Le pont du Saint

Start- La Chapelle Laurent, near the well, opposite the town hall/school. Take the road down to the left of the well. When you reach the sawmill, keep to the right, then fork a few metres further up on the left-hand path which runs alongside the sawmill.

1- At the crossroads, keep left. Continue straight ahead, passing between the old gatekeeper's house and the dairy. Continue straight ahead between mounds of wood shavings to reach the route de Saint-Flour.

2- Cross the road and take the wide track on the right that runs alongside the meadows. At the crossroads, turn left. The track is flat at first, then deepens and descends into a valley rich in pine and juniper groves.

3- At the road, turn right.

4- At the fork in the road, turn left towards Loudeyrette. Note the oval wash-house and stone drinking trough, then further on, a private oven on the right and two covered fountains on the left. Continue along the path to the left of the farmhouse (private oven adjacent). Overlook the ruisseau des Coffres, its green valley, pastures, rockery and low walls. The path winds down to Pont du Saint (on the right). Pont su Saint is so named because Robert de Turlande, founder of La Chaise-Dieu, is said to have been born here. Around 1001, Raingarde, first wife of Guillaume 1er de Mercoeur and second wife of Géraud de Turlande, had to flee the fighting on the Planèze. She is said to have unexpectedly given birth to her son Robert de Turlande at Pont du Saint. Their escort is said to have transported them to the Moulin du Saint (Sources Archives historiques du diocèse du Puy).

5- Don't cross the bridge, but turn left, cross a similar bridge and follow the road overlooking the valley and the Moulin du Saint.

6- Leave the main road and turn left onto a minor road that curves upwards towards La Picardie.

7- At the entrance to the village, turn right at a box tree. The track climbs (farm shed on your right) to the plateau. Continue straight ahead through meadows to reach the La Pèze road.

8- At the road, you can turn left to see the large communal wash-house (2 min round trip). Alternatively, turn right and follow the road to La Chapelle-Laurent. At the entrance to the village, note the volcanic stone cross. Turn right to reach the starting point.