On the Bransles stagecoach route

Start from the small car park in front of the Garden in the Valley, near the road to Brandard.

(S/E) Leave the garden behind you, turn right and continue to the junction.

(1) Walk up the hill to the left until you reach the next crossroads.

(2) Take the path on the left and walk alongside the fields. The route follows the^PR® des Hameaux, marked in yellow.

(3) Ignore the two paths on the left – which you’ll take on the way back – and carry on to the edge of the Bois de Maupertuis.

(4) Turn onto the path on the right which runs alongside the woods until you reach the departmental road.

(5) Cross carefully and take the path opposite. Then follow the path to the left (^PR® des Deux Rivières, marked in yellow), (once used by carriages travelling to Ferrières)and carry on straight ahead through the woodland. Leave the woods and leave the^PR®. The path then turns sharply left and joins the road.

(6) Cross carefully and take the path through the woodland opposite, slightly to the left, then continue straight on.

(7) Turn left at the junction, then carry on straight ahead until you reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(4) Carry on straight ahead until you reach the next junction.

(3) Take the first path on the right to head back down into the Betz valley and rejoin the tarmac road: the Moulin de Brandard is visible on the right. Cross the three bridges.

(8) Take the path to the left, follow the river to the riding centre, then take the road on the left and cross the river again (two bridges) near the Moulin du Gros Lot. Return to the junction you passed at the start of the route.

(1) Turn left and follow the outward route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E)

No shelter along the walk. To enjoy the sunset opposite, you can walk the route in the opposite direction starting from point (3): (3), (6), (5), (4) and (3).

garden in the valley

equestrian centre

Between (5) and (6), you’re on the old road once used by stagecoaches to reach Ferrières.
Brandard Mill and Gros-Lot Mill.
On Saturday mornings, there’s a local market at ‘Jardin dans la Vallée’ – pre-order required.
Horse riding at the Gros-Lot equestrian centre.