This trail, dedicated to Colette, was opened in 1993 by the pupils of the Colette college of Saint-Sauveur en Puisaye. Along this trail, everything recalls the works of this author, born in Saint-Sauveur en Puisaye in 1873. The author has described her birthplace so well - that even though she has given other names to the villages and characters, you can sense her literature at every corner.
Calculated time: 1h50[?] 
Distance : 5.76km
Vertical gain : 76m
Vertical drop : 85m
Highest point : 284m
Lowest point : 223m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Puisaye 
Location : Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye
(89520)
Starting point : N 47.616766° / E 3.198804° (S/F) Starting from the Colette Museum (car park below) go down the alley of lime trees and turn right onto «Rue de la Roche». After 50m turn left onto « Rue Colette ».
(1) Pass between the house, birthplace of Colette, on your left and the «front garden» to your right and immediately turn right onto «Rue des Gros Bonnets», then straight ahead onto « Rue du Bourg Gelé » (the Post Office will be on your left)
At the intersection, opposite the war memorial, head down to your left (road to St. Amand) for 80m and where the road makes a 90° angle, cross over to take the road opposite « Rue de Moutiers. »
Pass under the railway bridge and turn right to take the path that leads to « La Marseillaise»
(2) When you get to the hamlet, take the path to the left before the railroad. Continue on the main path. After the last house on the left there is a small path to the right (3) that allows for a round trip to the Batisse Potery.
(4) On the main path, cross the little bridge over the Loing River reaching Moutiers by turning right twice along the small tarmac road.
When you get to the village, explore the church (6) to the left along with the public wash-house coming from the left and the village square featuring the fontain of monk Glabert (5) and the former Abbey (remains) on your right.
At the stop sign, turn to left and go past the church, a monument known for its superb cloister and classified murals. At the end of this road turn left and go up as far as the crossing «the Lorets» (leave the stone path and choose the tarmac road 100m further on).
As you pass by the «Croix St. Pierre», made from Puisaye sandstone, you'll get an idea of the hardness of this rock. You'll discover the former extraction quarries by taking the dirt path just opposite at the next cross roads. Stroll along this path full of history. Once on the road, cut across the railway track and take the road opposite which goes past the church. Go up this road which runs partly along the back of the house and garden of Colette and at the top turn off to the left then to the right to reach the museum.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 269m - Musée Colette
1 : km 0.09 - alt. 265m - Maison natale de Colette
2 : km 1.32 - alt. 239m - Don't cross the railroad
3 : km 1.64 - alt. 225m - Little bridge over the Loing River - Loing (le)
4 : km 2.45 - alt. 227m - Fontaine du moine Glaber
5 : km 2.53 - alt. 227m - Eglise Saint-Pierre de Moutiers-en-Puisaye
6 : km 4.16 - alt. 284m
D/A : km 5.76 - alt. 269m - Musée Colette
Well shaded hiking trail, very pleasant in any weather.
This circuit is one of the hikes registered with the PDIPR of Yonne.
This hike is proposed by the Portes de Puisaye-Forterre Tourist office.
It is waymarked with a yellow line (PR) and carries the N° 1 on slabs with a yellow background.
Take care when crossing roads.
Give us your opinion at: http ://www.visiorando.com/randonnee-sentier -colette
For further information: Portes de puisaye-Forterre Tourist Office - 9 place du marché- 89520 saint Sauveur en PuisayTel :+ 33 (0)386456131 -Email : contact@ot-pisaye-forterre.com - Website: http://ot-puisaye-forterre.fr.
We advise taking IGN maps with you on this walk. Click here to buy : 2521SB.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Nearby - To visit:
The Colette Museum
The site of the Batisse: after the last house of the « Marseillaise hamlet (3) take the path which at first looks like the beginnig an entrance to a field and continue for 600m reaching « Batisse Potery » and the coated oven.
(5) The fountain of monk Glaber.
(6) The Church at Moutiers.
Should the desire to follow in the footsteps of Colette interest you, themed hikes with a guide are offered by the Tourist Office upon reservation.
11.64km
+81m
-74m
3h30
Average
Starting point in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye - 89 - Yonne A hike in the heart of the birthplace of Colette. Through woods and passing by ponds, often described in her work.
11.99km
+101m
-100m
3h40
Average
Starting point in Moutiers-en-Puisaye - 89 - Yonne Across the woods and the fields, passing the ponds, you will discover areas where the earth has been shaped into artistic creations and pottery.
15.19km
+168m
-171m
4h45
Average
Starting point in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Loing - 89 - Yonne This hike is themed by springs and wash-houses. The water flowing from the springs supplies the groundwater of the Parisian Basin on the one hand, and the Seine by way of the Loing River on the other hand. It’s a very well-marked path (#7), through an unspoiled natural environment. This track can also be done on horseback or mountain bike. It is listed on the departmental walking and hiking map (PDIPR) established by the department of the Yonne.
13.96km
+143m
-141m
4h20
Average
Starting point in Treigny - 89 - Yonne Marked hike N°21.
Leaving from the fairground, you will walk along paths that have a mysterious past and are steeped in legends.
10.19km
+53m
-53m
3h00
Easy
Starting point in Saint-Fargeau - 89 - Yonne Discover the flora and fauna that populate these old swamps that have shaped the environment of this lake, surrounded by woods and forests.
10.12km
+113m
-115m
3h10
Easy
Starting point in Lainsecq - 89 - Yonne You will see no less than 8 fountains and 6 wash-houses on this rather easy hike, ideal for family walks. A few picnics spots are available here and there, to take a break and enjoy a relaxing moment (Fountain of the Moon, of the Pisserotte .....) Even though there are some hills along the way, it is a very pleasant walk with a lot of historical heritage spots to be discovered.
Also good for mountain biking.
6.75km
+47m
-43m
2h00
Easy
Starting point in Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye - 58 - Nièvre A rather short bucolic walk.
Le Tacot path passes nearby the ochre and clay quarries where a protected species of toad "Le sonneur à ventre jaune", the yellow bellied toad hides away. Easily identified thanks to its yellow and black striped belly, and its heart-shaped pupils, no doubt, remnants of its prince charming days..... Its bright yellow colour, signifying toxicity is a means of protection against its predators.
8.62km
+96m
-97m
2h40
Easy
Starting point in Bitry - 58 - Nièvre Born in Fougères in Brittany, where there is a museum dedicated to his work, the painter Emmanuel de la Villéon lived on a semi-permanent basis from 1900 to 1935 in the manor house in the hamlet of Bitry. An admirer of Monet, he adopted the approach of the Impressionists.
This trail has the added attraction of panels composed of reproductions and commentaries. They allow the viewer to recognize some of the places painted by the artist, with their hedge-enclosed farmlands typical of the Puisaye.
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