Around Maixent-l'École and Azay-le-Brûlé

Cemetery car park on Rue de l'Hommeraie.

(S/E) Walk along the cemetery on your left and turn right in front of a restaurant. Opposite the supermarket, cross the street and take the small path behind the electric car charging stations. Follow this path along the D611. Cross the next street with caution and continue along the path. At the end, turn left and continue to the water tower.

(1) Turn left onto the white path and walk to the aquatic centre. Walk past the cemetery and the stadium again.

(S/E) At the crossroads, turn right onto Rue Paul Veillon, pass the rugby stadium and turn into the second street on the left. Follow it for about 100 metres

(2) Turn right onto Rue de la Grange aux Moines. At the end of this street, at the right-angle bend, turn left and go down the street.

(3) At the crossroads at the bottom, turn left and follow the Sèvre Niortaise river until you reach Logis Saint-Martin, just before Rue Chaigneau.

(4) Take the path on the right, turn left and cross the first footbridge. Walk along the decking and turn left again onto the planks towards another footbridge.

(5) Cross it and continue right on the path to reach Rue de l'Abbé Frère Bruno Lenormand, then turn right onto Rue de l'Abbaye.

(6) Go up this street on the left until you reach the Abbey Church of Saint-Maixent. Turn right onto Rue Garran de Balzan. Take the stairs opposite the entrance to Cour Saragosse and go under the porch to reach Place du Marché opposite the market halls.

(7) Turn right, going around a restaurant, to reach Mail Marie Granet. Follow this road, cross Rue du Palais, pass in front of the town hall and cross Rue Denfert Rochereau to take the tree-lined Allée Jacques Fouchier.

(8) Turn left and arrive at Porte Chalon, go around it on the left and continue along Rue de la Coque, which turns left, until you reach Rue Jean Jaurès.

(9) Continue right on this street until Boulevard de la Trouillette. Cross it and, slightly to the right, take the stairs to an alley that turns left. Continue straight ahead to Rue Haute de la Croix.

(10) Turn right, continue to the entrance of the old cemetery on the right, cross it and exit onto Avenue du Président Wilson.

(11) Walk up the avenue on the left, turn left onto Rue du Général Sarrail. At the end, turn right and then immediately left onto Rue Paul Drévin to return to the car park (S/E).

This is an easy route that does not require any special equipment, just good walking shoes. As part of the route takes place in the town with traffic, caution is advised.

Toilets are available near the market.

You will find all kinds of shops.

Saint-Maixent-L'École is a town with a rich heritage:

The abbey church with its cloister and crypt.

The ruins of Saint-Léger Church.

The market halls.

The Mail Marie Granet.

The old cemetery, where you can linger over some spectacular tombs with explanatory panels.