In the Monts de Bassens

Park near the Bassens community hall.

(S/E) Opposite the hall, take the pedestrian lane immediately to its right. It leads onto Rue Georges Lamarque, which you follow briefly to the left before turning right onto Chemin de la Rivière, which ends with a short steep slope before joining another road. Turn right until the next bend.

(1) Just before the bend, follow the path to the right, which winds its way between contemporary villas. Pass under a power line, cross the^GR®96and continue until you reach a tarmac road. Carry on to the next junction.

(2) Turn slightly to the right to head down to a nearby junction. Head back up to the left via the Chemin des Genêts. You’ll come out onto the Route des Monts; follow it to the right for 200 m.

(3) Turn left onto a path; leave this 50 m further up to take a track on the right. Follow this track, ignoring a path on the left that climbs directly up to the Monts; you’ll come out onto the Route du Col de Saint-Saturnin and follow this road to the left as far as the Chapelle Saint-Saturnin.

Leave the road and take the path that climbs left up the Monts. Walk first westwards then southwards along the edge of the cliff to reach the Croix Saint-Concors (signpost 535 m).

Follow the signs for “parking le Relais”, crossing a power line several times.

(4) At the next sign, “Chemin des Pélerins 475 m”, follow the signs opposite for “parking le Relais” and “Parc Piot” car park.

(5) At the next sign, “La Source 450m”, turn right and follow the signs for “Parc Piot – Circular Trail of Belvèdères”.
You’ll come out onto a meadow; as you head downhill, pass by the viewing points along the way.

After the last of these, the “Racine” viewpoint, walk back a short way then turn right towards Parc Piot and the reservoirs. Then take the path adapted for people with reduced mobility. Cross a small car park and head uphill towards a building with a radio mast. Go past this building and join the Chemin des Monts.

(6) Turn right, going round the modern blocks of flats.

(7) At the second junction, turn sharply left and carry on.

(8) Just before the tarmac ends, turn down a path on the right. Join Rue de L’Église and head down to the left towards the church. Go straight on at the roundabout. Once you reach the church, the car park is opposite it, on the left (S/E).

Between (1) and (2), take in the view to the east, which is dominated in the distance by the Sept Laux massif, whose highest peak, the Rocher Blanc, rises to 2,927 metres.
Panoramic view to the west after the steep climb following the Chapelle Saint-Saturnin.