Family route starting from the Chapelle Saint-Maxime in Chuzelles

Parking at the Chapelle Saint-Maxime.

(S/E) With your back to the chapel, follow the Chemin de la Chapelle, which is unpaved but accessible by car, until you reach a crossroads. At the top of the short climb, pass by a beacon intended for civil aviation (no entry).

(1) Turn left to follow the Chemin de la Relate (signposted) and arrive at the Chemin des Brosses (signpost more or less hidden on the right).

(2) Turn right to continue along this path, passing the hunters’ car park (picnic table).

(3) Turn right onto the path that climbs gently up into the Bois des Brosses. In wet weather, it can be slippery for a few dozen metres. Cross this woodland and join the Chemin de Louappes.

(4) Follow it to the right and return to the junction from the outward journey.

(1) Turn left onto a small road and branch left into the undergrowth to easily reach the Combe Roche.

(5) Head right to descend along the Combe Roche. Caution: the bottom of the descent is difficult for about fifty metres (steep, very narrow and rutted). Apparently, there is a small bypass marked out in the woods to the left to avoid this section (I haven’t tried it yet).

(6) Turn right for about two hundred metres.

(7) Turn right to return to the original crossroads; there are a few small muddy ruts which can be easily bypassed through the woods. Note that the path does not follow the road before the crossroads: it runs a few metres alongside it (which is very reassuring when there are children).

(1) Turn left and, following the route in reverse, head back to the Chapelle Saint-Maxime (S/E).

This route is very ‘flexible’ depending on individual preferences. The only real difficulty is before point (6). I haven’t tried the detour through the woods on the left, but it’s very clearly visible.

There are no water points, refreshment stops or toilets along the route.

The Saint-Maxime Chapel is rarely open (on the morning of Whit Monday, as there is traditionally an open-air church service on that date).

There are lovely views of Chuzelles and La Chapelle Saint-Maxime, with the Monts du Lyonnais on the horizon.