Circuit of Open-air Wash Houses and Water Sources

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.

Technical sheet

166393
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 256 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 257 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 141 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 54 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Halte Randonneurs (Walker's rest/Meeting Point) next to the church.

Follow the track straight ahead for about 800m. Turn left at the first stage marker "La Fuie" and follow the chalk stone track.

(1) Take the left fork. When at the second stage marker "Font qui Bouille" turn right into the walnut orchard. (2) Cross through it, going straight ahead through the length of the woods. Head up to your right and enter the woods on the first path to your left.

(3) Go through the woods over roughly 200m, then follow the path on your left reaching the water source, "Font Loubat". Follow the path up, above the water source. When exiting the woods take the track to the right and head uphill for several metres.

(4) Take a sharp left turn and continue.

(5) At the crossroads, when leaving the woods, turn right, going in front of the "Font de Gours". Turn left keeping to the edge of the woods.

(6) At the corner head down to the left to regain the country trail. Once on the trail, turn right and continue straight on towards the woods getting back to the D404.

(7) Cross carefully and continue straight on.

(8) At the top of the hill turn right and heading towards Puymerle hamlet. At the junction entering the hamlet take the second right (Rue du Lavoir). Take a left at the following fork.

(9) Take the track right, through the vineyard continuing to the D90.

(10) Cross the road Be careful - towards Segeville. When entering the hamlet turn 90 degrees right and keep going.

(11) Several metres after the oak tree, turn left onto a track between the vines then left again.

(12) At the water fountain "Font Combe Raine" bypass the wood by going up to the right, then immediately left, to border the wood. Go straight on to the view point.

(13) Viewing indicator point. Continue from here to the junction. Turn left onto the road, then a sharp right over roughly 500m. Turn left towards residences (Morveau). Continue straight ahead.

(14) View point further down over Etang de Morveau. Keep going straight to the place named Les Bouillanes. Cross the road, continue on the other side. The track then takes a left - right and continues to Combe des Loges. Take the right fork
.
(15) Go through the woods for a quick round-trip to the Protestant Stele. Once you have doubled back turn right.

(16) Leaving the woods turn right for another short round-trip to the Lavoir du Maine au Bretons ( an open air wash house). To get there, keep going straight past two crossings then at highpoint 119take a right to reach the wash house. Retrace your steps to point (16), continuing straight ahead along the path on the other side, passing two right turns.

(17) Follow the track to the left going downhill through the woods.

(18) When leaving the woods descend several metres then turn right again into a wood reaching the D90.

(19) Be careful take the road on the left for 50m after the cemetery. Leave the road to take a path to the left leading back to the centre of the village and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 92 m - Hikers' halt
  2. 1 : km 0.96 - alt. 103 m - Left at the three-way junction
  3. 2 : km 1.46 - alt. 112 m - To the right in a field of walnut trees
  4. 3 : km 1.65 - alt. 119 m - Enter the wood on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.55 - alt. 131 m - At the crossroads turn left
  6. 5 : km 4.09 - alt. 108 m - At the end of the wood turn right downhill
  7. 6 : km 4.32 - alt. 99 m - After the fountain, go back down to the left
  8. 7 : km 5.49 - alt. 95 m - Caution road crossing
  9. 8 : km 5.83 - alt. 119 m - Crossing, viewpoint, turn right
  10. 9 : km 6.86 - alt. 80 m - Take the path between the vines on the right
  11. 10 : km 7.77 - alt. 69 m - D90, cross with caution
  12. 11 : km 8.89 - alt. 54 m - After the pretty oak tree, on the left
  13. 12 : km 9.81 - alt. 90 m - Font Combe Raine" fountain
  14. 13 : km 10.17 - alt. 130 m - Orientation table
  15. 14 : km 11.62 - alt. 113 m - View of the Morveau pond
  16. 15 : km 13.86 - alt. 121 m - Wood exit
  17. 16 : km 15.41 - alt. 92 m - Lavoir du Maine aux Bretons
  18. 17 : km 17.54 - alt. 128 m - Take a left
  19. 18 : km 18.14 - alt. 99 m - Do not take the road opposite turn right
  20. 19 : km 18.55 - alt. 112 m - D90, turn left
  21. S/E : km 19.48 - alt. 92 m - Hikers' halt

Practical information

Route is waymarked in red.

There is a shelter available at the start/end point. For groups, please contact the Mairie in St. Preuil 05 45 83 41 49 to arrange to collect the keys, subject to a charge.

A picnic table, map of the circuit with its alternatives and public toilets are available at the site.

In the nearby area

Discover the 18th century Saint-Projet church at the beginning of the hike, the magnificent views across the rolling countryside and Place Jacquaire, which reflects ancient pilgrim passages towards Santiago de Compostella.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
josyetjo
josyetjo
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It's a shame that the fountains and wash-houses haven't been properly cleaned. We didn't find the visit to the Breton wash-house too interesting, but it's definitely worth doing.

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valejale
valejale

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

hello
Between points (18) and (19) the path is very poorly marked in the wood, even though you can see the red markers on the trees.
Many trees have fallen across the path
It is best to continue straight ahead at point (18) towards "chez Vidaud".

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PatChab
PatChab

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,

Magnificent route through the Cognac vineyards.
The signposting is satisfactory up to point 18.
At this point the signposting is not precise enough.
There is no arrow indicating to turn right.
We had quite a hard time at this point.

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GCTourisme
GCTourisme

Hello
Thank you for your comment. We have taken good note of the lack of signposting at the place indicated.
We hope you enjoy discovering our region.
Best regards
c/o Tourism Department

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galopinscharentais
galopinscharentais

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

very nice day! well signposted path except at the "font de gours". we also enjoyed the end of the route through the wood. it will be a good memory.

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ptirandonneur
ptirandonneur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

nice tour but i think it would be more pleasant to start it the other way round to finish in beauty in the marshes rather than on the road and housing side. if not take the paper map to find your way once you get to the end village, the rest is easy and beautiful for lovers of true wild nature on the banks of the Charente.

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champdelorme
champdelorme

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful undulating route with varied landscapes and interesting heritage features.

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cybe
cybe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 14, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

parish specific to Brittany and very friendly

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saiting650
saiting650

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 09, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, nice varied route, 2 comments though: at point 18 you need to turn right after the vineyard, before the path is impassable, overgrown with brambles!... Leaving the main road, after marker 19, at the entrance to the village, go along the vineyard because the path is littered with nettles and it stings !!!!!

Yours sincerely

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australe16
australe16

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 22, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice route, the mileage is respected and physically you will not be disappointed.

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mabs2517
mabs2517 ★

Thank you very much for your comment.
Other routes will soon be posted online so that you can discover the Grande Champagne region.
We hope to see you soon.
Emmanuelle

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jais
jais

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 20, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Well done and thank you for this superb route
It takes just over two hours (I'm on horseback) to appreciate the diversity and richness of the landscapes and heritage.
Even if you're not responsible for the signposting, it's pretty well done, and the panels near the wash-houses and fountains are very pleasant and informative.
Two comments:
For horse riders: the passage through the wood between markers 18 and 19 is a little "low-ceilinged", so you can follow the wood along its edge.
For walkers, the sunken path below the cemetery just before the finish line is overgrown with nettles, so for the peace of your calves you can go along the upper bank alongside the vines.
Best regards
JAIS

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