This circuit pays homage to Louis Mercier, novelist and poet native of Coutouvre (1870-1951) who wrote extensively on nature and village life in his time.
In the footsteps of Louis Mercier

Itinerary to find in the topographical guide:
Topoguide Hiking in the Roannais.

Your itinerary

Map List

1 - Departure

Go around the church and take an immediate left to join a grassy path. Cross the D49 then before joining the D57, turn right into a path.

2 - Step 1

Again on the road, go up towards the D57 and cross. Turn right and join the D31. Go up it a few meters in the direction of Coutouvre then turn right. At the next crossroads, turn right.

3 - Step 2

At the D31, turn left onto a path in the direction of Montplan. Find the road and turn left. At the crossroads, take the path opposite and descend for a long time towards Bois Sarna.

4 - Step 3

At the bottom turn left. After the Rivière de la Rivière farm, cross the D49. Straight ahead, go up towards Montchanin. Take the road to the right and then to the right again.

5 - Step 4

At La Chaveronderie, continue on the tarmac to the left to take a path that goes down to the Trambouzan. Walk along the river then go up towards the Pertuis. Continue in the same direction to reach the D31 at Morland.

6 - Step 5

Take the D31 on the left for a few meters then take the path on the left. Pass the farm and go down. Find the road then turn right towards Le Plat.

7 - Step 6

Take the path on the right before the farm and continue to the Château de la Varenne.

8 - Step 7

Cross the farmyard, then go up. Take the path on the right and cross the D31. Follow the path to the cave. Continue on the road to Creux de Sable. After a house, turn left. Go up then along the cemetery towards the church to find your starting point.