A circular loop starting from Neuilly-le-Réal

The starting point is in front of Neuilly-le-Réal Town Hall, and you can park around the square in front of the town hall or in the small car park to the right and behind the town hall.

(S/E) Cross the car park, to the right of the town hall, to reach the path that runs alongside a playground on the left and a wall on the right. Take the path on the right before the tennis courts and walk through a small housing estate to reach Rue de la Garenne Gayot.

(1) Follow it to the right. At the Stop sign, cross Rue des Rosiers and take Rue du Cimetière to the end. Turn right onto Rue des Ateliers, and join Route de Moulins (D989).

(2) Cross it carefully at the pedestrian crossing and head left. Walk for a few dozen metres, then take the track on the right, heading towards L’Écluse. After about 600 metres, at the start of a left-hand bend, take the path branching off to the right into the woods. A small bridge takes you across La Sonnante to a lovely pond. Depending on the time of day and the season, you may spot numerous birds here. With your back to the pond, you’ll be able to see the Château de l’Écluse.

Continue along the path for a few dozen metres. Take a small track on the left which quickly widens into a broader path. After 200 metres, the path reaches the edge of the woods, near the château.

(3) After viewing the château, follow the path to the right, which climbs slightly, until you reach a junction with a small road. Turn right onto this small, quiet road, which runs alongside the woodland. Cross a small bridge, cross the Sonnante again, and note a small pond on your left.

(4) Cross the road by turning left then right, cross the Sonnante again, then follow the path branching off to the right. At the Fork in the road, turn left. At the first junction, ignore the path on the left and walk past another pond. Continue straight on along the path, which climbs slightly and leads onto the Route de Chapeau (D31).

(5) Turn left and follow the road for about a hundred metres, then turn right into Rue Vinatier. Walk down this street to Rue d’Enfer, opposite another pond slightly obscured by a large oak tree. Follow it to the right until you reach the junction with Route de Saint-Voir (D989).

(6) Turn right onto the small path running alongside the road, and cross it at the pedestrian crossing located at a chicane. Take the path opposite the pedestrian crossing to enter“Le jardin des rires de la Sonnante”. After walking past the skate park, cross the Sonnante again and you’ll arrive at a fitness area with various pieces of equipment for adults and a zip line for children.

(7) Turn right onto the path towards the fire station and walk alongside it. At the end of the car park, take the street on the left until you reach a roundabout.

(8) Turn left, walk past a school and a half-timbered house – Logis Henry IV. Continue straight on to reach Neuilly-le-Réal Town Hall (S/E).

Bring a hat if it’s sunny.

This route includes tarmac sections.