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Chail walks
Circular walk between Chail and Fontivillié
Visorando Member
7.64 mi
+125 ft
-125 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Chail (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk through the plains and woods of Chail. This route forms part of the ‘Grand 8’ trail; the other section is located in the former commune of Sompt.
Circular route from La Caillaudrie to Les Villedonnes, featuring an ancient Roman road
5.72 mi
+177 ft
-187 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from Pouffonds (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk through a hilly area south of Pouffonds and across the plateau to the east. This route begins with a walk mainly along small roads until you reach the wonderful village of Coubortiges, with its many well-restored old houses. It continues through the countryside, with its varied crops, in search of an ancient Roman road which you follow in the second half of this walk. This nature-filled route is suitable for all weather conditions.
Pouffonds - Coubortiges and its traditional architecture
5.78 mi
+203 ft
-233 ft
2h 50
Moderate
Departure from Pouffonds (Deux-Sèvres)
A lovely, varied route with beautiful sections through woodland or along a river (the Marseillaise). You’ll also discover local crops. As throughout the Pays Mellois, traditional architecture is evident, with a particular highlight being the charming village of Coubortiges.
This route alternates between wide farm tracks, a few sections of narrower paths and links along quiet roads.
Four wash-and-water fountains in Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière
3.55 mi
+115 ft
-105 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant little walk offering the chance to discover four beautiful wash-house fountains in the commune of Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière: the Fontaine du Bignon, the Fontaine au Blanc, the Fontaine de Mouchedune and the Fontaine de Mareuil.
Circular of the Three Rivers in Saint-Génard
6.33 mi
+259 ft
-272 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Génard (Deux-Sèvres)
A beautiful walk that takes you across three rivers: the Coudrières stream, the Berlande and the Marseillaise.
The route offers varied landscapes, combining the Mellois plateau with its diverse crops and the valley floors as you cross the three rivers that cut through the plateau in this area.
A tour of Melle along its green belt
3.55 mi
+141 ft
-141 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Melle (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A walk around Melle offering views of its trio of Romanesque churches, a chance to explore two wash houses and the Frankish kings’ silver mines. You’ll walk along the discovery trail through a unique arboretum.
Saint-Vincent-La-Châtre Circular Route
7.21 mi
+98 ft
-98 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Vincent-la-Châtre (Deux-Sèvres)
An easy route over almost flat terrain along grassy paths lined with hedges. The scenery is very varied and mostly away from built-up areas, making for a very pleasant walk.
Old buildings of the Château des Ouches at the Chapel of Saint-Faziol
6.25 mi
+394 ft
-381 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Melle (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A circular walk offering varied scenery with little elevation gain. This hike alternates between footpaths and a few sections on minor roads. It offers views of the Château des Ouches, the Moulin des Ouches and the Chapelle de Saint-Faziol.
Le Quaireux via the green trail
5.93 mi
+135 ft
-135 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Melle (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
This route follows part of the Sentier de la Découverte and then the Ruban Vert (Melle–Celles-sur-Belle), which follows the route of the old single-track railway line. A lovely, easy walk along wide paths, shaded for most of the way. Suitable for all weathers.
The Métairie aux Moines circular route, starting from Melle
6.82 mi
+243 ft
-240 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Melle (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk, with plenty of shade, along varied paths and small tarmac roads.
(9) Possible alternative route to significantly reduce the distance
La Berlande, springs, wash houses and the Chemin des Romains near Puyberland
4.97 mi
+98 ft
-115 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Saint-Génard (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk through a little-visited part of the Mellois plateau, starting from Saint-Génard. Along the route, you’ll discover the Berlande springs at Puyberland, as well as a lovely view of Melzéar Castle beyond Paizay-le-Tort.
The Two Fountains Route
6.79 mi
+102 ft
-102 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière (Deux-Sèvres)
A lovely walk through varied terrain, passing two springs, the Fontaine du Triangle and the Fontaine de l’Anguillière, and close to the source of the Sèvre Niortaise. This route follows mainly farm tracks with a few sections on minor roads. The landscape is pleasant and varied.
The narrow streets of Melle and L’Argentière
6.16 mi
+308 ft
-325 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Martin-lès-Melle (Deux-Sèvres)
This walking route focuses on exploring Melle’s narrow streets and ends with a very pleasant stroll along the River Argentière.
However, this walk also allows you to discover the main monuments of the town of Melle (see the section ‘During the walk or nearby’).
Walk around the fountains of Paizay-le-Tort
2.25 mi
+75 ft
-75 ft
1h 05
Easy
Departure from Paizay-le-Tort (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk combining heritage discoveries with a chance to enjoy nature.
The Saint-Coutant and Greenwich meridian circular loop
5.16 mi
+180 ft
-187 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Coutant (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A walk offering varied scenery. It starts from Saint-Coutant, a village situated on the edge of the Melle plateau. It crosses the route of a Roman road and passes directly over the Greenwich meridian.
