The Charente and Vineyards Route starting from Marsac

Park in the church car park (see information board).

(S/E) Head east towards the Charente via the Route des Ponts.

(1) Take the path on the left just before the bridge. Cross the footbridge over the Doux and follow the river branch for about 1.5 km.

(2) Turn left onto the Chemin de la Prairie. Carry on straight ahead to the village of Lagroux. At the crossroads, take the Rue de Chez Joumier: opposite, note the beautiful Charente-style gateway on the left. Ignore the Route de la Pougnerie on the left, continue along the Rue du Vignaud on the right and you’ll come out onto the RD96, which you follow to the left. Take a moment to rest on the bench in the shade in the small square before tackling the hillsides.

(3) Once you’ve left the village, take the Chemin du Souchaud on the left. Ignore the path branching off to the right, then the one on the left, and carry on climbing straight up the hillside. Right at the top, the Charente valley comes into view: on one side, the ‘winged giants’ of northern Charente, and on the other, the belfry of Angoulême.

(4) Leave the white track and take the wooded path on the left. Turn right at the edge of the woods. Go uphill and then back down towards the D287.

(5) Cross the road and carry on straight ahead. Beautiful rolling countryside continues to accompany you. Carry on to the left along the Route de Basse and pass under a power line.

(6) Turn left onto the white track that runs alongside the high-speed rail line, then descends gently towards the village of Lasdoux.

(7) Leave the Route de la Pougnerie on your left and carry on straight ahead. Pass under the power line again and join a road.

(8) Turn right and carry on straight ahead at the junction.

(9) Follow Rue du Lavoir to the right to reach the village washhouse. The Ladon stream is channelled alongside the road. Turn left in front of the washhouse and come out onto Rue de Ladoux. Turn left then right, go up Chemin du Quanty towards the farmhouse, which you go round on the right and then on the left to descend towards Chemin du Ladon.

(10) Continue to the right until you reach the RD96 (Route des Sables), which leads to the village centre. Turn left in front of the cemetery to return to the church square (S/E).

This route along the river is impassable during the winter months.

Contact: Pays d’Angoulême Tourist Office 05 45 95 16 84.