The Terre Ponds in Pots

In the Londe forest, three former clay pits have now become three ponds. Known since Gallo-Roman times, the Terre à Pots site was only exploited from the 16th century until 1870. This clay was notably used to make the white earthenware tiles for the first stations of the Paris Metro. This easy forest walk offers the chance to discover a little-known quarry site.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 72 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 78 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 125 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 89 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park just before the cemetery and the church in Bosc-Bénard-Commin.

(S/E) Walk past the church, take Rue de l’Église and head towards the railway bridge.

(1) Cross the bridge and head down to Rue du Camp Héroult. Turn right, then immediately left onto Chemin de la Terre à Pots. Continue to the crossroads in the hamlet of Neubourg.

(2) Go straight on and pass through the gate to enter the forest (Chemin Forestier d'Argillières). Head towards the four-way crossroads.

(3) Take the path on the right, then turn onto the first path on the left (Caution: very poorly marked) to reach Chemin du Pré Bourdonné at the bottom, which you take to the right. You’ll come to an SNCF bridge.

(4) Continue straight ahead on the road. At the very sharp right-hand bend, take the path leading off to your left and then the first path on the right. You will come out onto the Route Forestière des Jouveaux.

(5) Turn right onto this road. At the next junction, turn right onto the Route Forestière de la Louveterie and, at the next bend, take the path opposite. After a steep descent, you’ll come to another junction with a path.

(6) Take it to the left. After the (broken) barrier, turn right onto the Route du Camp Héroult. Go under the railway bridge. Follow the road, pass through the hamlet of Neubourg and you’ll come back to the junction you passed earlier.

(2) Take the Chemin de la Terre à Pots on the left. Follow the route you took on the way out to reach the railway bridge.

(1) After the railway bridge, take the path uphill to the right. Continue straight on (do not take the Chemin du Froc). At the end, turn left onto the road. At the Town Hall, keep to the right (the Chemin du Froc is on the left). When you reach the pond, turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 124 m - Church/cemetery car park
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 107 m - SNCF bridge
  3. 2 : km 0.89 - alt. 116 m - Entrance to the forest
  4. 3 : km 1.36 - alt. 114 m - Four-way junction
  5. 4 : km 2.6 - alt. 92 m - SNCF bridge
  6. 5 : km 3.42 - alt. 121 m - Route Forestière des Jouveaux
  7. 6 : km 4.31 - alt. 93 m - Turn left after the steep descent
  8. S/E : km 6.82 - alt. 124 m - Church/cemetery car park

Notes

After heavy rain, some paths may be muddy. Please wear suitable footwear.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
User 27704787

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike taken on 30 April 2026 at 2.00 pm with a group of 20 people aged between 60 and 75.
I’d done the older version, which was longer and less precise, so I appreciated this clearer version. You can see one pond; too bad about the other two, which are difficult to reach.
Do be careful on the very steep descent, though!!
All in all, a lovely walk through a beautiful forest.

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Domy27
Domy27

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk – the forest is absolutely beautiful!

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Hallu
Hallu

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately, the state-owned forest is very poorly managed. There are hideous clear-cuts, paths rutted by forestry machinery, and the few remaining wooded areas consist of very young trees; it’s sad to see, but well, that’s the ONF for you...

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barravin27
barravin27

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

You shouldn’t always rely on the yellow or blue markings on the ground, as the routes overlap. For example, at point 3, you need to take the path marked with a Yellow Cross! The ponds are of only limited interest. The walk through this part of the forest is pleasant overall, enhanced by the sections where you pass under the railway line.

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Francoisduparc
Francoisduparc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy walk to follow, both on the map and with the description. However, I didn’t venture into the undergrowth to see the ponds. The paths and trails are pleasant. The route is shaded in summer and sheltered from the wind in winter.
I recommend it.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, Bravo Lima
As we often say, Visorando is not the equivalent of a guidebook provided by tourist offices. With us, it is essentially the route description and map that serve as a reference for finding your way.
In this case, the author does not mention the signposting in their description either.
Enjoy your future walks.

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Bravo Lima
Bravo Lima

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Please note: there are no signposts or landmarks along this route. Do not follow the yellow or blue markings, as they do not follow this route. You will need a good sense of direction at times, particularly around the ponds, despite the detailed description.

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