The two locks from Le Pizou

This route combines history with nature: much of the walk follows the River Isle.
Also worth visiting: the Coly forges, a testament to a major industrial and steel-making industry, and the Monument de la Plaine, a historic site from the Second World War.

Details

4631897
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 34 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 21 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the signpost in the church car park: cross Place Aristide Briand to the church forecourt, then head west along Avenue de la Résistance for approximately 700 m. Turn left down Chemin du Bataillon Violette for 600 m.

(1) Turn right at the Monument de la Plaine, follow the road to a junction, then turn left.
Do not take the Vallée de l'Isle route. Head towards the riverbank by following the field.

(2) Turn left and follow the river. At the end of the path, turn left then right to rejoin the road heading east, Route de Fonrazade, for 700 m.

(3) A sign points you towards: banks of the Isle / picnic area / information panel, leading you under the Fonrazade bridge. Go under the bridge and join the “Quai des Forges” road.

(4) At the “Coly” sign, leave the small road and take the path on the right that runs alongside the river. A little further on, you will cross a footbridge beneath which you can admire an old lock from the Coly forges. On your right is the house of the director of the former forges. Return to the road for 200 m, then turn right.

(5) Continue along this road until you reach the junction.

(6) At the junction, turn right then left and head back up towards the village centre, Place de l’Église (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 34 m - Place de l' - Église Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Le Pizou)
  2. 1 : km 1.3 - alt. 23 m - La Plaine War Memorial
  3. 2 : km 2.56 - alt. 21 m - Isle (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 5.31 - alt. 23 m - Information panel – Access under the bridge
  5. 4 : km 6.34 - alt. 23 m - Information board
  6. 5 : km 6.66 - alt. 24 m - Lock - Picnic area
  7. 6 : km 9.55 - alt. 26 m - Right / left
  8. S/E : km 9.92 - alt. 34 m - Place de l' - Église Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Le Pizou)

Notes

Wear waterproof shoes in case of bad weather, as the route runs alongside the river.

Worth a visit

(1) Monument de la Plaine, (4) the Coly forges, (3) the Fonrazade bridge.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Vika
Vika

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk; much of the route follows the river, and the locks are well worth seeing.

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OT Montpon
OT Montpon

Thank you for your feedback

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FAVI
FAVI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk along the banks of the river!

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OT Montpon
OT Montpon

Thank you for your feedback

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isèrevercors
isèrevercors
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short walk, yet steeped in history and a duty to remember those 17, 18 and 19-year-old French youths who died
for France...........

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OT Montpon
OT Montpon

Thank you for your feedback

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pascal.mourgues
pascal.mourgues

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely little walk along the banks of the Isle.
Done on 27 February 2022

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OT Montpon
OT Montpon

Thank you very much for your comment.
Kind regards

Montpon Tourist Office

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BERNARDLAB
BERNARDLAB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hello,

I have nothing to add to Cordonatto’s review. A very pleasant walk this Whitsun weekend. Thank you.

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Cordonatto
Cordonatto

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A lovely walk as we follow the banks of the Isle and pass the two locks.
The little village of Le Pizou surprised us with its pretty little houses at the start of the walk.
Best avoided when it’s very hot, as there’s a lack of shade at the start and end of the route!
My friends and I enjoyed this walk

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