Route des Deux Washhouses in Tillou and Sompt
5.87 mi
+157 ft
-184 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Tillou (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant route through varied terrain. Moderate elevation gain. Offers the chance to discover two traditional regional wash houses and historic water-based structures, as well as the resurgence of the Somptueuse.
Circular walk from Saint-Romans-lès-Melle to Négressauve and Mortefond
7.24 mi
+174 ft
-148 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Romans-lès-Melle (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk on the Mellois plateau, starting from the beautiful Romanesque church of Saint-Romans-lès-Melle. The route takes in varied landscapes, passing through Négressauve and Mortefond and following lovely farm tracks. One section runs along a quiet country lane. This walk also takes you along a narrow alleyway in Négressauve.
The Moulin de Génebrie and the archpriesthood of Mazières-sur-Béronne
6.84 mi
+289 ft
-302 ft
3h 25
Easy
Departure from Mazières-sur-Béronne (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant route in a little-known corner of the Mellois plateau. It allows you to discover varied landscapes, partly by following an old railway line converted into a path, crossing hamlets (Le Petit Beauvais, La Rorserie, Etrochon) with traditional buildings, sometimes running alongside the Berlande with its Moulin de Génebrie mill, and ending at the Cure du Prieuré de Mazières sur Béronne and its wash house.
This walk follows part of theGR®655, one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Bois d'Enfiré and Fontaine de la Belle
3.54 mi
+108 ft
-128 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Melle (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant hike leading to the Métairie aux Moines, the Bois d'Enfiré, the hamlet of La Carte and the Fontaine de la Belle. Discover a beautiful fountain nestled in the valley after the hamlet of La Carte. The hike is mostly shaded and, in the second half, runs along the La Belle river for a while.
Passing through Negressauve and Le Luc de Verrines
6.48 mi
+167 ft
-180 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Celles-sur-Belle (Deux-Sèvres)
A lovely walk on the Mellois plateau. Varied landscapes with a mix of fields and wooded areas. Passing through the villages of Negresauve and Le Luc de Verrines, in particular, offers a good view of traditional architecture.
A long, wooded circular loop starting from Sepvret
8.25 mi
+243 ft
-253 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Sepvret (Deux-Sèvres)
A walk of no great difficulty, set in wooded countryside with a variety of paths and trails, and small roads offering beautiful scenery. Some sections may be a little muddy if the weather is too wet.
The Sèvre Niortaise in the Sepvret area
5.36 mi
+217 ft
-203 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Sepvret (Deux-Sèvres)
This pleasant hike starts in Sepvret and takes you through beautiful landscapes, the sources of the Sèvre Niortaise, wash houses, a small mill and the Bregion dovecote with 2,200 nesting boxes.
In the vicinity of the Benedictine Abbey of Les Alleuds
7.25 mi
+26 ft
-26 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Les Alleuds (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
This walk takes you along the path used by the people of Melleran to reach Les Alleuds via ‘le Chemin de l’Abbaye’. The route takes you through the Bois du Juge, past the villages and their limestone buildings characteristic of the Pays Mellois, whilst also allowing you to discover a rich heritage of trees: lime, chestnut, oak and walnut, amongst others.
For your information, the word ‘alleu’ dates back to the 10th century and refers to land without a lord.
The area around Brégion, starting from Sepvret
6.45 mi
+312 ft
-325 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Sepvret (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk starting from Sepvret, taking in the valleys of the Sèvre Niortaise and the Ruisseau de Fontblance. Along the route, you’ll come across several springs and fountains. You’ll come across the Logis de Foucault after walking alongside the Bois du Côteau. Finally, crossing the plateau after Faugerit offers a glimpse of the agricultural landscape of the Mellois plateau.
Chapels and fountains around Lusseray, Chérigné and Luché-sur-Brioux
7.71 mi
+98 ft
-102 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Lusseray (Deux-Sèvres)
A very pleasant walk with little elevation gain across the plain around the villages of Lusseray, Chérigné and Luché-sur-Brioux, offering views of beautiful wash houses and fountains flowing into the River Dauphin. The quality of the paths (over 50% of the route) and the quiet country lanes (over 30% of the route) make for a peaceful walk, allowing you to enjoy the shade and the scenery throughout the journey.
From Les Grandes Fontaines to the Bois de l’Érable and La Roche
5.45 mi
+135 ft
-135 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Sepvret (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant, very scenic walk on the Pillac plateau. The route runs from the Sources de la Sèvre Niortaise, via the Grandes Fontaines wash house, through the Bois de l’Érable and on to the Bois de la Roche.
