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If arriving by car, park in the small car park by the wash house, located behind the Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Martin.
(S/E) Return to the church and read about its history on the display stand opposite the entrance, on the road, to the left of the last houses.
(1) Head back along the road towards the village centre, passing the shops. The nearby sign provides details on the origins of Asnières. Once at Place du 8 Mai, turn left then right onto the road towards Chez Veau and walk for about 200 m.
(2) Turn left onto Chemin des Vignes and continue straight on towards Les Troquerauds, through vineyards and shaded paths. Cross the pretty bridge over the Nouère, and do take a moment to stop and admire this spot of greenery and water, as well as the little wash house.
(3) Once you reach the RD53, admire the magnificent traditional Charente gate opposite. Note the basket-handle arches, the carved keystones, the pilasters with bases and capitals, the dated pediment and the dentil cornice. Then, carefully follow this road to the right for about 200 m.
(4) Take thefirst path on the left, which is none other than the old P’tit Rouillat railway line connecting Angoulême to Rouillac between 1885 and 1950. At the Croix Caillé crossroads, cross the RD119 and continue straight on. You will reach the crossroads just before the old Douzat station.
(5) Before turning left, you can make a short detour to this station for a well-deserved break. Then retrace your steps and turn right to walk through fields, vineyards and small woods; on the left you can see the village of Nouère and its farmhouses. Pass under the power line and go straight on to the next junction.
(6) At Champ Rosier, turn left to rejoin the road, then follow it on the left for about thirty metres.
(7) At the three-way junction, cross the road and take the path on the right, which runs below and follows the course of the river, the Nouère, from a distance. Join the RD53 and follow it to the next junction, taking great care.
(8) Head left towards Gouthiers to enjoy the cool atmosphere of this charming village bathed by the Nouère before setting off again. Cross the bridge and turn left onto Rue du Moulin, which leads to the top of the village.
(9) Admire the pretty round dovecote below the road on the left, which dates fromthe 17th century and features 39 nesting boxes with an internal spiral staircase. Then take Rue des Pierrières to head back up towards Le Pessaud. At La Combe de Jean, pass under the power line again, turn left onto the path and reach a T-junction. Turn left and head back down.
(10) Turn right onto the grassy path and follow it to the village of Asnières, in the shade of the trees. You’ll emerge just before the small bridge spanning the stream, the Rodin. Return to the front of the church and head to the car park on the right (S/E).
Tourist office
Visorando Member
Moderate 
