The circular trail from Magny-le-Désert begins at a car park between the Grand Evier and Vallée de la Cour junction. It initially follows the “Gorges de Villiers” path, then continues along a yellow-marked trail. At a footbridge over the Gourbe, the route offers a 30-minute detour there and back to the Grotte de la fée Gisèle. Ten metres beyond the footbridge, the circular trail reaches the “Sources chaudes”.
Nature
The Gorges de Villiers formed in a layer of Armorican sandstone through a fault and erosion by flowing water. This landscape comprises forests, heathland, scree fields and a marsh. Separate from this, the “Source chaude” refers to a spring that supplies water at a temperature of 15 °C all year round.
Culture and history
The Église Notre-Dame in Magny-le-Désert has a Norman bell tower dating from the 13th century, as well as an external polygonal access tower from the same period. It has been listed as a Monument historique since 27 July 1927. The circular trail follows the forest road to the Chapelle Saint-Antoine. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great, the patriarch of the Eastern coenobites. At the Chapelle Saint-Antoine, there is a spring whose stones are used by believers to place small crosses made of hazel wood or hazel branches; these are usually made on site.
The Vallée de la Cour was a spinning and weaving mill from 1864, powered by steam and water.
For a trip to Magny-le-Désert, I would like to rent a holiday apartment.
Agriculture and food and drink
The Manoir de Durcet combines dairy farming with the production of cider in the municipality of Magny-le-Désert and produces apple and pear products. Its tour includes dairy production, livestock farming with calves and cows, and an educational farm. The tour is stated to be accessible to children and people with reduced mobility. It also takes visitors through workshops producing cider products, Calvados ageing cellars and traditional standard orchard gardens, and ends with a tasting.
Other places
Ménil-Vin, Pervenchères, Saint-Ouen-de-Sécherouvre, Camembert, Bagnoles-De-L'orne, Torchamp, Le Château-D'almenêches, Les Champeaux
