Ensigné walks

At the edge of the Aulnay Forest, the history of the Knights Templar, pilgrims, salt workers and winegrowers comes to life through the old paths, vineyard plots and the Commandery. This walk takes you past the rest areas at La Chaume and La Chauvière, the church at Ensigné, the Chemin de Contré and the Chemin Saunier, the Templar Commandery, the oaks of Fief-Louis, the stork well at Le Lac and the Trou de l’Ormeau.

A very pleasant walk with little elevation gain across the plain around the villages of Lusseray, Chérigné and Luché-sur-Brioux, offering views of beautiful wash houses and fountains flowing into the River Dauphin. The quality of the paths (over 50% of the route) and the quiet country lanes (over 30% of the route) make for a peaceful walk, allowing you to enjoy the shade and the scenery throughout the journey.

A pleasant hike to discover the southern part of the Chizé forest. This route offers a peaceful and shaded moment in nature in a forest with remarkable trees.

This pleasant route will take you through several charming little villages that have retained their character. The first part of the route follows quiet, little-used roads, ideal for enjoying the peaceful landscape. The second part mainly follows dirt tracks, closer to nature. Throughout the hike, you will regularly follow the Belle and the Béronne, two rivers that bring freshness and gentleness to the route. You will also discover some traces of the local heritage, such as mills, wash houses and other water-related structures, which bear witness to the rural history of the region. A varied route, combining villages, nature and heritage, perfect for a rejuvenating walk.

A lovely walk on the Mellois plateau. Very little elevation gain. An easy route offering a glimpse of the countryside surrounding the town of Périgné. This walk follows good farm tracks, often shaded, and offers a lovely glimpse of a still-wooded area of the Mellois plateau. The quality of the paths also makes this hike suitable for mountain biking.

A pleasant walk combining heritage discoveries with a chance to enjoy nature.

A route designed to help you discover springs and wash houses located near the River Belle between Périgné and Montigné. The route alternates between farm tracks and quiet country lanes (as evidenced by the grass growing there). The walk passes close to the Château de la Forge and alongside the Château de la Guittonnière

A pleasant route in a little-known corner of the Mellois plateau. It allows you to discover varied landscapes, partly by following an old railway line converted into a path, crossing hamlets (Le Petit Beauvais, La Rorserie, Etrochon) with traditional buildings, sometimes running alongside the Berlande with its Moulin de Génebrie mill, and ending at the Cure du Prieuré de Mazières sur Béronne and its wash house. This walk follows part of theGR®655, one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela.

A very nature-oriented walk in the Chizé Forest, starting from the Maison Forestière du Pas Trop Fort. The heavily shaded route allows you to explore a well-structured forest in the first section, with forest lanes, paths, etc. The second section follows a path that winds more, breaking up the monotony one sometimes feels in the forest.

A beautiful walk that takes you across three rivers: the Coudrières stream, the Berlande and the Marseillaise. The route offers varied landscapes, combining the Mellois plateau with its diverse crops and the valley floors as you cross the three rivers that cut through the plateau in this area.

A pleasant walk around the River Belle between the villages of Montigné and Verrines-sous-Celles. Along this route, you’ll find beautiful views of the Belle Valley, wash houses and traditional buildings. But also river crossings over stone bridges, wash houses and wells, the church at Verrines and, next to it, a bread oven.

This walking route focuses on exploring Melle’s narrow streets and ends with a very pleasant stroll along the River Argentière. However, this walk also allows you to discover the main monuments of the town of Melle (see the section ‘During the walk or nearby’).

A lovely walk on the Mellois plateau. Varied landscapes with a mix of fields and wooded areas. Passing through the villages of Negresauve and Le Luc de Verrines, in particular, offers a good view of traditional architecture.

A lovely, varied route with beautiful sections through woodland or along a river (the Marseillaise). You’ll also discover local crops. As throughout the Pays Mellois, traditional architecture is evident, with a particular highlight being the charming village of Coubortiges. This route alternates between wide farm tracks, a few sections of narrower paths and links along quiet roads.

A pleasant walk through a hilly area south of Pouffonds and across the plateau to the east. This route begins with a walk mainly along small roads until you reach the wonderful village of Coubortiges, with its many well-restored old houses. It continues through the countryside, with its varied crops, in search of an ancient Roman road which you follow in the second half of this walk. This nature-filled route is suitable for all weather conditions.

A circular walk offering varied scenery with little elevation gain. This hike alternates between footpaths and a few sections on minor roads. It offers views of the Château des Ouches, the Moulin des Ouches and the Chapelle de Saint-Faziol.

A walk around Melle offering views of its trio of Romanesque churches, a chance to explore two wash houses and the Frankish kings’ silver mines. You’ll walk along the discovery trail through a unique arboretum.

A very natural route crossing the northern tip of the Chizé Forest in the first part and the countryside west of Marigny in the second part. This route with its varied and relaxing landscapes offers a peaceful moment. You may see deer and birds in this area. Marigny was the home of a great Poitevin bard: Yves Rabaut.

A pleasant walk north-east of Fors in countryside alternating between hedgerows and open fields. The very natural route also allows you to explore the built heritage, ancient witnesses to the past.