Landscape Art Trail in Saint-Michel-de-Chabrillanoux

The signposts are yellow and white: at the start, the art trail follows the route known as the “Petit tour du Doulet”.

(S/E)You are now beneath the chestnut tree; head up the D2 to the Arcade bar and restaurant (Le Totem sculpture). Walk alongside the restaurant wall as you head up the D2. Turn right onto Rue Joseph Rignol (named after a Second World War resistance fighter) and pass under an archway. On the old wall, to the left, to the right of the palm tree: the ‘La Libellule’ sculpture. Head downhill to the right, skirting the ‘La Cerisaie’ holiday camp (a former textile factory). Turn left beneath ‘La Cerisaie’ and head downhill along a wide path. Beautiful views of the Vercors: Les 3 Becs and the Grand Veymont. Sculptures: ‘La Coccinelle’, then ‘Le Cèpe’.
 
(1) At the junction, you’ll find the sculpture *L’Escargot gourmand*; do not take the path uphill towards the charming nature campsite *Le Chabrioux*. Continue downhill opposite, until you reach the old Bonnet bridge. Just before it, don’t miss the little hedgehogs, followed by the *L’écureuil* sculpture. Cross the bridge. Walk back up between the strawberry and olive groves. The strawberry is on your right. The sculpture *Le Champignon* is situated next to a beautiful farmhouse surrounded by young chestnut trees. At the top of the hill, you’ll find *L’Œuf*, made from local stone, and a signpost.
 
(2) Head down the slope opposite, which is slightly eroded by the rain but shaded. The sculpture *La Morille* is on your right. By a spring, you’ll find the heron. At the junction in the forest, you’ll find the emblem of the Monts d’Ardèche Natural Park. Turn right (wooden sign), then take a hairpin bend with a lovely view over the Doulet valley and the hamlet of Le Buisson. At the hairpin bend, the peak stands tall on a fine oak pole. And shortly afterwards, the sculpture *Luxuriance*.
 
(3) On reaching the small Route des Arnaud, you’ll see the short-toed snake eagle. Turn right and head down this road for about 300 metres to the farming hamlet of Vaneilles. Along the way, on the left, you’ll see the salamander, then on the right, the sculpture *La Fourmi noire* stands out against the green moss. 
(4) Atthe entrance to the hamlet, leave the road and turn left, heading down towards the houses. At ‘Au Coq’ (the old henhouse), take the wide path on the left which leads down to the Vaneilles bridge over the River Doulet and admire its arch reflected in the water, as well as the old water channels. Opposite the bench, you’ll see the sculpture *La Naissance du jour* standing out against the bridge.

(5) Continue up the path for a further 100 metres alongside the dry-stone terraces restored by volunteers, and you’ll find the hut on your left, in front of a meadow, with shaded picnic benches. The chabote is open and provides shelter. The roe deer, made from wild clematis, and the butterfly, created with the children from Saint Michel school, mark the end of the art trail.
 
(6) Turn back and follow the outward route in the opposite direction to return to the starting point (S/E).