La Belle au Moulin de Pouzou

Parking at Étang Prérault.

(S/E) Take the wide farm track heading north-north-west towards Champs Prérault.
As you approach Bois Rault, leave the first farm track on your left, which crosses a small bridge over the ditch (not shown on the map).

(1) After Bois Rault, located on the left of the track, turn left onto the track that runs alongside the Gervaiserie. This wide forest track is lined with tall trees and is therefore well shaded.
After about 500m, continue straight ahead, leaving a forest track on your right.

(2) After the bend, turn right onto the forest track towards the place known as "le Chêne". Continue straight on at the junction and, about three hundred metres further on, carry on straight ahead, leaving a track on your left.
When you reach the road, turn left onto it. A little further on, the road passes in front of La Grande Chagnée (on the left).

(3) At the crossroads, turn left towards La Giraudrie (signposted), which you will pass on your right about three hundred metres further on. Then take the first track on the right; this track, after a sharp left-hand bend, leads towards Champromard. It runs alongside some modern farm buildings.

(4) As you approach Champromard, turn right, leaving behind the dead-end road leading to the hamlet.
Further on, the path takes a sharp right-hand bend and runs alongside the fields known as "Pièces à Paulet".
At the next junction, turn sharply left towards the D119. The other paths lead into fields.

(5) When you reach the D119, turn right and then left onto the first farm track. Continue to the first crossroads.

(6) Continue straight ahead to the left along a long, straight track that runs alongside the fields known as "les Grandes Groies de la Bernardière". This particularly open area can be exposed to the wind when it blows: this demonstrates that you are on a plateau.
This track crosses the road leading from Champromard to Pouzou. Continue straight on; the farm track narrows and leads to the Moulin de Pouzou.

(7) After Moulin de Pouzou, turn left onto the farm track that crosses the River Belle. Ignore the first turn-off to the right and continue. This farm track joins another, narrower track at a T-junction. Turn right until you reach the next crossroads.

(8) Turn left; the path widens into a farm track and leads to the hamlet of Puy d’Ancry, which you should cross straight through and exit via the Route des Assinsis. Follow this road to the junction with the D103.

(9) Turn left; the left-hand verge of the road is wide, allowing you to walk alongside it without being hindered by passing traffic. Join the first farm track that appears on the left (at the entrance there is a ‘no entry’ sign, except for agricultural use).

(10) Follow this farm track, ignoring a track on the right, until you reach the banks of the River Belle. Follow it to a ford. Cross here – concrete electricity poles form a convenient footbridge – and take the farm track opposite. It turns sharply right before joining the D119 after a long straight stretch.
Turn left, ignoring the first two paths on the right (the first immediately on the D119, the second takes you round the Étang Prérault).
Take the third track on the right, which leads straight back to the starting point (S/E).

Easy route. You just need to wear suitable footwear and bring a water bottle. The farm tracks are often stony, particularly in the second half of the walk.

This walk is classified as moderate in difficulty due to its length (over 11 km) but is easy in terms of elevation gain (only 11 m).

Périgné ;
The Church of Saint-Martin in Périgné is one of many Romanesque buildings that have endured the vicissitudes of various conflicts, notably the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion, which were particularly devastating in the region. It has undergone several restoration campaigns that have significantly altered its original appearance.
Both inside and out, two distinct sections can be seen: the 12th-century Romanesque nave and bell tower, and the 14th-century chancel. The entrance to this church is truly terrifying. The door beneath the bell tower features, on a capital, a monstrous head with bulging eyes, which seems to be devouring the top of the small column supporting it. Its sharp teeth have even left deep gouges in the capital. The other door, on the north wall, is adorned, on one of its voussoirs, with motifs resembling long, intertwined tentacles. Could they belong to that terrifying head, barely sated, perched a few metres away?
Inside, the capitals of the nave are beautifully decorated with plant and animal motifs. The choir, with its unfinished Gothic vaults, is much brighter, lit by its four large stained-glass windows. Various similarities with Celles-sur-Belle Abbey suggest that François le Duc, known as ‘Toscane’, may have left his mark on the building.
A beautiful 17th-century stone statue, depicting the Virgin and Child holding the world in her hand, is also worth noting.
This church harbours many mysteries, some frightening, others intriguing, which are a pleasure to discover.

Secondigny-sur-Belle:
The church at Secondigny-sur-Belle is a fortified building, constructed in the 12th century. It is topped by an octagonal bell tower covered in slate. The chancel and transept, which are taller than the nave, are in the Gothic style, and a rose window adorns the south façade. The gravestones near the entrance mark the site of a former cemetery.

Places to visit around Périgné:
The Chemin de la Découverte in Melle, a botanical trail, and a visit to the town centre and its Romanesque churches, one of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Frankish Kings’ silver mines in Melle.
Zoodyssée in Chizé, a wildlife park featuring European wildlife. Activities in the park: horse-drawn route rides, play areas, human-animal encounters, exhibitions, and catering available.
The Museum of Protestant Poitou in Beaussais.
The Royal Abbey of Celles-sur-Belle.