From Pont des Ânes to the Chapel of Saint-Paul around Clion

(S/E) Leave the Salle des Fêtes (or multipurpose hall) car park by taking Rue des Oiseaux to the south (to the left).

Turn right onto Rue de Saintonge, then right again onto Avenue Saint-André. The route passes in front of the Ecomuseum, then Saint-Martin Church. Continue straight ahead on the D50 (Avenue de Saint-André).
Shortly after passing the cemetery, turn left and then immediately right towards La Boissarde, which you cross straight ahead.

(1) Take the first farm track on the left, which runs alongside some undergrowth where the Seugne river flows. Continue straight ahead.

(2) At the start of a large bend to the left of the farm track, you will see the Pont aux Ânes site on the right (an area with tables - see the section entitled "During the hike or nearby").
A little further on, the track becomes a road. Cross the railway line (with caution). Continue straight ahead to the place called La Métairie de Lansac and beyond. At a crossroads, take the track opposite and continue to a T-junction.

(3) Turn left. Continue straight ahead until you reach a road very close to the railway line. Do not cross the railway line, but turn right onto the farm track that runs alongside it and joins a road at a bend.

(4) Turn right onto Rue de la Mairie. Continue straight ahead until you reach a four-way crossroads. Turn left and walk alongside a stadium.

(5) Cross the crossroads and continue straight ahead. Do the same at the next crossroads with a calvary in the centre to take a farm track (Chemin du Calvaire).
Further on, Chemin du Calvaire runs alongside the railway line before joining Route des Tannis.

(6) Turn left and cross the railway line with caution. At the next crossroads, turn right into Rue de Saint-Paul. Continue until you reach Rue de la Chapelle.

(7) Turn left and follow the road.

(8) See the Chapelle Saint-Paul and the spring, then turn right onto Rue des Sources. At the lowest point, turn right to see the chapel's spring nearby, then return to this point.
Take the path below the houses that runs alongside the Saint-Fort fountain stream (source of the chapel) and flows into the Seugne. The route here follows the^GRP®® de Saintonge (yellow and red markings). Beautiful view of the Château de Lussac.
The path joins a road which you take to the right towards the hamlet of Fontaine.

(9) Continue straight on towards Fontaine, leaving the^GRP®® de Saintonge on your left. Cross Fontaine straight ahead and continue along the path at the end of the road. There is now a beautiful view of the Château de Clam.
The path first turns right then left before joining a farm track, which you follow to an X-shaped crossroads with a road.

(10) Take the road opposite. At the first houses in Clion, the road becomes Rue de la Varaize.
Continue straight ahead until you reach Rue des Oiseaux, where you turn left. About 300 metres further on, the route arrives at the car park (S/E).

The parking area is located in the car park of the village hall - multi-purpose hall in Clion, Rue de Saintonge.

This hike covers varied terrain and requires suitable footwear.

This route is a free interpretation of two short routes published by the Communauté de Saintonge (18A and 18B) to create a hike of nearly 10 km. This route is therefore partially unmarked. It is advisable to follow the directions on the description sheet and map, comparing them with the landscape to enjoy this hike, which does not present any real difficulties.

Hike completed by the author on 1 December 2017.

Clion

Saint-André Church

Only the bell tower remains from its 12th-century construction.
This Romanesque church was modified in the 15th and 16th centuries. A Renaissance-style façade replaced the original one. It features two damaged statuettes of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew, as well as Christ and the evangelists.
The square bell tower, built in the 12th century on an earlier foundation, is decorated on each side with two windows with small columns and is covered with a pyramidal slate roof. It houses a bell weighing approximately 500 kilograms, which was installed in 1810 at the same time as the bell tower was raised by about 2 metres. It was named "Marie Changran". The godmother is the mayor's wife and the godfather is the deputy mayor.
It was replaced in 1911 by "Marie-Elisabeth, Andréa", also weighing 500 kilos. Its godmother was Mrs Marie-Elisabeth Chevailler, née Diers-Montplaisir de Clion, and its godfather was Achille Béaud, solicitor in Saintes. The founder at the time was Bollée d'Orléans.
The semi-circular apse is divided into five parts by columns. The windows of the apse and south side are Romanesque, while those on the north side are ogival.
A second nave, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a sacristy were added to the north side of the building.
In 1793, the church was saved from destruction during the Revolution by Mrs Landreau, widow of the notary at the time.
On 17 May 1996, a magnificent 18th-century tabernacle was discovered by chance by Mr Pascal Even, director of the Departmental Archives, and a group of archive enthusiasts, while tidying up the attic of the rural museum.
After the restoration of this tabernacle, Mr Claude Audebeau, a parishioner from Clion, set about restoring the church pulpit, which was in very poor condition. This was completed in early 2002. He is also credited with the restoration of a superb chandelier.
The bell tower and apse were listed as historic monuments in 1909, while the rest of the building was listed in 2000.
In 2009, following a storm that damaged the bell tower, a lightning rod and a splendid cockerel were installed. The previous cockerel had been removed decades ago.
In June 2011, new, more modern and powerful lighting was installed, bringing the interior of the church to life while awaiting further restoration.
For more information, click here.
(Sources: Flohic guide, "De la faucille à l'ordinateur" by Henri Médion)

The Pont des Ânes

Also known as "Pas de la Mule". This bridge over the Seugne, near the Lansac dairy farm, is made up of six stone blocks.
It dates back to the Gallo-Roman period.
It once connected the village of Lansac to a water mill known as "la ville". This bridge allowed animals carrying grain and flour to pass between the water mill in the commune of Saint Georges Antignac and the windmills of "Les Groies" in Clion.
The repeated passage of the miller and his donkey would explain the wear and tear on the stone.
According to legend, the stones were hollowed out lengthwise to guide the animals' steps. They were then pierced through and through to prevent accidents caused by water stagnating and freezing in winter.
This green site, ideal for fishing and relaxation, is equipped with tables and welcomes families. Please note that camping and long-term parking of caravans and motorhomes is prohibited.
(Sources: Flohic guide, published by Flohic)

The Chapel of Saint-Paul

A remarkable site, known throughout the region, belonging to private individuals.
The Templar chapel was built in the 12th century and renovated in 1706.
It is a hall with two triangular gables protruding from the roof at each end.
The west façade features a semi-circular portal, surmounted by a tall narrow window and then an oval cartouche, whose inscription has been erased.
A bell window is located under the cross.
Unusually, there is a dovecote with six nesting boxes on the south wall, topped by a cross flanked by arches.
The will of Louis de La Rochandry, "squire, lord of Croyignac, Clyon and Saint Antoine", was drawn up on 14 July 1587 in this chapel.
It was sold in 1792 as "national property".
It was acquired by Mr and Mrs Frédéric, the current owners, in 1949. It has been restored and the site is now maintained.
Two tombs carved into the rock were found there. A skeleton is on display in the chapel.
Since 1986, a mass has been celebrated there every 15 August.
At the foot of the hill where it stands is a spring, the Fontaine Saint-Fort, which forms a small pond feeding into the Seugne river a little further on.

Communal wash house

An old wash house adjoining an old mill that no longer exists. It was completely renovated in the summer of 2002 by an international group of young people and volunteers from the commune.
These young people, who were not accustomed to this type of work, came from different backgrounds: South Korea, Russia, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Algeria, etc.
Their names are engraved on one of the pillars of the wash house.