Les Fosses walks

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 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.

A very natural route, crossing the northern tip of the Chizé Forest in the first section and the countryside to the west of Marigny in the second. This route, with its varied and relaxing landscapes, offers a peaceful experience. You may spot does or roe deer and birds in this area. Marigny was the birthplace of a great Poitevin bard: Yves Rabaut.

A pleasant walk through the countryside around Marigny, taking in the northern edge of the Chizé Forest. This route offers a chance to get close to nature away from major roads, with varied scenery. It’s a place where you might spot roe deer or birds.

In order to preserve the richness of its environmental heritage, the Grand Boussseau Forest has been designated a Sensitive Natural Area. As such, it benefits from the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Council's environmental preservation and education policy. This short trail invites you to discover this protected environment.

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 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.

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 long walk across the Niort-Brioux plain, taking in open fields and hillsides. The landscape varies greatly, from the plateau at the start of the route to the Guirande valley, ending near L’Abîme after passing at the foot of Le Peu.

A short walk across the plain between Vernoux-sur-Boutonne and Périgné. It offers the chance to discover the traditional architectural heritage of Vernoux-sur-Boutonne and the natural heritage, such as the Foncoubert wash house and fountain, and the landscapes of the plain.

A pleasant little walk along both banks of the Béronne between Vernoux-sur-Boutonne and Vilaine (de Périgné). Beautiful scenery and some lovely discoveries, such as the wash house at Foncoubert (Foucambert according to other sources), fine examples of traditional architecture and a delightful natural environment.

Be extremely careful when walking along the D124 road (approximately 180 to 200 m) as vehicles travel very fast. This is the only "negative" part of this short walk, but it is important to note it. To avoid missing them, pay attention to points (3) and (4), which are not field/meadow entrances but grassy paths. No difficulty.

A lovely walk around the Guirande in the plain to the south-west of Prahecq. This easy route winds through a hedgerow-lined countryside where the paths meander between the Guirande and intermittent streams.

This walk offers the chance to explore the varied hedgerow landscape around Périgné between the rivers Belle and Béronne. It is also an opportunity to see Saint-Martin’s Church in Périgné, the wash houses at La Fontaine, Paillette and La Grésolle, the Belle Valley, the Prérault Pond, and the châteaux of La Guittonnière and La Grésolle. The route mainly follows farm tracks, with a few sections along quiet roads.

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 walk with little elevation gain on the Mellois plateau in the Sainte-Blandine area. This route alternates between farm tracks and quiet country lanes used only by local residents. This walk offers the chance to see Poitou donkeys when they are out in the pastures or grey mares (at several points along the route).

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.

A pleasant walk around the River Belle, exploring unspoilt countryside and significant built heritage (the church and cemetery at Verrines, family cemeteries, old houses, etc.). The fairly undulating route offers beautiful scenery with varied colours depending on the crops and small woodlands.

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.

This route allows you to discover: the church of the former parish of Mairé, the porch of an old farm in Haut-Mairé, the old wash house in Bas-Mairé, the Motte Saint-Denis, the Saint-Pierre church and the 12th-century Hosannière Cross. All this while travelling through the countryside on pleasant flat paths that cross the Guirande (a tributary of the Sèvre Niortaise).

During this route, you will discover the village of Vallans and its 11th- and 19th-century Notre-Dame church, the hamlet of Le Petit Village with its fountains, the Château d’Allerit (private) and its dovecote, the hamlet of Fougerit, the Bois des Touches, watered by the Courance, leats, streams, wash houses and fountains.

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.

This walk, combining heritage and nature, allows you to discover one of the finest surviving Romanesque churches, a superb dovecote, wash houses and the keep of the old castle.

This route through the historic streets of Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan takes you to the11th-century Saint-Pierre Church and the water features – fountains and wash houses – built along the Leat Chabot and the small streams that run through the town. The Logis Municipal Park is home to some remarkable trees, under which you can enjoy a leisurely stroll.

An easy walk in the woods of Celles-sur-Belle with minimal elevation changes. At the start and finish, there are beautiful views of Celles-sur-Belle Abbey. This walk offers a variety of landscapes around the village. The route also takes you past a remarkable tree, the “Talle à Teurtous” (see “During the walk and nearby”).

An easy, fairly shaded walk. The only slight drawback: the few metres you have to walk along the verge of the Route de Melle, but the verge is very wide and the road was quiet when we were there.

This walk takes you on a route through the Bois de Celles. The route allows you to discover varied landscapes of woodland and farmland, as well as traditional local architecture as you pass through the hamlet of La Garzelle.

A lovely route through varied, undulating terrain, part of which goes around the Plan d’Eau du Lambon. Stunning views of the lake and its leisure centre.

A beautiful, varied walk starting around Lac du Lambon and continuing through a hilly area and across the Mellois plateau, dotted with numerous castles, manor houses and other traditional buildings. Note the many shaded paths, sometimes running between embankments, which lend a special charm to this route.

A pleasant hike around Aigonnay, offering a wonderful opportunity to discover a rich architectural and natural heritage. In particular, the Logis du Breuil, the wash houses and fountains of Arrignon, Trébot, etc., and beautiful landscapes along the Aigonnay river.

A very pleasant walk in the woods starting from the Lac du Lambon car park. The circuit runs alongside the Lambon before leading to an old mill where there is a stone bridge to cross the river. The climb then continues along the ruins of the old village of Jean Migault, leading to the path taken on the way there, which you follow to return to the car park.

A short, moderately challenging walk which crosses the Lambon valley twice and offers a chance to discover varied landscapes of farmland, woodland and lush greenery at the bottom of the valley. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Protestants in southern Poitou through the figure of Jean Migault.

A walk through varied terrain on the plateau between the village of Prailles and Lake Lambon. This route allows you to discover the diversity of the wooded countryside to the north-west of Lake Lambon.

A pleasant walk starting from the Plan d’Eau du Lambon which, after a steep climb towards Gliére, reveals the bocage of this farming area. This route also allows you to discover the local heritage through the Couvent de Pié Foulard, the châteaux of Lussaudière and La Bessière, and traditional houses. The undulating landscape is very pleasant and offers a sense of peaceful tranquillity. This hike through Protestant country follows numerous paths and tracks between characteristic embankments.