Lignières-Sonneville walks

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.

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.

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.

Starting from the car park at the church in Criteuil-la-Magdeleine, the route runs alongside the Né and Collinaud rivers and crosses the vineyards of the Grande Champagne region. Points of interest along the route include: the Church of Saint-Macrin - Saint Jean Baptiste, the Chapel of La Magdeleine, beautiful wine estates, the wash house, the drinking water pumping station, the remains of a watermill and windmill, and various viewpoints.

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.

Discover the rich fauna and flora of the Né valley in this Natura 2000 classified area - a nature protected zone with many diverse and protected species and plants, such as the European Mink (a little known species near extinction) and wild orchids, as well as many other species naturally found in a preserved environment.

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 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.

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.

A short walk through the Birac countryside and its small hamlets.

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.

A pleasant walk through the vineyards with a gentle gradient.

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.

Meadows around the Charente river to the forest a little higher up. Beautiful landscapes and a variety of pleasant environments to walk through.

The landscape varies along this route, first along the Charente river, then through vineyards, and now we are in the forest.

The shepherds who lived here built the Church of Saint-Surin in the 9th century. After the Revolution, this church was attached to Châteauneuf. Climbing a little higher, you can see the diversity of the surrounding landscapes, then descend along the Charente.

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.

This hike can be enjoyed in all seasons, with paths that are very passable in winter and shaded in summer. Discover the sites of Montchaude, the 16th-century castle, the church rebuilt between 1895 and 1898, the Chapel of Saint-Mathurin lost in the middle of the woods, and many viewpoints along the way.

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.

This is a very beautiful hike with a few hills, and you will often see multicoloured hot air balloons decorating the sky and adding to the enjoyment of the hike.

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

Starting from the charming little village of Saint-Simeux, discover the plateau where vines grow in abundance, dotted with small hamlets, each one more charming than the last, with their large old stone buildings.

Also known as the "small heritage trail", you will discover this heritage through a short route on the heights but also on the banks of the Charente.

A varied circuit, sometimes in the sun in the vineyards sometimes in the forest. A very pleasant walk in the middle of the countryside.

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.

A beautiful hike through vineyards and woods. Pleasant in summer. A little damp in winter after the point (10) but passable.

A path through the woods and then across fields leads to a vineyard-covered hill. Beautiful panoramic views open up on either side over the Seugne and Trèfle valleys (former windmill). From dirt tracks to country roads, passing through a pretty oak and chestnut wood, large estates dot the landscape as far as the outskirts of Le Trèfle (visit and tasting at the Domaine des Brissons), grassy paths run alongside meadows and streams and cross poplar groves to the finish.