Criteuil-la-Magdeleine loop

Parking is available in the church car park. The route is marked with dark blue signs.

(S/E) Pass the war memorial, turn left towards Chez Drouet, then turn right at the first road on leaving the village, alongside the beautiful Logis de la Mothe residence.

(1) Look for the return path on the left and continue straight ahead on the road until you reach the crossroads. Cross carefully and take the path opposite, which runs alongside the vineyards.

(2) Continue along the path on the right, turning 90°, walk along the edge of the woods and continue straight ahead to reach the hamlet of Le Petit Moulin.

(3) Cross the D151 carefully and continue along the small road opposite until you reach the hamlet of La Vie.

(4) Take the road on the left and continue for about 300 metres. Turn right towards Les Joncades, leave the access to the property on your left and follow the path straight ahead along the vineyard. Continue for about 700 metres until you reach the Chez Beilliard wine estate.

(5) Turn left. The path to the left of the copse is not very visible. Leave the vineyards by following this path, which turns right further on and continues through the undergrowth. At the edge of the wooded area, descend to the left into the chaintre (end of the vineyard where the tractors turn). About 50 metres further on (fallen tree trunk), turn right along the vineyards. Passing a row of trees, follow the field, first turn left then right, and continue to the end to reach a crossroads.

(6) Continue straight ahead, taking the path under the trees for about 700 metres. You will arrive at the Criteuil-la-Magdeleine water pumping and treatment plant, which supplies the entire area with drinking water. Twenty metres to the left is the spring outlet with an old wash house.

(7) Take the small road that climbs to the right. At the Petit Puy intersection, make a quick first turn right then left and cross the hamlet of Bernac to reach the D44.

(8) Cross carefully, turn right, then take the first road on the left. 100 metres further on, take the path on the right before a storage tank for distillation residues. Continue straight ahead on this path for 1 km, ignoring the other side roads.

(9) At the road, first turn left then right and continue along the vineyards, keeping the water tower in sight. Continue along the path, passing by the mill, then at the foot of the water tower, and continue to the road.

(10) Make a first turn left then right to take the first path through the vineyards. There, continue in the same direction, making a few turns due to the vineyard plots. You will come out onto a white path.

(11) Follow this path straight ahead until you reach the road. First turn left then right, continue for about 200 metres, then take the first path on the right, which leads to La Magdeleine. At the road, turn right, then veer left to arrive at a small square in front of the Chapelle de la Magdeleine.

(12) Continue along Chemin du Paradis, slightly to the left, and join the D44. Cross it carefully and continue straight ahead for about 400 m. The path then turns left at a horse riding centre.

(13) Cross the footbridge, then take the path on the right which continues through the woods for about 1 km along the Bras du Né. This path may be flooded during high water levels or heavy rain.

(14) At the end of the path, turn right over a small stone footbridge. Continue for about 100 metres, then turn left onto a path through the woods. When you reach the hamlet of Beaumont, you will see a beautiful old wine estate on your right and a watermill on your left.

(15) Walk up the small Rue de Beaumont. At the intersection, keep to the right and continue straight on until you reach the D151.

(16) Follow it to the left for 200 metres. Then cross carefully to take the path on the right. At the end of this path, turn left and rejoin the road you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right towards the village of Criteuil, then left after the Logis de la Mothe. Follow the road towards the village centre and return to the church car park (S/E).

The paths along the Né may be flooded during periods of high water or heavy rain.

Good restaurant "Aux Délices du Terroir" next to the church.

Numerous Cognac and Pineau producers.

Electric scooters available for hire: Trott in Charente.