Hundreds of volunteers around France are participating in a national drive to clear undergrowth from the hidden rural footpaths that were once a key part of countryside life.
However, they are frequently left unmaintained due to a lack of funds, and as a consequence, become overgrown and fall into disuse.
To help reclaim unmarked footpaths and to raise awareness, countryside association Codever is organising a series of ‘Journées des Chemins’ from March 1-16, with later dates also being added.
During these events, which will take place all around France, volunteers join forces to strim and maintain the often abandoned paths.
“Of the 750,000 or so kilometres of rural footpaths in France, thousands are disappearing every year,” Journées des Chemins organiser Charles Péot told The Connexion in 2024.
“Every week, I receive one to three notices of public utility enquiries launched by local authorities who want to dispose of a path or even as many as ten paths at a time, by selling them to neighbouring farmers, private individuals or developers”.
“The rural footpaths have been considered to belong privately to communes since January 7, 1959, meaning that their maintenance is dependent on the local authority.
However, many communes neglect them,” he said.
If you would like to participate in the Journées des Chemins, follow the group on facebook here to check if there is an event near you.
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Events planned around France
Sunday, March 2
Longages (Haute Garonne)
Saturday, March 8
Villecomtal (Aveyron)
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Sunday, March 9
Puylaurens, Servies, Puycalvel and Lautrec (Tarn)
Saint-Maurice-la-Souterraine (Creuse)
Eulmont (Meurthe-et-Moselle)
Cornant (Yonne)
Craponne and Beaune-sur-Arzon, Saint-Just-près-Brioude and Agnat (Haute-Loire)
