The Water Trail in Saint-Amadou

The walk starts at the Saint-Amadou wash house, in the centre of the village. There is a car park right next to it.
Several walking routes are marked on a large sign next to the washhouse.

(S/E) Start by keeping the wash house on your left and walking down along the road. Then follow the ‘Dragonflies’ signposts (small signs featuring dragonflies).

(1) Turn left at the first dragonfly sign and you’ll find yourself with vegetable gardens on your right. The dragonfly signs don’t keep you on the path but lead you on a short detour to the left to see an old water channel. At the end of the small path, take the steps – this isn’t signposted – but at the top of the steps, be sure to turn left to stay on the ‘Libellules’ path. You’ll then rejoin the road to Ludiès and turn left to take some small steps leading up to a wide footpath. You must turn left at the top of these steps. After walking straight on for about 250 metres and passing a farm, you’ll reach a junction.

(2) Turn right, then immediately left to head back towards the woods. After the last house, continue along the clearly marked path which runs alongside meadows and fields, first turn right then left, and arrives at a hamlet called Le Py.

(3) You then walk through the small hamlet from one end to the other, whilst continuing to follow the signs featuring dragonflies. The path is dotted with educational panels. You come to a road which you follow to the right. After walking alongside the fields on your left, you reach a crossroads

(4) Turn left onto the road, then immediately afterwards turn right onto the small dirt track.
You then stay on this path, which, further on, runs slightly higher than the road to your right, until you reach the wash house in the small village of Fond Communal.

(5) The wash house is situated very slightly below the road; there is also a water reservoir further down. To continue along the path without cutting across the fields, you must then head back up to the road and follow the first path on the left.

(6) Further on, the path turns left. At the junction, turn right until you reach the next crossroads.

(7) Carry on straight on to Saint-Amadou; small signs featuring dragonflies are still visible.

(8) Turn left in Saint-Amadou and head back up towards the wash house (S/E).

At the start of the route, next to the wash house, there is a public fountain with drinking water.
The route mainly follows woodland paths and small tracks, though a short section does run along a road.

This walk is great fun. Throughout the route, you’ll find information about the Water Trail and its significance through the ages.