L’Échappée Belle – Route Violet – P3

Start at the Plateau d’Argentine.

(S/E) Head south-west along the small road. At the start of the descent, keep to the right of the sheep farm fence. Take the small, steep path and then cross the old railway line.

(1) You’ll reach the old Seguignas wash house. From there, head to the junction on the left and cross the D12 opposite, heading towards Fontaine. Walk up the small road to the stone cross.

(2) At the fork in the road, turn left towards the hamlets of Seguignas and then Lutardias.

(3) At Lutardias, turn left; a little further on, cross the small wood of Les Gros Chênes and head right towards its edge.

(4) On emerging from the woods, turn right again, heading due west towards the Masdonnaux hills. Continue straight on until you reach the tarmac road.

(5) Turn left, carry on for 1 km towards Fontaine and reach the next junction. You are now on the boundary between the municipalities of La Rochebeaucourt and Fontaine.

(6) Take the path on the right, follow the row of truffle oaks and continue straight ahead along the path.

(7) Turn slightly to the right into the Péricaud Forest. A little further on, pass the Violet P0 route on your right and head into the undergrowth opposite.

(8) Join the ridge path, which is still bordered in places by a low stone wall.

(9) Turn left on the heights of the Combe du Prieur, walk past an imposing pidgeon hunting hut and continue to the Chaussade bridge.

(10) Leave it on your left and follow the tarmac road to the right, alongside the Lizonne (or Nizonne in its upper reaches), to the village of Nadaillac.

(11) Leave the Violet P1 route, which heads up to the right, and cross through the village. Continue along the Nizonne. After 1 km, you’ll rejoin the Violet P2 route, which you should also leave.

(12) You’ll reach the village of Les Fieux; turn right as you enter.

(13) 200 m further on, admire the castle of the former lord, the Baron de Feuillade, on your left. Continue along the pretty, shaded forest path through the Renaudières forest. Pass the hamlet of Lagland and reach a four-way junction.

(14) Turn left towards the Plateau d’Argentine.

(2) Carry on straight ahead, cross the D12 and follow the small road opposite.

(15) On the final climb, walk alongside the old quarry, which has been converted into an educational mushroom farm, then reach the Plateau d’Argentine (S/E).

After a shared section, this route splits into five possible paths (P0 to P4) as you walk.
Stone tables and benches on the Plateau d’Argentine.
Dry toilets.
The route runs alongside the river for much of the way.

A small drainage structure beneath the old Angoulême–Mussidan railway line.
Processional cross at the entrance to Seguignas.
A beautiful 180° view from Vendoire to Villebois Lavalette across the Masdonnaux hills.
View due west towards Villebois Lavalette Castle.
View of the Château de la Ligerie at the entrance to the village of Fontaine (former home of the Chaban-Delmas family).
A rectangular stone boundary marker in the centre of the ridge path, marking the municipal boundary.
The Lizonne, or Nizonne in its upper reaches, a river marking the boundary between Charente and Dordogne.
The village of Fieux and Fieux Castle, former fief of the Baron de Feuillade.
A small educational mushroom-growing quarry on your right, 100 metres before you reach the Plateau d’Argentine.