Sédelle Valley, painters' workshop

A hike/walk in a magnificent site that has inspired many Impressionist painters. Beautiful views of the Creuse valley.

Details

4083661
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 85 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 87 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 294 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 222 m

Description of the walk

On the D913, just east of the Charreau Bridge over the Sédelle, find the car park dedicated to the Sentier des Peintres.

Signposting The Painters' Trail

(S/E) Follow the path that climbs north-northeast into the moorland. It reaches a plateau, then arrives at a few houses. Continue straight ahead (Chemin de la Croix Picat) to reach a road (Route d'Éguzon, D72).

(1) Follow it to the left, ignoring the hairpin bend to the right. The road becomes Rue Armand Guillaumin. See alternative in Practical Information. Leave the cemetery on your right and continue straight ahead, ignoring the side streets of Crozant (information sign at a car park on the right). When you see the church steeple at the Heritage Interpretation Centre (Hôtel Lepinat, information), head towards the church.

Off the beaten track

(2) Find a bust of Armand Guillaumin behind the church, go around the building and, on the other side, cross the small park and go down to reach a road (viewpoint). Cross and continue downhill opposite. You will come to a road further down (viewpoint).

(3) Follow it to the left (viewpoint over the Creuse meander and the Crozant Ruins).

(4) At the start of the hairpin bend to the left, leave the road and take a path climbing up an embankment to the left of a house. Join a trail.

Signposted 'Le sentier des peintres' (The Painters' Path)

Continue straight ahead. The path runs along the Sédelle river above, then joins a track.

(5) Follow it to the right and reach the edge of the Sédelle. Continue between the Sédelle, dotted with large rocks, and cliffs, in the undergrowth, until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 244 m - D913 car park - Sédelle (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 292 m - D72 intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.85 - alt. 265 m - Church
  4. 3 : km 2.06 - alt. 234 m - Opposite the ruins of the - Château de Crozant
  5. 4 : km 2.24 - alt. 246 m - Road x trail intersection
  6. 5 : km 2.87 - alt. 237 m - Intersection of trail and path
  7. S/E : km 4.09 - alt. 244 m - D913 car park

Notes

Easy hike, hiking boots recommended.

Between (1) and (2): a notice mentions that this road can be busy. An alternative, which I have not tested: just before the cemetery, take the street on the right, then the first left, Route de la Pêcherie, which may be less busy. Continue along this road to the end to reach the town centre and the route.

Worth a visit

Photo album here

Numerous information panels, some linking the landscapes you pass through to paintings by artists.

Beautiful heathland with heather and gorse at the start of the route, a very pleasant path along the Sédelle river, a few old mills.

Very beautiful views at Crozant.

Information on the Crozant Ruins (medieval fortress) here

Information about the Crozant school of painters here

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 10595170

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good description of your listing and map. A small suggestion, if possible...the section after the climb is on tarmac road (on that day: very hot weather and quite a lot of cars). Perhaps there is a passageway through parallel streets or a path that would lead to the church?

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NellyLouise
NellyLouise

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Another beautiful hike, congratulations!

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User 2876443

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A delightful short hike with pleasant scenery, mostly shaded along the river. Upon arrival, there is a dramatic change in scenery, with views of castle ruins and the winding Creuse River. Note: we walked there and back along the Sédelle, as the normal return route is mostly on the road.

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Pierlot
Pierlot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk to enjoy with the family. Magnificent landscapes surrounded by blossoming nature

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MSAR
MSAR

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

perfect

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