New forest footpath in Burgundy opened by Coral

A surprise lay in store for Coral at the opening of Le Sentier des étangs des Moines

WHEN I received an invitation to the inauguration of a footpath for the disabled at a beauty spot near Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux, in Burgundy, I thought it was to bring the place to the attention of others with disability or reduced mobility.

But to my astonishment I was the one asked to cut the 'ribbon', which was in fact greenery, to celebrate the opening of the path.

This particular path is Le Sentier des étangs des Moines en Forêt Dominale de Cîteaux, and is a few miles from the l'Abbaye de Cîteaux and Nuit Saint George, and was constructed by l'Office National des Forêts (ONF).

It was amazing to think that we were all stood in an area that until just a few short months ago had previously been a forest.

Through a conversation group that my husband and I belong to we met Jean-Pierre Nadaluti who works for l'Office National des Forêts.

He knew I wrote about disability issues and told me about the work the of ONF and how they created beauty spots and places of interest accessible to people with all kinds of disability. He said he would arrange for me to receive an invitation to the inauguration of the pathway.

Jean-Pierre and his colleagues have previously constructed accessible pathways at other forestry sites in the area, such as Lac de Pont near Semur en Auxois, Sentier de Baulme le Roches at Sombernon, Sentier des Falaises de Saffres, Saint Rémy near Montbard and Sentier de la Madone above Pouilly en Auxois.

Each and every one is different, but all are constructed to a high standard and with financial support from le Conseil Régional de Bourgogne, la Caisse d'Epargne de Bourgogne Franche-Comté and Lion's Club de Dijon.

The inauguration site was in the car park which has been constructed close to the pathway and has a view of the lakes.

About 20 invited people, apart from from myself and my husband, represented l'Association des Paralyses de France, l'Office de Tourisme, l'Office National des Forêts, partnership associations and a monk from l'Abbaye de Cîteaux.

Although I was surprised that there was only myself and the representative from l'Association des Paralyses de France who were disabled.

The evening was truly glorious and cast superb shadows over the lake. We were welcomed by everyone and people were interested to find out why a wheelchair user would want to be living in the Cȏte d'Or.

I was particularly welcomed by le Directeur de l'Agnce de l'Office National des Forêts Sud-Bourgogne, Sylvestre Chagnard.

He asked me about the articles I write and I explained I like to write about things happening in France but am really interested in travel, tourism and access for the disabled.

I told him about the totally accessible flat that is part of a complex in a converted cotton mill in Brittany, which I've written about in the past, see we all need a holiday sometime.

Sylvestre Chagnard thought was a great idea as there is very little in the way of totally accessible holiday accommodation in France.

When we were ready to commence the opening ceremony M. Chagnard asked me to cut the 'ribbon' which was greenery across the path.

Embarrassed and just a little shocked I asked Yvonnick Champel from l'Association des Paralyses de France to assist me.

Then we walked to the hide erected for birdwatching over the lake. There are heron, mallard, crested grebe, moorhen, cormorants and egrets; a cormorant teasingly sat on a branch in the middle of the lake but at too far a distance to get a photograph.

On the walk back to the car park I was constantly asked if the path, with 50cm depth of gravel, was suitable for the wheelchair, mainly as at le Sentier de la Madone the pathway had been difficult for wheelchairs at first until the gravel had compacted; but this was perfect.

Sylvestre Chagnard explained that in June the area had been forest but due to the work put in we were presented with a beautiful area which could be enjoyed by everyone.

The idea of constructing these sentiers had first arisen in 1994 but it took until 2005 before they were realised. A team was put together to move the plans forward and create places for people of varying disability.

The project still has to be totally completed as the notice boards and maps have yet to have braille added, coloured signs have to be erected on the walks and different textures on the ground. The pathway is 220 metres and gives views on to the lake and to the forest.

Pine benches are situated along the path which, like the notice boards, were made by disabled people in Beaune. The wood cleared to make the pathways has been reused to make the furniture ensuring the forest environmentally managed.

I had commented that one thing I felt was missing were toilet facilities. It seems a questionnaire, several centimetres thick, was issued to two blind people, one deaf person and a physically disabled person but the consensus of opinion was toilets were not necessary.

"But," I said. "Disabled people have more of a need than others for toilets as well as elderly people. Not every one can find a 'petit coin'."

My argument was backed up by Yvonnick Champel from the Paralyses de France. I explained about the dry toilets used in Australia and Sylvestre Chagnard thought they would be a good idea; my views were mentioned in his speech, the English person stirring it up again.

The ceremony was wound up with un vin d'honneur and pastries which were quite delicious. The perfect end to a glorious day.

The Sentier des étangs des Moines is off the D 996 just past l'Abbaye de Cîteaux, see map. And for more photographs visit Coral's album on Flickr.

View Larger Map