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(S) Starting from Saint-Rémy church in the old village of Merpins.
Facing the church, walk down Rue de l’Eglise then go right on to rue du Château, until you reach the junction with Rue du Cocuron that you will take to your right.
(1) Before the little bridge, take the white path (chemin Pas) to your right. After 2 km, take the little street on your right which leads up to the D732. At the road, turn left, cross over, then turn right on to Rue de la Frenade. Walk down to the railway track and cross it.
(2) 200m after the railway track, take the path on your left, then the first to the right. Go straight at the first crossing then head right at the 2nd. When you come to Avenue des Ponts, go right and right again after the little square (Rue de l’Abbaye).
Walk up Rue de l’Abbaye, then rue Fagnard and finally Rue du Fournil on your left. Follow this road then take the path to the left (3) (private lane but access agreed with the owner) towards Fontenelles Manor (manoir des Fontenelles). Go around it to the right-hand side and take the path opposite the manor house (4). Then follow the path to your left and to the left again at the crossroads.
Walk along the railway road which should be to your right, cross the train tracks and take the road to the right (5) walking up towards the buildings. Then go left, walk past the cemetery and cross the D732. Turn left then promptly right to get back onto the road that leads to Rue de l’Eglise, your starting point (S).
Merpins - Sentier François Ier
Located at the confluence of the Né and Charente rivers, the Merpins commune has been permanently occupied by men from very early times: arrowheads, pottery shards, and later an imposing medieval fortress, an 11th century church and an abbey dating back to the 12th century are the living proof. These fertile lands are home to meadows, cereal fields and a Grande-Champagne listed vineyard.
Technical sheet
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 9.14 km -
Average duration: 2h 40 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Return to departure point: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 19 m -
Vertical drop: - 19 m -
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Highest point: 31 m -
Lowest point: 5 m
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 24 m - Rue de l'Église
- 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 6 m - Cocuron bridge, right
- 2 : km 2.41 - alt. 18 m - D732
- 3 : km 3.27 - alt. 20 m - Left-hand path
- 4 : km 4.72 - alt. 9 m
- 5 : km 5.41 - alt. 8 m - Private lane, left
- 6 : km 6.29 - alt. 18 m - Crossroads, left
- 7 : km 8.03 - alt. 7 m - Right-hand road
- S/E : km 9.14 - alt. 24 m - Rue de l'Église
Practical information
Follow the blue waymarks. Path also suitable for mountain bikes.
In the nearby area
(S) Saint-Rémy Church – 12th century but mostly rebuilt in the 19th century (cf. information panel on the church).
De la Frenade Abbey built around 1140. The buildings were destroyed during the Religious Wars. Only the south wall of the 12th century nave remains as well as the 16th century chapter hall.
Old Merpins village :
- Remains of the 8th century feudal castle. King Richard Lionheart seizes it in 1176 and King John rebuilds it in the 13th century. In 1242, Merpins is given to the King of France only to return under English control in 1360. The castle is destroyed in 1387.
- Cocuron Bridge dated 1777. On the parapet, a series of small holes are the remainders of a game called “the mill game”: workers and villagers alike used to come and play this game while sitting on the parapet.
Reviews and comments
4.5 / 5
4.6 / 5
3.7 / 5
Hiking in Merpins Sentier François 1er, I can't give you my opinion because my Association des Sourds de la Charente is planning to organise a hike for its group which will take place on Saturday 6 April 2024.
Sincerely
Jacques DEMENIER
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
There is a lack of signposting, but it's easy to find your way around thanks to the very precise description.
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Hello,
Thank you for your comments. This path will indeed be reviewed and resurfaced in 2020.
We're working on it with the local council.
In the meantime
Yours sincerely
the tourism team
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Blue markings often missing. Not serious as the map is self-explanatory. The white path along the Charenton should be avoided during periods of high water as it is covered.
Varied landscape with great views at the top, amidst the vines. La Frenade abbey could be mentioned in the description.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
A route that corresponds to the explanations and the map
A route that can be completed in two hours
Avoid going during periods of high water as the first part can be difficult.
Sportingly
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Hello,
We really enjoyed this walk through vineyards and villages, but the blue signposts are often non-existent, fortunately the map is very good.
The abbey is not signposted on the route; it's a shame as it's well worth the diversions.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Interesting 1st part, then a less exciting passage through the vines. A pleasant finish in the valley.
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Hello,
The signposting...50% non-existent.
The signposting depends neither on the author nor on Visorando.
Visorando doesn't recommend waymarking because it can be modified, erased...whereas the indications on the terrain are stable information.
Visorando provides a detailed description (which can be improved), an IGN 1:25,000 map and, for those who have some difficulty finding their way, Visorando offers a virtual waymarker: a GPS Application.
A+
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Hello,
The route on the map is correct.
The signposting is 50% non-existent.
Yours faithfully
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Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to give us your opinion.
By "map layout", we mean assessing the conformity of the layout as it appears on the map in relation to the reality on the ground.
Have there been any problems with the route? If so, what can be done about it?
A+
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Overall rating : 3.3 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
It was a pleasant and varied tour: church, castle ruins, old bridge, path along a stream, fields, vineyards, remains of an abbey, manor house... all in sunshine. Really fun!
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Apr 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Interesting for those who want to get an idea of the highly mechanised work in the vineyards and meet the farmers. I regret that the route is not very "natural".
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Apr 04, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
The start of the route (Chemin Pas) and the route after the Fontenelles manor house are particularly pleasant.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Nov 13, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
A beautiful walk with the colourful foliage of the vines and woods in autumn.
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Overall rating : 3.7 / 5
Date of walk : Sep 24, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
the markings need to be redone as they are parish specific to Brittany
not to be done in the heat because the start is in the shade and then all in the sun
we did it on 25/09/16 in the sun with a little wind and 22 degrees (ideal weather)
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