On the hills above Donziais

(S/E) Start at Place Gambetta in Donzy. Follow the road up towards Cessy-les-Bois.

(1) After Le Courtil au Loup, take the forest track on the right as far as the large roundabout, then turn left towards the small roundabout. Turn right and follow the path. At the next junction, turn left and follow the path towards the Croix Pèlerin roundabout.

(2) At the junction with the Route de Cessy, turn right and follow the road, then take the path on the left which leads down into the village centre of Cessy-les-Bois.

(3) In the village centre, head towards Colméry, then turn right onto Rue du Montignon and head towards La Redouterie. Walk through the Bois de la Redouterie.

(4) At the junction with the road, carry on straight ahead, then turn left and right towards Les Métairies. Cross the D154 towards the village centre of St Malo en Donziois.

(5) Take the road on the right after the church towards Les Pontots and the N151. At the junction, take the road on the left, then take the path on the right to enter the woods; follow the signposts to the hamlet of Les Potiers.

(6) Pass Les Potiers, then turn right towards Les Gardes and follow the road.

(7) At the hamlet of Le Beauchot, cross the D154 and take the road opposite towards Colméry. At the junction with the D127, take the path on the right to go behind the hamlet of Les Moutots.

(8) Pass in front of the Moutots washhouse, then turn left towards the village of Colméry.

(9) At the roundabout, take the road leading down towards Les Lacs. Pass through the hamlet, then turn left. Follow the signposts through Colméry’s communal forest. At the junction with the road, turn left towards Les Godards du Bas.

(10) At Les Godards du Bas, turn right and follow the D127, then turn right towards Les Pénitiaux and follow the path on the left. Continue along the path that runs alongside the Talvanne to Donzy – Place Gambetta (S/E)

You can shorten the route by going via Colméry through the hamlets of La Cour and Paray to reach Cessy-les-Bois.
Blue Route No. 5.
The route is closed during the hunting season from 15 September to 28 February.

Built and historical heritage

(8)The Moutôts washhouse and its cross: dating from the 19th century. Its rectangular basin is surrounded by stone coping.

(9)The 16th-century church at Colméry: listed as a Historic Monument, it features stained-glass windows restored using the original stained-glass from the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Maastricht.
The Beauchot and Carrés washhouses

(3)The monks’ dovecote from the days of the former monastery; the church at Cessy-les-Bois: paved with fragments of tombstones and engraved with inscriptions, an architectural gem of the 16th century.

Natural heritage

(6)The hamlet of Les Potiers: the forest conceals numerous man-made quarries, once used for collecting clay. These pits offer an ideal playground for mountain bike cross enthusiasts.

(3) Cessy-les-Bois: A Natura 2000-designated area, it is home to two significant bat colonies: the notched-eared bat and the greater horseshoe bat.

Crafts
(4)Le Verger des Métairies: artisanal production of apple juice