Route between Lin and Vigne

Start at the Charmille site, near the Maison du Lin. Yellow markings with alternative green (9.9 km) and blue (8.7 km) markings

(S/E) Go under the archway and head towards the road. Turn left, then left again onto the dirt track just before the vineyards. Continue straight on for about 660m.

(1) At the end of the path, turn right then left towards the small wood. Cross it and continue straight on until you reach the RD1. Cross the road and take the path opposite.
At the small road, continue straight on, passing the house on your right, and carry on towards the small wood.

(2) Turn left towards the houses. Go round the mill to reach the limestone car park. Cross the road and take the path opposite, then turn right at a place called Les Collinauds to join the RD699. Do not follow the road but turn left onto the grassy path and continue to a Y-junction.

(3) Turn right to cross the woodland and then some vineyards; once you reach the road, turn left towards the woodland.

(4) Turn right after the trees on your right. Follow the edge of the woods on the left and continue straight ahead along the path.

(5) Turn left to cross the woods, then take the first path on the left towards the houses. Walk past the house and take the track on the right towards the woods.

(6) Turn left onto the path that crosses the woods. Continue straight on as you leave the woods to reach the road. Cross the road, take the path opposite and turn left at the T-junction.

(7) Follow the path on your right towards the row of trees. Walk alongside the trees and take the path on the left to reach the road. Turn right and continue to the RD1.

(8) Take the small road on your right which runs alongside the house. Continue straight on through the vineyards until you reach the hamlet of Chez Ballet. Turn left at the end of the road to leave the hamlet, then turn right to enter the woods.

(9) At the T-junction, take the path on the left. Continue straight on, pass the house on your right and take the path on your left immediately after. Turn right at the junction and head towards the houses at Maine Bois.

(10) Turn left at the junction, then, at the fork, follow the path on the right to walk alongside the row of trees. Cross the RD1 and take the path opposite. Continue straight on along the path through the vineyards for about 470m. At the junction by the buildings at Maine Geais, turn left towards the trees. Turn right at the trees, then take the path on your left to enter the small wood. Follow the path through the wood, then turn right.

(11) At the edge of the woods, turn left and continue straight on along the small road towards Le Maine. Once in the hamlet, turn right towards the woods.

(12) At the edge of the woods, turn right at the junction towards the vineyards and continue straight on for about 800m. Just before reaching the RD1, turn left into the woods then turn left again at a 90° angle.

(13) At the edge of the woods, veer slightly right to cross a vineyard and continue straight on (south) towards Saint-Palais. Once you reach the hamlet, turn left for about 100 metres.

(14) At the bend, turn left then continue to the right. Follow the edge of the woods then turn left at the corner.

(15) Turn left to follow the row of trees and continue straight on until you reach the road. Cross the road and take the path in front of you. Walk through the woods until you find yourself in the middle of the vineyards and continue until you reach a junction with a small copse on your right.

(16) Turn right and continue straight on for about 900m until you reach the hamlet of Saint-Denis. At the junction, turn left onto the dirt track through the vineyards.

(17) Turn left at the junction onto the limestone track, then right onto the small road towards the houses. Continue straight on and turn left at the junction towards the woods, which you will cross.

(18) At the corner of the cemetery, turn right towards the RD90. Cross the road and follow the first path on your left through the vineyards. Turn right at the junction, then take a left-hand bend followed by a right-hand bend. Continue straight on towards the houses for about 500m.

(19) At a place called Chez Sardet, take the road in front of you towards the village. At the junction with the RD699, turn right towards the village centre. Pass by the church, staying on the RD699, then take the second street on the left (Rue du Château) towards the town hall.

Cross the bridge and head straight on to return to the starting point (S/E).

Picnic tables and a motorhome area are available at the Charmille site, the starting point for the routes.

The Little House of Linen was built on the site of a former sheepfold, the idea being to recreate what the living room of a Charente weaver would have looked like during the Second Empire.
Visits: 05 45 91 60 83 or 05 45 80 51 20

La Charmille:
Former outbuildings of the château, these farm buildings form a fine architectural ensemble.