Gensac-la-Pallue walks

Gensac-la-Pallue is notable for its marshes, to which the locals are deeply attached. La Pallue comes from ‘palus’: marshes. This wetland was once an extension of a branch of the Charente. La Pallue, an enclave within the parish of Gensac, became an independent commune during the Revolution. The two communes of Gensac and La Pallue were merged in 1857, with the exception of the villages of Roissac.

Gensac-la-Pallue is characterised by its marshes, to which the locals are very attached. The name ‘La Pallue’ comes from ‘palus’ (marshes). This wetland was once the extension of a branch of the River Charente. La Pallue, an enclave within the parish of Gensac, became an independent commune during the French Revolution. The two communes of Gensac and La Pallue were merged in 1857, with the exception of the villages of Roissac.

A route with very little elevation gain; the path is very easy to walk on, even in wet weather. At the start, you’ll pass the trout farming ponds. And nearby are some beautiful wine-growing estates.

Beautiful views of Château de Bourg and the Cognac vineyards. A very pleasant return journey along the banks of the Charente.

Thanks to the natural beauty of its location and the richness of its heritage, Saint-Brice is one of the most picturesque areas of Cognac region. At the heart of the Charente and Soloire rivers valley, man has erected many symbolic buildings: dolmens, churches, abbeys, castles and manors, all expertly crafted.

Segonzac: the root of its name means 'strength, courage' in Gaulish. Archaeological digs have revealed a Neolithic inhabitation (approx. 5000 B.C) The Hundred Years' War persuaded the construction of numerous underground passages, which enabled the inhabitants to take refuge from extreme violence. Protestantism has, without a doubt, left its mark in the area, particularly with the Segonzacais. The first Reformed church was founded in 1558. Troubles occurred in 1562 and the parish church was burnt down. Today's Temple is the third constructed since the Edict of Nantes. According to a legend at the start of the 17th century, it was at Segonzac that a vintner named Chevalier de la Croix Maron invented double distillation.

The Gaul root of its name means 'strength, courage'. The Hundred Years War persuaded the construction of numerous underground passages, which enabled the inhabitants to take refuge from extreme violence. Without a doubt Protestantism has left its mark in the area, particularly with the Segonzacais. The first Reformed church was founded in 1558. Troubles occurred in 1562 and the parish church was burnt down. Today's Temple church is the third constructed since the Edict of Nantes.

A walk through the vineyards, featuring beautiful houses and a stunning dovecote.

Built on the lower slopes of Grande Champagne, Genté offers its residents proximity to the town of Cognac, 8 km away, and the charms of rural life. Point 101 is an iconic location in the commune of Genté, where the orientation table is located. This site was once home to an old mill, some remains of which are still buried in the ground around the site. Point 101 is also the reference point for sea level.

A lovely walk through the Charentais vineyards, passing beautiful buildings and around the village of Roissac. Angeac- Champagne counts numerous prosperous-looking Charentais houses, witness to the wealth which lies in the local economy producing cognac, its principal occupation. The entrances to the estates are marked by a gate or porch way: there are at least 50. They are unique and typical of our local heritage. At Roissac village they embellish the main street.

Juillac-Le-Coq is crossed by the Mothe stream, a tributary of the Charente. The village has a population of around 667. Wine-growing is its main industry.

Juillac-Le-Coq is crossed by the Mothe stream, a tributary of the Charente. The village has a population of around 667. Wine-growing is its main industry.

Amidst the small hamlets where magnificent mansions lie hidden and the beautifully tended Cognac vineyards...

A pleasant walk through the vineyards with a gentle gradient.

A lovely walk starting from Saint-Même-les-Carrières, passing through the vineyards and the open-cast stone quarries.

This route offers the chance to discover small-scale rural heritage (fountains, wash houses). Exploring this route also allows you to appreciate the area’s scenic, floral and wildlife features.

This circuit gives you the chance to discover rural heritage (springs, water sources, open air wash houses); and at each place, a description of its history is displayed. The route also highlights the architectural and historical heritage of the 13th century (Eglise Saint-Prohet, the Place Jacquaire, the protestant stele, the Chateau de Segeville) plus the various hamlets in the locality, flora and fauna.

