Échelle (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Touvre walks

From the top of the hills, you will see the village of Touvre, its valley and the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. The start and finish are at the source of the Touvre, the second largest resurgence in France. The route will take you through the Braconne forest and end on theGR®4.

Unspoilt nature, pretty villages, art in the countryside, magnificent views, remarkable limestone cliffs and a major prehistoric site are all good reasons to explore this route in the shade of the undergrowth.

Set off to discover the miraculous fountain of Bellevau in the commune of Sers (16). This place is a real gem, home to an underground chapel and a fountain set in a green and cool setting. Arriving via the mule track, you will pass the remains of troglodyte dwellings until you reach the chapel, part of which is underground (private property). Behind the chapel, on the side of the rock and sheltered by trees, a few cavities house religious emblems and signs of contemplation.

This very short hike allows you to discover the extent of the pools that form the sources of the Touvre, fed by several resurgences. This walk also takes you to the Lèche wash house, where one of the resurgences can be seen near an old Roman bridge.