The Woods of Celles-sur-Belle
6.20 mi
+262 ft
-253 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Celles-sur-Belle (Deux-Sèvres)
This walk takes you on a route through the Bois de Celles. The route allows you to discover varied landscapes of woodland and farmland, as well as traditional local architecture as you pass through the hamlet of La Garzelle.
Huguenot Trails around the Lambon near Beaussais
5.21 mi
+276 ft
-289 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Beaussais (Deux-Sèvres)
The Lambon Valley is a magnet for visitors thanks to its terrain and scenery. The springs and wash houses in its villages punctuate this walk.
Family cemeteries will be visible during this walk, as well as boundary stones evoking the period of the ‘desert’ from 1685 to 1787. Similarly, umbrella pines serve as a welcoming symbol for Protestants.
Between fountains and the river near Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d’Entraigues
4.09 mi
+30 ft
-30 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d'Entraigues (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk in the Boutonne Valley near Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d’Entraigues. Its moderate length and very gentle gradient make it a family-friendly walk.
This route passes through an area of significant biodiversity, particularly at the Chaumes Pelés, which is a nature reserve home to a diverse range of wildlife and several species of orchids.
The Talle at Teurtous, as seen from Celles-sur-Belle
4.19 mi
+177 ft
-180 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Celles-sur-Belle (Deux-Sèvres)
An easy, fairly shaded walk.
The only slight drawback: the few metres you have to walk along the verge of the Route de Melle, but the verge is very wide and the road was quiet when we were there.
The Woods of Celles-sur-Belle - 2
5.17 mi
+276 ft
-282 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Celles-sur-Belle (Deux-Sèvres)
An easy walk in the woods of Celles-sur-Belle with minimal elevation changes. At the start and finish, there are beautiful views of Celles-sur-Belle Abbey. This walk offers a variety of landscapes around the village.
The route also takes you past a remarkable tree, the “Talle à Teurtous” (see “During the walk and nearby”).
In and around the Fosse aux Lions
6.24 mi
+79 ft
-69 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from La Couarde (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk through Protestant country, rich in history, combining paths through sunken lanes, open fields and woods within easy reach of La Couarde. This bocage landscape offers a lovely variety of scenery.
From one spring to another between Lambon and Sèvre Niortaise
6.21 mi
+200 ft
-171 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from La Couarde (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant hike on a plateau between Melle and Saint-Maixent, leading to the sources of the Lambon, one of the sources of the Sèvre Niortaise. This route across varied terrain allows you to enjoy the green, calm and relaxing countryside and discover many examples of the ancient architectural heritage of Poitou-Charentes through a number of well-restored houses and wash houses such as those in Goux and Grandes Fontaines.
From Vitré to Lac du Lambon
7.19 mi
+476 ft
-453 ft
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Vitré (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A beautiful, varied walk starting around Lac du Lambon and continuing through a hilly area and across the Mellois plateau, dotted with numerous castles, manor houses and other traditional buildings. Note the many shaded paths, sometimes running between embankments, which lend a special charm to this route.
Vitré and the Plan d’Eau du Lambon
6.63 mi
+344 ft
-371 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Vitré (Deux-Sèvres) (Deux-Sèvres)
A lovely route through varied, undulating terrain, part of which goes around the Plan d’Eau du Lambon.
Stunning views of the lake and its leisure centre.
From Lambon to Pié Foulard and the Château de la Lussaudière
6.55 mi
+325 ft
-322 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Prailles (Deux-Sèvres)
A pleasant walk starting from the Plan d’Eau du Lambon which, after a steep climb towards Gliére, reveals the bocage of this farming area. This route also allows you to discover the local heritage through the Couvent de Pié Foulard, the châteaux of Lussaudière and La Bessière, and traditional houses. The undulating landscape is very pleasant and offers a sense of peaceful tranquillity. This hike through Protestant country follows numerous paths and tracks between characteristic embankments.
Ruins of the village of Jean Migault
2.31 mi
+135 ft
-105 ft
1h 10
Moderate
Departure from Prailles (Deux-Sèvres)
A very pleasant walk in the woods starting from the Lac du Lambon car park. The circuit runs alongside the Lambon before leading to an old mill where there is a stone bridge to cross the river. The climb then continues along the ruins of the old village of Jean Migault, leading to the path taken on the way there, which you follow to return to the car park.
Saute Lambon from Pied l’Ouaille to Monteuil
3.34 mi
+262 ft
-259 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Prailles (Deux-Sèvres)
A short, moderately challenging walk which crosses the Lambon valley twice and offers a chance to discover varied landscapes of farmland, woodland and lush greenery at the bottom of the valley. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Protestants in southern Poitou through the figure of Jean Migault.
Between Prailles and Lambon
5.79 mi
+387 ft
-381 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Prailles (Deux-Sèvres)
A walk through varied terrain on the plateau between the village of Prailles and Lake Lambon. This route allows you to discover the diversity of the wooded countryside to the north-west of Lake Lambon.