Walk along the Steïr to Moulin Vert

Park in the car park of the Proxi supermarket near the Pontigou roundabout, Place Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz.
Access is also possible by bus (line 6), alighting at the Cosquer stop.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, go round the Pontigou roundabout on the left, using the pedestrian crossings, and head for the small, newly created concrete esplanade on the banks of the Steïr. Cross it (chairs, a small table and even a deckchair), continue along the pavement then turn right onto the path that runs behind the houses and arrive at the Moulin Vert plain, where an eco-grazing area with sheep has been set up.
Carry on along the river, ignore the footbridge on the right and continue to the weir, which you will cross later.

GR ®38, marked in white and red

(1) Turn left and continue to follow the right bank of the river. After a short stretch of pavement, continue along the path (pedestrian sign) which passes under the Quimper–Brest railway line, crossing over the water via a metal footbridge. Walk past the Avel Mor Educational Centre and arrive at a Fork in the road.

(2) Carry on straight ahead, crossing a small wooden footbridge over a stream, and continue between a meadow on your left and the river on your right. You’ll reach the bridge on Quimper’s northern ring road. Leave the^GR® for a short while to pass under the bridge, then continue for about 200 m until you reach a weir: a pleasant spot for a quiet break. Retrace your steps, go back under the bypass and turn right for a short climb alongside the stormwater basin, arriving at a small road where you leave the GR^®.

Unmarked

(3) Turn left onto this 30 km/h road, continue straight on with the railway line below on your right. You’ll arrive at the entrance to the Avel Mor Educational Centre. Turn left to follow the boundary wall and then the wire fence, rejoining the outbound route where you’ll find the^{GR® again.}

GR®38, marked in white and red

(2) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way out until you reach the weir you passed by on the way out.

:1:: Turn left to cross the footbridge over this spillway and turn right onto the Promenade du Manoir Des Salles (signposted ‘town centre by bike, 2 km’). Now follow the Steïr on the left bank, ignore a large footbridge on your right and continue straight on until you reach a double bridge on the right, where you leave the white and red markings.

No markings

(4) Leave the riverbank by turning left, go through a barrier and continue to a side street, Rue Charles Baudelaire. Take a short detour to the left to catch a glimpse of the Manoir des Salles. Retrace your steps and continue along the street until it joins a larger side street, Rue du Manoir. Follow it to the right along the pavement towards a roundabout. Go round it on the left, using the pedestrian crossings, and continue straight ahead along Rue Henri de Bournazel. Cross the old Quimper–Pont-l’Abbé railway line, which is set to become a cycle path in 2022. Ignore Rue JB Colbert on your right, walk past a block of flats and look out for a sign indicating a pedestrian crossing towards the large Providence car park.

(5) Turn right into this crossing to reach a large footbridge over the Steïr. At the bottom, rejoin the GR^®.

GR®38, marked in white and red

Turn right and now follow the river along the right bank. Pass the Cinéville cinema; note a fountain on the opposite bank within private property, and arrive at the railway bridge you crossed earlier. Climb the metal staircase and emerge onto a street. Cross it at the pedestrian crossing slightly to the left, then turn right towards the roundabout, crossing the river again.

(6) Take the wide path on the left; note two fountains and a wash house on your right, then continue straight on along the river, where you’ll see a small island called the Île aux Veuves. You’ll reach the double bridge you passed by on the way out.

(4) Turn left to cross it and continue along the path which leads to a road. Follow it to the right towards the Pontigou roundabout and return to the car park (S/E).

This route is ideal for a family walk just a stone’s throw from the town, best done in flat shoes, except in winter.
There are numerous options for taking shortcuts.
Part of the route is accessible by pushchair or for people with reduced mobility, but not the entire route.

Alternative route: On the return journey (1), after crossing the spillway footbridge, you can turn left to head towards the allotments (book box) and rejoin the riverbank at the large footbridge. This adds very little to the route but does involve a slight climb.

Manoir des Salles.
Washing house and fountain at Manoir des Salles.
Banks of the Steïr.