Haute-Saintonge

A gravel and sand track winds its way along the hillsides, which resemble small mountains. The dense forest cascades down the gentle slopes and stretches as far as the eye can see, accompanying walkers into a "wild wilderness".

The beautiful church at Fontaines-d’Ozillac features a Romanesque façade to which a nave was added during the Renaissance; take a closer look at the corbels adorned with various figures. After two kilometres across open fields, wooded areas lead to a former nature trail showcasing different tree species. Benches have been set up in a clearing; you will then climb towards a farm before descending through the pastures and taking the path back, on which you will pass a small chapel.

As you set off, you’ll discover the Romanesque church of Neuillac and its modillions featuring a variety of subjects. You’ll then walk through the Cognac vineyards. At Les Fontagards, you’ll pass a beautiful manor house that bears witness to the boom in wine-growing in the 19th century. After crossing Le Noblat, you’ll reach a more wooded area where a section of the Roman road has been uncovered, before returning to Neuillac along paths lined with vineyards and copses.

A path through the woods and then across fields leads to a vineyard-covered hill. Beautiful panoramic views open up on either side over the Seugne and Trèfle valleys (former windmill). From dirt tracks to country roads, passing through a pretty oak and chestnut wood, large estates dot the landscape as far as the outskirts of Le Trèfle (visit and tasting at the Domaine des Brissons), grassy paths run alongside meadows and streams and cross poplar groves to the finish.

The vine-covered hillsides of the Gironde are dotted with small hills planted with various crops and vines. The landscapes open up along the paths leading to the estuary. The marshes can be seen from the Beaumont hill. There you will discover a cone-shaped tower dating from the 19th century, but whose first constructions probably date back to the Middle Ages. Even today, the Beaumont Tower still serves as a navigation landmark.

Vineyards will accompany you throughout this walk, until you reach the hamlet of Saint-Paul. There, a small chapel stands surrounded by lush greenery. A path leads down to the banks of the Seugne, beautifully adorned with flowers. You will then continue through vineyards and fields along the railway line to reach Clion, where a stop is a must at the presbytery, which houses the Clion Craft and Rural Museum.

This short route takes you into the heart of the mysteries of the peat bog, a sensitive, astonishing and exotic natural environment with its lake surrounded by pines, white-trunked birches and aspens with golden foliage in autumn. The pleasant, shaded route continues along roads and forest tracks before descending towards the peat bog, where you can follow the nature trail to discover the plant and animal species detailed on the information boards along the boardwalks.