Nature and views starting from Orches

Parking available near Saint-Hilaire Church.

(S/E) Opposite the war memorial, turn right onto Rue des Écoles towards Sossay. After the school, just before the bridge over the Mable, turn right onto the path leading towards La Nigrie. Stay on this path between the fields and ignore the turnings on the right. You’ll reach the tarmac road at a place called La Nigrie and come to a road running perpendicular to it.

(1) Then turn right and immediately left onto a path that climbs into a chestnut wood. At the crossroads (elevation 166), go straight on. You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the left until you reach the D14 (leaving the hamlet of Les Bottières on your right).

(2) Cross the D14 (take care) and continue straight ahead along the small road. At the junction (^first houses), take a path on the left. At the next junction (elevation 146), turn right. Further on, cross a tarmac road and continue straight ahead towards a woodland. Pass the^first path on the left and arrive at a three-way junction about 150 m further on.

(3) Turn onto the path on the left, then immediately left again. Cross the woodland and continue along the edge on a path that turns white (beautiful view as you leave the woodland). Join a road and follow it to the right towards Beauregard. You will soon reach a junction (shortcut possible, see practical information).

(4) Continue straight on and uphill. After about 150 m, note a path on the left leading to a Neolithic grinding stone (a return trip is possible, not marked on the map, on private land). Continue along the road and pass a pylon on the right-hand side.

(5) Immediately after, two paths appear on the left: take the one on the left. Pass in front of the houses in the hamlet of Le Martrais and arrive at a bend, a few metres before the junction with the D72.

(6) Go up the path on the left. Continue straight on (south) until you reach the road coming from Beauregard.

(7) Follow the road to the right and pass the hamlet of La Plette. Stay on this road until you reach the D72 (shortcut possible, see practical information).

(8) Cross the D72 (take care) and continue straight ahead. Shortly afterwards (at the 108m mark), ignore the path branching off to the left. Head north, pass through the hamlet of Le Breuil and head towards a wood. Enter the wood and you will immediately come to a fork.

(9) Turn left here and, immediately afterwards, turn left again. Walk south-west along a sandy path lined with acacia trees.

(10) At the junction, go straight on, head downhill, cross a stream and climb slightly on the other side. Ignore a path coming from the right and you’ll reach a small road.

(11) Follow the road as it continues and pass through the hamlet of Brez. Ignore a turn-off on the right and continue straight on to join the D72.

(12) Follow the road to the right, which immediately turns left. Continue straight on to the church at Orches (S/E).

Car park behind the village hall.
(4) Option to turn left for a shorter route and join (7).
(8) Option to turn left for a shorter route and join (11).

Leisure area in Saint-Gervais-les-Trois-Clochers.
The convent complex at Lencloître.
The keep at Haut-Clairvaux