Bouteville walks

A route that runs mostly through the vineyards, which are ubiquitous in the commune of Bouteville, situated in the prestigious Grande Champagne region of the Cognac region. Almost all the winegrowers in Bouteville are also ‘distillers’.

This circuit gives you the chance to discover rural heritage (springs, water sources, open air wash houses); and at each place, a description of its history is displayed. The route also highlights the architectural and historical heritage of the 13th century (Eglise Saint-Prohet, the Place Jacquaire, the protestant stele, the Chateau de Segeville) plus the various hamlets in the locality, flora and fauna.

This route allows you to discover the area’s small-scale rural heritage (fountains, wash houses). Each water point features a historical and/or anecdotal description. The route also incorporates architectural and historical heritage (the 13th-century Saint-Projet Church, Place Jacquaire, Ségeville Castle and the scattered hamlets of the commune). Exploring this route also allows you to appreciate the area’s scenic, floral and wildlife attractions.

This route offers the chance to discover small-scale rural heritage (fountains, wash houses). Exploring this route also allows you to appreciate the area’s scenic, floral and wildlife features.

A route alternating between open landscapes and woodland. Very pleasant to walk.

Much of this walk takes place in the forest, which is pleasant in summer. The rest of the route is through the vineyards, offering something for everyone.

A pleasant walk through the vineyards with a gentle gradient.

Path, marked in red, following ancient Roman roads.

A blue-marked route through the heart of the Grande Champagne vineyards, offering a rolling landscape.

Lignière-Sonneville is a village with the rolling hills typical of the Grande Champagne region, formed by the merger of Lignières and Sonneville in 1845. Nestled in the heart of the Grande Champagne, it has a population of 613.

Lignière-Sonneville is a village with the rolling hills typical of the Grande Champagne region, formed by the merger of Lignières and Sonneville in 1845. Nestled in the heart of the Grande Champagne, it has a population of 613.

Meadows around the Charente river to the forest a little higher up. Beautiful landscapes and a variety of pleasant environments to walk through.

This route takes you through the meadows of the Charente near Graves. Beautiful churches and meadows with a variety of crops punctuate this lovely walk.

The Gaul root of its name means 'strength, courage'. The Hundred Years War persuaded the construction of numerous underground passages, which enabled the inhabitants to take refuge from extreme violence. Without a doubt Protestantism has left its mark in the area, particularly with the Segonzacais. The first Reformed church was founded in 1558. Troubles occurred in 1562 and the parish church was burnt down. Today's Temple church is the third constructed since the Edict of Nantes.

Segonzac: the root of its name means 'strength, courage' in Gaulish. Archaeological digs have revealed a Neolithic inhabitation (approx. 5000 B.C) The Hundred Years' War persuaded the construction of numerous underground passages, which enabled the inhabitants to take refuge from extreme violence. Protestantism has, without a doubt, left its mark in the area, particularly with the Segonzacais. The first Reformed church was founded in 1558. Troubles occurred in 1562 and the parish church was burnt down. Today's Temple is the third constructed since the Edict of Nantes. According to a legend at the start of the 17th century, it was at Segonzac that a vintner named Chevalier de la Croix Maron invented double distillation.

A long walk along the banks of the Charente to the Pyramide du Prince de Condé, where the prince’s story is explained. Another significant date is 16 December 1942, involving British Royal Marine commandos and Operation Frankton. A chapter in our history that deserves a great deal of explanation,

The landscape varies along this route, first along the Charente river, then through vineyards, and now we are in the forest.

A short walk through the Birac countryside and its small hamlets.

A ride along the Charente, passing through two picturesque little villages, Lautrait and Triac.

Walk along the banks of the Charente, passing through the village of Bassigeau and returning to Bassac.

The commune of Ambleville is crossed by the Collinaud, a stream tributary of the River Né, which includes wash-houses typically found in this area of Grande Champagne. During your walk you will have the chance to discover La Motte, a hamlet in this commune. Take the time to admire the rolling countryside and La Motte wash-house. This walk can be enjoyed with all the family, because children will find it fun to cross the Collinaud by way of the stepping stones.

The shepherds who lived here built the Church of Saint-Surin in the 9th century. After the Revolution, this church was attached to Châteauneuf. Climbing a little higher, you can see the diversity of the surrounding landscapes, then descend along the Charente.

The village is crossed by the Collinaud, a tributary of the Né. Primarily focused on wine-growing, Ambleville also has fertile land for growing cereals.

There’s plenty of variety along this route, which takes you up and down the small hills of Viville. You’ll pass close to the old windmill and alongside an old mill on the River Né.

Set slightly apart from the main roads, the village seems to have fallen asleep… And yet, at the start of the last century, it was home to numerous shops and craftsmen who made it famous throughout the surrounding area. Criteuil-la-Magdeleine boasts a wealth of large houses, known as ‘logis’, and around ten mills (no longer in operation today) situated on the River Né. Some of these can be seen from the walking trail.

Starting from the car park at the church in Criteuil-la-Magdeleine, the route runs alongside the Né and Collinaud rivers and crosses the vineyards of the Grande Champagne region. Points of interest along the route include: the Church of Saint-Macrin - Saint Jean Baptiste, the Chapel of La Magdeleine, beautiful wine estates, the wash house, the drinking water pumping station, the remains of a watermill and windmill, and various viewpoints.

Starting from the charming little village of Saint-Simeux, discover the plateau where vines grow in abundance, dotted with small hamlets, each one more charming than the last, with their large old stone buildings.

Also known as the "small heritage trail", you will discover this heritage through a short route on the heights but also on the banks of the Charente.

Juillac-Le-Coq is crossed by the Mothe stream, a tributary of the Charente. The village has a population of around 667. Wine-growing is its main industry.

Discover the rich fauna and flora of the Né valley in this Natura 2000 classified area - a nature protected zone with many diverse and protected species and plants, such as the European Mink (a little known species near extinction) and wild orchids, as well as many other species naturally found in a preserved environment.

Beautiful views of Château de Bourg and the Cognac vineyards. A very pleasant return journey along the banks of the Charente.

A varied circuit, sometimes in the sun in the vineyards sometimes in the forest. A very pleasant walk in the middle of the countryside.

Throughout this route, you’ll come across small cottages amongst the vineyards; these were used by winegrowers to store equipment and also to take shelter during breaks. One of them is open to the public.

This is a very beautiful hike with a few hills, and you will often see multicoloured hot air balloons decorating the sky and adding to the enjoyment of the hike.