Circular loops around Saint-Projet

Park in the small car park on the right after the wayside cross when coming from La Chapelle-Bâton, opposite the "Le Poirier" property.

(S/E) Leave the car park and head towards the cross on the left.
Take the path leading north-east from the wayside cross. At the hamlet of La Croix des Places, ignore the road branching off to the left and continue straight on along the sunken path.

(1) Turn right to cross the small Raganier stream, which is often dry, and keep right immediately afterwards onto a grassy path. Leave the road on your right towards “Les Chaises” (private property) and continue left onto the small road. Turn right a little further on onto a new road.

(2) Leave the road by turning onto the track on the right after the old wind turbine, heading towards “l’Assiette”. At the crossroads, head straight on towards the fields along the track, which quickly becomes shaded.

(3) Head right to go uphill and continue straight on along a small road. Opposite the farm entrance, leave the road and continue straight on along the path.

(4) Turn right at the T-junction and, a little further on, take the road to the left. Note the pond with its fountain on the left. Head back up to the car park (end of the first circular route – 5 km).

(5) Just before the car park, turn left opposite the “Le Poirier” property and enter the village of Saint-Projet. Follow the street, turning right, then immediately left, and continue along the path that leads downhill. Note the fountain and the wash house on the left, then continue along the path that leads uphill.

(6) Once at the top, turn left and continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths leading off to the right (this section is shared with the return route – a shortcut is possible by turning right immediately)
Further on, to the left, you’ll see another fountain.

(7) Take a detour along the path on the left to see another fountain and its pool.

(7) On your return, continue to the left. Turn left a little further on and continue along a path through the fields offering a panoramic view of a rolling countryside, its colours changing with the crops and the seasons.
When you reach the hamlet of Mennerit, turn right onto the small road opposite a country house.

(8) Turn right towards "la Rôche Taulay". After the village, the road becomes a grassy track.
Note the Logis with its tower dating from the late 15th century and continue to the village of Taulay.

(9) Turn right and walk for about 300 m to rejoin the path taken on the way there for about 50 m.

(6) Continue straight on and turn right at the road.

(10) Take the road that descends to the left. Pass the poultry farm buildings and arrive at the village of Fronton.

(11) Turn right between the houses to join a small grassy path. Further on, cross a road and continue until you climb back up to the village of Saint-Projet, where you should turn left to reach the Calvary crossroads (S/E).

A small fenced car park is available 100 m past the wayside cross, opposite the “Le Poirier” sign.
There are plenty of fountains, but it is not certain that the water is drinkable.
Most of the paths are very grassy, with the grass more or less well-mowed. Watch out for ticks!
Few or no sections are flooded during the rainy season, except perhaps at (1).

This route is recommended by the Deux-Sèvres General Council under the name “Le Chemin des Charbonniers”
It is therefore marked in yellow, though some markings are old.

Along this route you will discover:
- a wayside cross;
- sunken paths;
- at La Roche Taulé, a manor house with a preserved 15th-century tower;
- at Saint-Projet, a former church converted into a residential house;
- fountains and wash houses;
- interesting panoramic views.