Chizé walks

A pleasant hike to discover the southern part of the Chizé forest. This route offers a peaceful and shaded moment in nature in a forest with remarkable trees.

A very nature-oriented walk in the Chizé Forest, starting from the Maison Forestière du Pas Trop Fort. The heavily shaded route allows you to explore a well-structured forest in the first section, with forest lanes, paths, etc. The second section follows a path that winds more, breaking up the monotony one sometimes feels in the forest.

In order to preserve the richness of its environmental heritage, the Grand Boussseau Forest has been designated a Sensitive Natural Area. As such, it benefits from the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Council's environmental preservation and education policy. This short trail invites you to discover this protected environment.

At the edge of the Aulnay Forest, the history of the Knights Templar, pilgrims, salt workers and winegrowers comes to life through the old paths, vineyard plots and the Commandery. This walk takes you past the rest areas at La Chaume and La Chauvière, the church at Ensigné, the Chemin de Contré and the Chemin Saunier, the Templar Commandery, the oaks of Fief-Louis, the stork well at Le Lac and the Trou de l’Ormeau.

A lovely walk on the Mellois plateau. Very little elevation gain. An easy route offering a glimpse of the countryside surrounding the town of Périgné. This walk follows good farm tracks, often shaded, and offers a lovely glimpse of a still-wooded area of the Mellois plateau. The quality of the paths also makes this hike suitable for mountain biking.

This pleasant route will take you through several charming little villages that have retained their character. The first part of the route follows quiet, little-used roads, ideal for enjoying the peaceful landscape. The second part mainly follows dirt tracks, closer to nature. Throughout the hike, you will regularly follow the Belle and the Béronne, two rivers that bring freshness and gentleness to the route. You will also discover some traces of the local heritage, such as mills, wash houses and other water-related structures, which bear witness to the rural history of the region. A varied route, combining villages, nature and heritage, perfect for a rejuvenating walk.

This walk, combining heritage and nature, allows you to discover one of the finest surviving Romanesque churches, a superb dovecote, wash houses and the keep of the old castle.

A very natural route crossing the northern tip of the Chizé Forest in the first part and the countryside west of Marigny in the second part. This route with its varied and relaxing landscapes offers a peaceful moment. You may see deer and birds in this area. Marigny was the home of a great Poitevin bard: Yves Rabaut.

A route designed to help you discover springs and wash houses located near the River Belle between Périgné and Montigné. The route alternates between farm tracks and quiet country lanes (as evidenced by the grass growing there). The walk passes close to the Château de la Forge and alongside the Château de la Guittonnière

A long walk across the Niort-Brioux plain, taking in open fields and hillsides. The landscape varies greatly, from the plateau at the start of the route to the Guirande valley, ending near L’Abîme after passing at the foot of Le Peu.

A pleasant walk around the River Belle between the villages of Montigné and Verrines-sous-Celles. Along this route, you’ll find beautiful views of the Belle Valley, wash houses and traditional buildings. But also river crossings over stone bridges, wash houses and wells, the church at Verrines and, next to it, a bread oven.

A pleasant walk north-east of Fors in countryside alternating between hedgerows and open fields. The very natural route also allows you to explore the built heritage, ancient witnesses to the past.

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.

A walk with little elevation gain on the Mellois plateau in the Sainte-Blandine area. This route alternates between farm tracks and quiet country lanes used only by local residents. This walk offers the chance to see Poitou donkeys when they are out in the pastures or grey mares (at several points along the route).

Be extremely careful when walking along the D124 road (approximately 180 to 200 m) as vehicles travel very fast. This is the only "negative" part of this short walk, but it is important to note it. To avoid missing them, pay attention to points (3) and (4), which are not field/meadow entrances but grassy paths. No difficulty.

A lovely walk around the Guirande in the plain to the south-west of Prahecq. This easy route winds through a hedgerow-lined countryside where the paths meander between the Guirande and intermittent streams.

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.

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.

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”).