Circuit of Open-air Wash Houses and Water Sources

This circuit gives you the chance to discover rural heritage (springs, water sources, open air wash houses); and at each place, a description of its history is displayed. The route also highlights the architectural and historical heritage of the 13th century (Eglise Saint-Prohet, the Place Jacquaire, the protestant stele, the Chateau de Segeville) plus the various hamlets in the locality, flora and fauna.

Technical sheet

4098929
A Saint-Preuil walk posted on 21/10/15 by Tamtraductions. Last update : 22/07/16
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.48 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 254 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 254 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 144 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 53 m
  • ⚐
    District: Saint-Preuil (16130)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.596741° / W 0.171501°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1632SB

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Maine aux Bretons wash house

Description

Start from the Halte Randonneurs (Walker's rest/Meeting Point) next to the church.

Follow the track straight ahead for about 800m. Turn left at the first stage marker "La Fuie" and follow the chalk stone track.

(1) Take the left fork. When at the second stage marker "Font qui Bouille" turn right into the walnut orchard. (2) Cross through it, going straight ahead through the length of the woods. Head up to your right and enter the woods on the first path to your left.

(3) Go through the woods over roughly 200m, then follow the path on your left reaching the water source, "Font Loubat". Follow the path up, above the water source. When exiting the woods take the track to the right and head uphill for several metres.

(4) Take a sharp left turn and continue.

(5) At the crossroads, when leaving the woods, turn right, going in front of the "Font de Gours". Turn left keeping to the edge of the woods.

(6) At the corner head down to the left to regain the country trail. Once on the trail, turn right and continue straight on towards the woods getting back to the D404.

(7) Cross carefully and continue straight on.

(8) At the top of the hill turn right and heading towards Puymerle hamlet. At the junction entering the hamlet take the second right (Rue du Lavoir). Take a left at the following fork.

(9) Take the track right, through the vineyard continuing to the D90.

(10) Cross the road Be careful - towards Segeville. When entering the hamlet turn 90 degrees right and keep going.

(11) Several metres after the oak tree, turn left onto a track between the vines then left again.

(12) At the water fountain "Font Combe Raine" bypass the wood by going up to the right, then immediately left, to border the wood. Go straight on to the view point.

(13) Viewing indicator point. Continue from here to the junction. Turn left onto the road, then a sharp right over roughly 500m. Turn left towards residences (Morveau). Continue straight ahead.

(14) View point further down over Etang de Morveau. Keep going straight to the place named Les Bouillanes. Cross the road, continue on the other side. The track then takes a left - right and continues to Combe des Loges. Take the right fork
.
(15) Go through the woods for a quick round-trip to the Protestant Stele. Once you have doubled back turn right.

(16) Leaving the woods turn right for another short round-trip to the Lavoir du Maine au Bretons ( an open air wash house). To get there, keep going straight past two crossings then at highpoint 119take a right to reach the wash house. Retrace your steps to point (16), continuing straight ahead along the path on the other side, passing two right turns.

(17) Follow the track to the left going downhill through the woods.

(18) When leaving the woods descend several metres then turn right again into a wood reaching the D90.

(19) Be careful take the road on the left for 50m after the cemetery. Leave the road to take a path to the left leading back to the centre of the village and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 92 m
  2. 1 : km 0.96 - alt. 110 m - Left at the fork.
  3. 2 : km 1.46 - alt. 121 m - Right to go through the walnut orchard.
  4. 3 : km 1.65 - alt. 125 m - Go into the woods on the left.
  5. 4 : km 2.55 - alt. 137 m - At the junction take a left.
  6. 5 : km 4.09 - alt. 107 m - When leaving the woods, downhill to the right.
  7. 6 : km 4.32 - alt. 105 m - After the water source go down to the left.
  8. 7 : km 5.49 - alt. 99 m - Take care in crossing the road.
  9. 8 : km 5.83 - alt. 114 m - Crossroads, viewing point, turn right.
  10. 9 : km 6.86 - alt. 79 m - Take the track through the vineyard to the right.
  11. 10 : km 7.77 - alt. 68 m - Cross the D90 with care.
  12. 11 : km 8.89 - alt. 53 m - After the oak tree, left.
  13. 12 : km 9.81 - alt. 95 m - "Font Combe Raine" water fountain
  14. 13 : km 10.17 - alt. 127 m - View point indicator.
  15. 14 : km 11.62 - alt. 118 m - Etang de Morveau view point
  16. 15 : km 13.71 - alt. 126 m - Path to the right for the Protestant Stele.
  17. 16 : km 13.86 - alt. 122 m - Lavoir (open air wash house)
  18. 17 : km 17.54 - alt. 133 m - Take a left.
  19. 18 : km 18.14 - alt. 103 m - Do not take the path ahead but turn right.
  20. 19 : km 18.55 - alt. 113 m - D90, turn left.
  21. S/E : km 19.48 - alt. 92 m

Useful Information

Route is waymarked in red.

There is a shelter available at the start/end point. For groups, please contact the Mairie in St. Preuil 05 45 83 41 49 to arrange to collect the keys, subject to a charge.

A picnic table, map of the circuit with its alternatives and public toilets are available at the site.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Discover the 18th century Saint-Projet church at the beginning of the hike, the magnificent views across the rolling countryside and Place Jacquaire, which reflects ancient pilgrim passages towards Santiago de Compostella.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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