Moulin Neuf, Grotte de la Vierge and Jardin du Hill in Argentré-du-Plessis

Start from the car park at Collège la Salle Saint-Josephd’Argentré du Plessis.

(S/E) Cross the main road, the D33 (Rue Alain d’Argentré), turn right for about twenty metres, then take the small footpath on the left. Cross the first junction, continue straight on to the end of the street, then turn right onto Rue Port Louis and follow it to Rue des Acacias. Turn left, continue to the second junction and turn left again onto Rue de la Glanerie. Then take the first right, pass under Avenue de l’Europe (D88) and arrive at the Étang du Moulin Neuf, fed by the Ruisseau de Maison Neuve.

(1) Take the path on the right which runs alongside the pond and then the stream. Ignore the various junctions and carry on straight ahead to the end until you reach a bridge.

(2) Cross the bridge, go straight on and climb the short hill. At the junction, take the path on the left, then the fairly wide path that climbs to the right up to the D111.

(3) Cross it carefullyand take the path opposite. You’ll reach a junction.

(4) Keep to the right, go round the small Launay pond and continue to the end to reach a small road.

(5) Head left, pass the junction, then take the path leading to a track on the right: green gate. Continue along this track until it curves to the left: on the right is the Grotte de la Vierge, where you might want to stop for a while.

(6) Return to the path, known here as the Allée du Silence, walk alongside the Étang d’Ardouin and reach a T-junction: gate. Take the narrow path then turn left to head uphill. At the next junction, take a moment to look back and admire the Château du Plessis, then continue left along the straight path.

(7) At the crossroads, take the local road to the right, pass a wash house on the Ruisseau du Hill on your right, and continue to the roundabout.

(8) Go round the roundabout on the right and carry on straight ahead along Rue des Étangs. Once you reach the church, take the small path on the right to join Rue du Général Leclerc.

(9) Cross it carefully and , almost directly opposite, take the small path leading to the Jardin du Hill: take a moment to have a stroll. At the junction, take the path on your left, head through the woodland and continue straight on along this path until you reach Rue Henri Matisse.

(10) Turn left, cross the roundabout and carry on straight ahead along Boulevard du Maine. Stay on this road, ignoring the streets on either side, until you reach another roundabout, much larger than the previous one.

(11) Turn left to continue along Boulevard du Maine and pass the Aquatide swimming pool car park. Immediately afterwards, turn left again onto Rue Alain d’Argentré, where you’ll find the car park on your left (S/E).

There are toilets at Moulin Neuf, near (1): you’ll need to walk to the stone building opposite.

There is also a picnic area at (1), just after the bridge on your left: you’ll also find a children’s play area there.

This area is full of little paths – there’s plenty here to help you recharge your batteries. There’s another pond nearby which you can reach via another path.

Take the time to admire the Château du Plessis and its newly renovated dovecote.