploits: in 1821, Louis XVIII made him a Commander of the Order of Saint Louis, then conferred on him the title of Viscount, Napoleon^I having made him only a Baron. Finally, in 1823, he was promoted to Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.
His name is engraved under the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris.

He died in Bordeaux on 13 December 1855. The reasons for his burial in Daignac are unknown.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5

Route interest
4.1 / 5

jojolarando

29 Sep 2025 at 22:18 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and pleasant walk with no difficulties: quiet roads and cycle paths
For those who are unfamiliar with the area, Espiet station is located outside the village, next to the wine cooperative
Thank you for the information about Pressac Castle and General Darmagnac's tomb, which add historical interest to this outing

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johndifool10

29 Sep 2025 at 11:21 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great

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User 18844707

28 Jul 2025 at 13:53 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike with clear signage.
Part of the route is on a cycle path, which can be reassuring when walking alone as there are other people around.
Not much historical or visual interest, but still pleasant and shaded along the cycle path.
No difficulty.

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isèrevercors

20 Jul 2025 at 10:21 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike, little traffic, even in rainy weather... I had already done part of this route starting from
daignac and see Pressac Castle, which was closed to visitors at the time. A pleasant, varied hike. One small downside: it should be specified that Espiet station is outside Espiet. And after the cooperative winery, don't miss the entrance.

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RP33

16 Jun 2024 at 18:49 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk along quiet roads. Beautiful views. Well-described walk. However, I don't find the tomb of General d'Armagnac so ugly; I've seen much worse!

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Lili ratatouille

27 May 2024 at 11:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, with beautiful views of the Fuie and the castle.

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kriss33

20 Apr 2021 at 07:44 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route along quiet country lanes, with the highlights of the Pressac Castle escape route and General Darmagnac's tomb surprising visitors to this countryside and raising questions, but you have provided the necessary explanations in the introduction to satisfy their curiosity. Thank you for that. I often walk the Lapébie trail and the return journey along this section, which I particularly enjoy for its diversity, is very pleasant. This is a hike to be preferred when the trails are impassable. Kind regards

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MANU BX33

26 Feb 2021 at 08:02 3600

Well done, Linette, you are very active!
However, I am not the author of the "Around Camia and Saint-Denis" hike...
Kind regards.

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LINETTE.P.BX 33

25 Feb 2021 at 11:20 3600

Small roads with no traffic, cycle paths, perfect for hiking in winter or at this time of year when the undergrowth and paths are still damp after recent bad weather.
We really appreciated the commentary about the sights along the way (the castle ruins, the tomb).
Thank you for this lovely walk. We will be back.

Indeed; today we are going to do the "Around Camiac and Saint Denis" hike.

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MANU BX33

24 Feb 2021 at 16:55 3600

Hello Linette, and thank you for your flattering comments!!! (smiles!).
It's nice of you to think about 'returning' to Espiet, but don't hesitate to try my other walks in the area: they sometimes overlap, but are just as enjoyable and undemanding...

Best regards.

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LINETTE.P.BX 33

23 Feb 2021 at 18:45 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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MANU BX33

04 Feb 2021 at 10:07 3600

Hello and thank you for your kind comments.
You are a brave beginner: 8.43 km is already a good distance, and the weather was not very favourable yesterday... Fortunately, this route allows you to walk with 'dry feet'!
Come on, spring is just around the corner! See you on the forest trails and vineyard paths...
Best regards.

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Zalaro

03 Feb 2021 at 18:07 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

I went hiking today! Only roads and cycle paths, perfect for beginners.
The information provided during the ride is great!

Thank you

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Alain L2.

26 Oct 2020 at 09:51 3600

Hello, I have not yet familiarised myself with the route, but I am currently preparing the outings for the first quarter of 2021.
Kind regards
Alain

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Author

MANU BX33
8 Walks

Visorando member

District: Branne (33420)

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