(just visiting a friend in Tocane – Monday 28th Jan 2008 – Approx 3km / 25 mins)
The village of Tocane is only about 3km from La Treille and I quite often walk it. There are various routes to go but the best one I’ve found is to walk down the hill from our house, past the hamlet of Capitaine and then cut through the hamlet of Le Bernichoux. Go strait to the top of the hill (approx 1/2 km) and turn right, from here you get glorious views right across the valley looking over Montagrier – that’s the view in the photo on the left!

You follow the track along the top of the hill which leads down to a road (I’ll have to find out the name/number of this road), turn left for about 100 mtr’s and then right onto a lane leading through the woods, there is a post with a green marker (the green posts are ‘linking paths’ for the ‘circular paths’) at the start of this lane. This wooded path is only about 300 mtr’s long.

As you come out of the woods turn left and pass through another llittle hamlet. You should now be looking towards the Moulin du Pont (Mill on the bridge). The mill has now been converted into a Tourist Information Centre although you wouldn’t realise it… there’s no signs on the outside of the building! It’s normally open most days from 9am till 5ish but closes for lunch between 12 and 2. That’s something you’ll have to remember if you haven’t been to France before… most commercial premises close for at least 2 hours for lunch, except bars and restaurants and large supermarkets of course!

Here’s a shot of the moulin and the river. It’s a lovely spot for picnics!

Following the little path over the bridge up to the main road

turn left and walk the last few 100 mtr’s into the village of Tocane….

It was about 12 noon when I arrived in Tocane. Monday is market day in Tocane but it’s was just finishing. This is quite normal… the majority of village markets in France are ‘morning affairs’! Here’s a few shot’s around the village and of the Church….

Here’s a little local info… Tocane and St Apre were originally 2 individual parishes, they were joined together in 1852 – the locals call it Tocane Saint Ap and the villagers are know as Tocanaise. Todays commune is about 1500 inhabitants.
Every year during July Tocane holds an Irish musical festival – it’s a brilliant atmosphere!
It’s just a short journey that no doubt I’ll do many more times while living here!