The mule route
Old Europe is criss-crossed by mule trails, and let's not forget that the mule guild was the ancestor of truckers. They have all more or less disappeared. But thanks to the initiative of Equiliberté, the mule route has been reopened.
In Poitou, and more specifically in the Mellois and Gâtine regions, the breeding of donkeys/mules has held a significant place since the Middle Ages. It was in the 19th century that this Poitou activity reached its peak and achieved exceptional results, especially in terms of export.
In 1886, more than 20,000 heads were exported, and the total population was 240,000 heads. 80% of sales were exported to Spain and Italy. The exportation was either entirely on foot to Dauphiné, the south, and Italy, with a possible return to Spain, or by boat to Spain from Nantes after a journey on foot. From 1890 onwards, this situation deteriorated, lasting until 1977... Mainly produced in Poitou-Charentes, young mules were transported to the East of France to be raised, trained, and finally handed over to users. The transportation of travelers, goods, the army with its equipment, and challenging agricultural work—all these tasks could only be accomplished with sturdy animals like the mule, which has often proven itself throughout history.
Under the auspices of the national federation of equestrian hikers EquiLiberté, Guy Bouillaud, founder of UDRE 79 (Union of Equestrian Hikers of Deux-Sèvres) / EquiLiberté 79, and EquiLiberté National, wanted to rehabilitate the "Route des Mulets" with the aim of highlighting this activity concerning the history of mules and its impact on communication between regions and countries. Many traces can be found in cities and villages, and they are highlighted during this equestrian activity of past years.
In 2021, the Route des Mulets came back to life, with Christian Michel starting from Champdenier, the starting point of the Mule Route, to Bourganeuf in Creuse. In 2022, Philippe Baudet and Gérald Yart, in charge of major routes at the EquiLiberté federation, embarked on the Route des Mulets but had to interrupt their journey in Marcenod (42) due to an injury to one of the mules. In 2023, a team of 7 mules and 3 humans, Emile Brager and his 13-year-old son Olivier, and Gérald Yart, resumed the journey from Marcenod to finally complete the Route des Mulets.
Following these various journeys, the initial itinerary will be slightly modified.
The itinerary was made possible thanks to the work of some EquiLiberté members and, for the alpine part, thanks to some professionals in equestrian tourism—all of whom are thanked here!
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