Northern Route of the Battle of Nouaillé-Maupertuis

The route starts at Place du Souvenir, between the abbey and the Maison pour Tous in Nouaillé (access by car via Rue de l’Abbaye).

(S/E) From the car park, head towards Rue de l’Abbaye. Take the first right onto Plan du Guet (do not cross the small bridge towards the Town Hall).

At the edge of the forest, follow the bend to the left and continue along the Chemin de la Cave aux Loups (the cave will be on your right, visible from the path). At the Fork in the road, take the path on the right (it is also possible to turn left, closer to the Miosson; the two paths join further on).

(1) Once you reach the sign for the Chemin de la Fontaine Bédouère, continue to the left to join this wider path; once on it, turn right. The Fontaine Bédouère is on the left a little further on. Continue straight ahead through the woods, then along the Falaises de l’Omme. Cross the car park towards the road.

(2) Turn right into Rue de la Garenne. An information point on the Third Battle of Poitiers is situated on the left along this street.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left into Rue de la Croix de la Garde. When the road bends sharply to the left, leave it and continue straight on along the dirt track.

(4) At the end of the track, turn right, then carry on straight ahead (slightly to the right) along Rue des Prés Boutet (towards Cadrousse). Carry on straight ahead when the road becomes a dirt track.

(5) Take the first right (hairpin bend). When the track joins Route des Bordes, cross the road and carry on straight ahead along Rue de la Doterie.

(6) Ignore the first gravelly dirt track on the left and take the second one, which branches off just after the first, between a hedge and the houses. Once you reach Route de Poitiers (D12), cross it and carry on straight ahead along Rue de la Gare (towards La gare/La Cardinerie).

(7) Just before Mignaloux-Nouaillé station, turn right onto the Voie Romain and carry on straight ahead. Turn right just before the track loses its white colour, onto a path between two hedges.

(8) After passing the recycling centre, cross the access road to La Passerelle and continue straight on along the dirt track. When you reach Rue du Stade, turn right and follow the bend to the left until you reach the roundabout. Go round the roundabout on the right (or left) and take the D12 towards Centre-bourg / Abbaye de Nouaillé.

Just after No. 23, take the small tarmac slope down towards No. 19, and turn right onto the steps. At the bottom of the steps, continue to the left and head for the car park (E).

Green signposting along the entire route (partial signposting in the opposite direction).

Some paths are muddy in wet weather.

- Nouaillé Abbey.
- Other walks in Nouaillé-Maupertuis (see the information board in the car park at Place du Souvenir).
- The Nouaillé 1356 association organises medieval events in the village in spring and early summer, centred on the abbey and the Third Battle of Poitiers (Hundred Years’ War).