The five churches of Sainte-Marie

Start from the village hall car park.

(S/E) Head towards the church.

(1) Take the Chemin de Saint-Martin to the right. Continue straight on along the road until you reach the top of the hill.

(2) At the junction with the Chemin des Barraques, turn left. After passing through the copse, the path turns left. Continue for 200 metres.

(3) Follow the stony track to the left, then head down towards the farm. Go round it on the left, cross the valley and head back up alongside the woodland.

(4) Take the D105 to the right for a few metres, taking care.

(5) Head down the valley to the left along the path that runs alongside the fields to the stream.

(6) Continue along the tree-lined path on the left which climbs up to the ridge.

(7) Before the descent, turn left, pass a ruin and head down to the left to the small lake. On the right, Lassale Castle (private) takes its name from a site which, in the Middle Ages, was home to a garrison controlling the Salette ford at Gimont.

(8) Follow the stream, then cross over to the other bank. Enter the woodland, then walk alongside the fields.

(9) In the woods, at the crossroads, turn left. Cross the stream and head back up to the D105.

(10) Follow it to the left back up to the village. Take care on this section. Head for the village hall car park (S/E).

Children’s playground, picnic table and multi-sports ground next to the village hall.

Parish church in the heart of the village.

Church of Saint-Martin du Hour.

Church of Saint-Germain.

Church of Le Travès.

Church of Saint-Pé du Bosc.

Lassale Castle (private).

Village of Sainte-Marie