Route Bleue de La Puye via Piogeard and Cenan

Park in the car park at the Place de la Mairie in La Puye.

(S/E) Head south-east from the square, round the corner by the school, to join the Route de Saint-Pierre de Maillé. Follow this road along the dirt track not far from the City-stade and discover the wash house, then the Petit Étang on your left.

(1) Continue along the dirt track to go round the leisure centre, turn left towards the Petit Étang car park, then take the footpath on the right which climbs up towards the Route de Piogeard. Follow this road all the way up, ignoring the side roads on either side. 

(2) At the end of Route de Piogeard, turn slightly right onto the path that continues straight on and follow it to the four-way junction. Take the left-hand path and continue to the multi-way junction (Route de Châtellerault, D9).

(3) Cross carefullyand take the path opposite, which is slightly to the right. You’ll reach a junction at the edge of a wood. 

(4) Take the path on the right, follow the edge of the woodland on your left, then turn left at a 90° angle and carry on straight ahead until you reach the village of Cenan and the church. 

(5)Admire the Church of Saint-Hilaire on your right. Walk down Rue de l’Église to the washhouse known as ‘la Ragote’.

(6) Turn left, cross the Route de Pleumartin and head up the Route de la Brachetterie opposite, towards La Puye.

(7) At the top of the hill, by the cross (Croix de Cenan), turn right. Ignore the path on your right leading to L’Essart and head into the woods.

(8) At the crossroads, turn left; a little further on, admire the Fontaine de Pellegrolles and continue to the next junction. 

(9) Carry on straight ahead along the stony path until you reach the end of the Chemin des Vignes. Cross the road carefully and follow the street opposite, slightly to the left (Rue des Échelles), until you reach a large crossroads. 

(10) Turn left towards La Puye, then, just after No. 15, take the street on the right, Rue du Moulin. You’ll reach the Stop sign at the end of this street. 

(11) Turn right, then immediately left onto Rue Saint-Michel.Admire the forecourt of the Chapelle des Filles de la Croix on your right. At the end of this street, cross the Route de Saint-Pierre de Maillé and return to the car park where you started (S/E). 

(1) The Petit Étang, owned by the local council, is a natural area, part of which has been developed into a leisure area with a swimming area, beach, playground and catering facilities. 

(5) The village of Cenan and its church: a 12th-century chancel with a listed altarpiece. The church, which was enlarged in the 13th century, served as the parish church for the Acadians who settled in the surrounding area, particularly along the Acadian Line. The bell tower is notable for housing the parish priest’s accommodation on^{the first} floor. Admire the washhouse and the ‘La Ragote’ fountain.

Before returning to the village and the (9), you will pass by the Fontaine de Pellegrolles, situated below the path. 

As you round the bend in Rue du Moulin, look out for the chasm on your right, below you, which once served as the outlet for the mill’s water.

(11) In the village, you can admire the convent chapel of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross.