Le Pas Gérault and the Oak of Liberty at the start of Sains

Parking is available opposite the town hall or around the church of Saint-Pierre in Sains (choice of route).

Yellow markings, but incomplete

(S/E) With your back to the church, head towards Étang du Pas Gérault via the C5, Rue du Haut Fresne. Continue straight ahead until you reach the junction with the D89.

(1) Cross carefully and continue straight ahead. Then take the road on the right for about 100 metres.

(2) Take the wooded path on the left, which leads to a small tarmac road.

(3) Follow this road in the same direction until you reach the Étang du Pas Gérault.

(4) Take the path on the left to go around the pond on the left. When you reach the south-western end, turn left onto the path which joins a farm track after about 150 metres.

(5) Turn right onto this track. At the intersection, take the gravel path on the right at the edge of the woods and continue to the road.

(6) Follow it to the right for 100 metres, then turn right before reaching a place called Pas Gérault. Pass a farm on your right and you will come to a T-junction.

(7) Turn right to walk along the pond on your right.

(4) Continue for a few dozen metres, then take the road on the left that you used to reach the pond.

(3) Stay on the road for about 200 metres, negotiate the right-hand bend and reach the edge of a wood.

(8) Take the grassy path on the left that follows the edge of the woods. After about 400 metres, the path enters the woods and descends towards the Chardrain stream, which you should follow until you come out onto a meadow at a canalised spring.

(9) Then turn right and climb the embankment to find a farm track to follow to the right. Join the D89. Cross it carefully, take the path opposite and turn right at the nearby crossroads. Cross the hamlet of Chardrain, staying on the road, pass the wash house and continue for about 50 metres.

(10) Take the path on the left that leads into the woods. Follow it to the bridge over the D289 at the Étang du Pissot.

No signposts

(11) Cross the bridge and continue along the road uphill. Pass the farm at a place called La Villa and admire the building on the right: magnificent finials and dormer windows. Continue to the next crossroads , located about a hundred metres before the bridge over the N176.

(12) Take the path on the right, pass the wayside cross keeping to the left and onto the Hortensias path, which bends to the right to go around the small wood.

(13) Take the path through the woods on the right, which leads to the Chêne de la Liberté (Freedom Oak) after about 250 metres. Join the Route des Chênes.

(14) Head south, to the left, and continue to the place called l'Étang.

(15) Stay on the road, go around the pond on the left and climb gently to reach the village and the church (S/E).

Toilets at the town hall on the north-east side.
Risk of slippery ground halfway along the Ruisseau du Chartrain stream.
The return journey from the hamlet of l'Étang (15) to the village follows a winding road: drivers should allow plenty of time and exercise caution.

The various ponds.
The Oak of Liberty.
The Oak Tree Route.