This route allows you to discover the area’s small-scale rural heritage (fountains, wash houses). Each water point features a historical and/or anecdotal description. The route also incorporates architectural and historical heritage (the 13th-century Saint-Projet Church, Place Jacquaire, Ségeville Castle and the scattered hamlets of the commune). Exploring this route also allows you to appreciate the area’s scenic, floral and wildlife attractions.

A parish until the Revolution (1789), Verrières became a commune under the Constitution of Year VIII, dated 28 Pluviose. At that time, Verrières fell under the jurisdiction of two neighbouring seigneuries: Juillac-le-Coq and Ambleville, both subject to the chapter of Angoulême Cathedral. Verrières formed part of the canton of Lignières until 16 Brumaire, Year VI, after which it was attached to Segonzac. The commune now has a population of 375 (857 in 1870).

The commune is bordered to the south by the Né valley, towards which its land slopes gently. Vineyards, the main crop, cover more than two-thirds of the commune’s area and produce excellent, refined Grande Champagne brandies.

Situated at an altitude of 25 metres, the River Né and the Motte stream are the main watercourses flowing through the commune of Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né. From certain vantage points, there are excellent views of the village, the dolmen, the vineyards, the Grande Champagne countryside and the other surrounding villages. Each season offers a chance to discover its own unique charms.

It was in December 1856 that Salles de Segonzac joined forces with the Commanderie d'Angles, a small village nestled in a bend of the River Le Né. Angles lived in harmony with the river, whilst Salles, resembling a large village, centred its life around wine-growing.

Gimeux was built on a hillside overlooking the valley and marshlands of the river Né and enjoys a flourishing farming activity: meadows and cereal fields in the valley, vineyards on the hills. Ancient burial sites and the outline of the old Roman road called ‘Chemin Boisné’ are revealing of the ancestral occupation of the land. The parish church dates back to the 12th century. Also marking the landscape are an old chapel as well as the remains of a windmill on the Fanaud hillside.

Situated at 25m altitude - the river Né and the Motte stream are the principal water courses which cross the locality. In certain places there are excellent views towards and from the village, the Dolmen, of the vineyards, the landscape of the Grande Champagne and surrounding villages. In every season you can discover a certain charm and appeal in St. Fort.

Lignière-Sonneville is a commune with the rolling countryside typical of the Grande Champagne region; it was formed by the merger of Lignières and Sonneville in 1845. Nestled in the heart of the Grande Champagne, it has a population of 613.

This route takes you uphill to the old mill before winding your way through the surrounding vineyards.

A route that runs mostly through the vineyards, which are ubiquitous in the commune of Bouteville, situated in the prestigious Grande Champagne region of the Cognac region. Almost all the winegrowers in Bouteville are also ‘distillers’.

The village is crossed by the Collinaud, a tributary of the Né. Primarily focused on wine-growing, Ambleville also has fertile land for growing cereals.

The Collinaud, a tributary of the Né, flows through the village. Whilst Ambleville is primarily focused on wine-growing, it also has fertile land suitable for growing cereals.

The commune of Ambleville is crossed by the Collinaud, a stream tributary of the River Né, which includes wash-houses typically found in this area of Grande Champagne. During your walk you will have the chance to discover La Motte, a hamlet in this commune. Take the time to admire the rolling countryside and La Motte wash-house. This walk can be enjoyed with all the family, because children will find it fun to cross the Collinaud by way of the stepping stones.

Lignière-Sonneville is a village with the rolling hills typical of the Grande Champagne region, formed by the merger of Lignières and Sonneville in 1845. Nestled in the heart of the Grande Champagne, it has a population of 613.

Lignière-Sonneville is a village with the rolling hills typical of the Grande Champagne region, formed by the merger of Lignières and Sonneville in 1845. Nestled in the heart of the Grande Champagne, it has a population of 613.

A route alternating between open landscapes and woodland. Very pleasant to walk.

A route to explore the Charente wine-growing landscape of the Fins Bois and traces of the past (Gallo-Roman era, 12th-century church, lime kiln, porches of Charente properties).

Much of this walk takes place in the forest, which is pleasant in summer. The rest of the route is through the vineyards, offering something for everyone.

A blue-marked route through the heart of the Grande Champagne vineyards, offering a rolling landscape.