Vitré and the Plan d’Eau du Lambon

(S/E) Start from the car park behind the Foyer Rural de Vitré.
Turn right and head towards Rue de la Liberté, which runs past the Foyer Rural, then follow it up to the left.
At the last houses in Vitré, turn left onto the farm track. A few hundred metres further on, the track passes under a high-voltage power line. The farm track leads onto a road; continue straight ahead along the grassy path. This ends at a crossroads. Take the road opposite towards La Chercôte. This road runs alongside a castle (on the left – private property).
Follow the Route de la Chercôte to the end, then take the stony path which descends slightly to cross a small valley.

(1) After crossing the valley, head down to the left along a very steep path which is slippery in wet weather, down to the edge of the Plan d’Eau du Lambon, which can be seen from above. This section is a bit tricky but very short.
At the edge of the lake, turn right onto the road that runs alongside it. At the end of the lake, first turn right then left to follow the road that crosses the river and joins the Route de la Paillaudière (above the road running alongside the lake); the road climbs gently up the hillside.

(2) At the entrance to La Paillaudière, follow the path on the right which climbs perpendicular to the lake. After a few hundred metres, turn right at a right angle, and shortly afterwards left, also at a right angle. The path is very stony and gives the impression of being a dry riverbed due to the drainage from the surrounding fields flowing into it. This section can be very wet after heavy rain. The path reaches the top of the hill and joins a road.

(3) When you reach the road, turn left towards La Grière farm. In front of the farm entrance, continue along the path opposite the road. This path leads back to the Plan d’Eau du Lambon.

(4) A few metres from the road running alongside the lake, stay on the hillside and cross the grassy areas above the leisure centre’s play area. Then head back to the lake road to cross the stream that flows into the Lambon. Immediately afterwards, climb up to the right along the hillside to reach the road leading to the Lambon restaurant. Turn left then right onto the road towards the campsite

(5). The Lambon lake car park is accessible by car for those wishing to make use of the leisure centre’s facilities after the walk.
Head straight on along the road towards Pied l'Ouaille. Walk through the hamlet to the crossroads.

(6) At the crossroads, take the path opposite, which climbs slightly. Follow this path until it joins a farm track. There, turn left.
When this farm track meets the road from Pied d'Ouaille, turn right towards Monteuil. At the end of the road, continue straight on along the farm track leading to Monteuil.

(7) At the crossroads in Monteuil, take the path on the left. Shortly afterwards, cross the River Lambon. A few hundred metres further on, continue straight ahead, leaving the path leading to Bessé on your left.

(8) Cross the road to Bessé and take the path opposite towards Les Touches and Le Chêne Besson. A few hundred metres further on, continue straight ahead, leaving the road leading to Les Touches on your right and to Bessé on your left. The path then passes between the Chêne Buisson and Verruie. Follow it to the T-junction with another farm track. Turn right to reach a crossroads: cross it and continue straight ahead along the farm track.
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(9) Follow this path on the far left, ignoring the paths branching off to both the right and the left. It leads onto a road: turn right just before passing under the high-voltage power line at a place called La Croix Guérin.

(10) At the next crossroads, turn left towards La Bertamerie.
At La Bertamerie, at a Y-junction, take the left-hand road which leads back to Vitré.
The road from La Bertamerie leads directly to the rear of the Foyer Rural de Vitré and thus to the car park (S/E).

This route requires you to be well equipped as it passes along fairly stony paths that are sometimes narrow. Walking poles may be useful to help you through these occasional tricky sections.

Part of the walk follows a path that serves as a drainage channel for the surrounding fields: this route is not recommended during heavy rain or the day after a storm.

Easy parking next to and behind the Foyer Rural de Vitré.

A few picnic tables along the Plan d’Eau du Lambon

A whole network of small paths and lanes allows you to explore a wild and rugged landscape, pass through old hamlets, and appreciate the charm of the old houses, castles and the Protestant church as you stroll through the village.

In summer, several festivals bring together local residents, including the horse and donkey festival in June.

Plan d’Eau du Lambon:
Ideally situated on the shores of Lake Lambon, our leisure centre offers you the chance to experience new thrills in an exceptional natural setting: a treetop adventure course with a zip line
120 metres above the lake, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing/kayaking, climbing on a natural cliff, hiking, archery and mountain biking. For the less adventurous, enjoy pedalos, mini-golf and pétanque, and for the little ones, play areas: a true leisure paradise for everyone.
Tourist train in July and August.
The site is open to the public all year round. For paid activities, please contact the team. Pied L'Ouaille 79370 Prailles Telephone: 05 49 32 85 11

A fishing licence is required to fish in the lake. The site is equipped with 2 jetties for wheelchair users.
The most common fish species are whitefish (roach, bream) and carp
(in fact, this lake has a ‘night carp’ section).
As for predators, there are plenty of zander but very few pike and perch.
Fishing permits are on sale at the Vival mini-market in Prailles, 2.5 km from the lake.