The Bridge at Gire
Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau
Red markersNetwork
The Bridge at Gire
Medium
Difficulty3h
Duration10,3km
Distance+305m
Positive Elevation-305m
Negative ElevationLoop
Course typeRed markersEmbed this item to access it offline
The Pont de Gire circuit invites you to take a walk along paths lined with low walls, in the coolness of the undergrowth and valley bottoms where the trees are hidden under the moss.
3 points of interest
Heritage siteChurch of Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau
The church, built in the 13th century, opens to the west through a massive 15th-century portal, topped by a four-bay bell tower. It is more economical but also fragile. It is held in place by two buttresses that surround the portal. Inside, a polychrome wooden altarpiece from the 17th century features a rich and varied iconography. St. Peter, St. Bartholomew and St. John the Baptist are represented.- Heritage site
Châsse de Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau
Dating from the 13th century, this shrine represents small nimbed saints holding books. The reverse side shows angels on an enamel background covered with wavy scrolls. Relics of saints, including those of Saint Medard, are contained in this shrine. This goldsmith's treasure is preserved with other specimens in the church at Lapleau. - Heritage site
Peuch bread oven
Attached to or independent of the residential building, the bread oven is an integral element of traditional Corrézien dwellings. The size of the oven varies according to the type, the most important being the common ovens, owned by the local lords before the revolution. Their ovens could bake more than 40kg of bread in one batch
Description
- From the church, go up into the village and take the path to the right, bordered by low walls. Continue along the track on the left, then go along the D13 on the right and pass the Petit-Bois campsite.
- Leave the hamlet of Le Peuch on the left (bread ovens) and continue on the D13 for 300 m. Take the road to the right, go through the hamlet of La Vedrenne and take the path that starts to the right of a barn. Stay on the right-hand path. It loops its way down under the moss-covered beech trees. Cross the bridge at Gire, turn left and go up the village of Vergnes.
- Take the road to the right (in front of a house, a balance was used to bring up buckets from the well), and you will reach La Tendrerie. Walk between two houses on the path that goes to the left of an oak tree. It heads off through the meadows.
- Continue along the track on the left for 200 m, then descend by the path on the right. Cross the stream and climb up into a coppice of holly and birch.
- Take the stony forest track on the left. Continue by road into the hamlet of Trémoulet and, after a bend, turn onto the right-hand path. At the intersection, continue straight ahead, cross the valley and back up into the softwood plantation. Take the road to the right (view of Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau).
- Take the path on the right. At the end of the field, continue along the trail to the left. Pass the fence (beware of cows and follow the markings well), cross the stream by the ford and go up to the left. Take the road on the right to arrive at the church.
- Departure : Church, Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau
- Arrival : Church, Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau
- Towns crossed : Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau, Marcillac-la-Croisille, and Lafage-sur-Sombre
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Information desks
1 rue Joseph Vialaneix, 19300 Egletons
Carrefour de l’Epinette, 19550 Lapleau
Access and parking
At the entrance to the village of Saint-Merd-de-Lapleau, go down to the Town Hall then continue on the D60 to reach the Church
More information
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