Architectural heritage in Coulonges-sur-l’Autize

Start from the Place du Château.

(S/E) Walk past the château towards the village centre, then turn right through a gateway leading to the park entrance. Cross the park and, on exiting, turn left into Rue du Calvaire.

(1) At the end of the street, turn right onto Avenue de la Gare. From this point, the walk is signposted in red and yellow as part of^{the GR®} de Pays Sud Gâtine route.
After the station, Avenue de la Gare becomes Route de Niort, and you’ll reach a roundabout. Take the first road on the left, Chemin des Bourlottières. At the end of the road, cross over and take the dirt track directly in front of you. This track becomes grassy.

(2) At the end of the track, ignore the red and yellow markings and carry on straight ahead along the small tarmac road which climbs slightly. After the hamlet of La Grille, you’ll reach a junction.

(3) Carry on straight ahead.

(4) In the wide bend to the right, turn left onto a small path that leads downhill, then take the first path on the left. This path gradually widens. When you reach a junction of paths, carry on straight ahead until you reach a crossroads with a small road.

(5) Turn left and follow the road as it bends to the right (do not take the path opposite) and carry on until you reach a road at right angles.

(6) Turn left, pass the house at a place called Touche-Vache, then take the first path on the right. At the end of the path, you’ll reach a junction with the D25. Cross carefully and carry on straight ahead. At the end of the road, turn left. At a place called Magné, pass a farmhouse and a washhouse and continue along the road.

(7) As the road bends to the right, take the grassy path opposite which leads onto Rue de Parthenay. At this point, turn right twice and walk alongside the old railway line. At the chimney of a former lime kiln, take the Chemin de la Grande Cheminée on the right, which runs alongside the buildings.

At the old gatekeeper’s house, turn left, then take the first path on the left (offering another view of the large chimney).

(8) You’ll come out onto Route de Bressuire; follow it to the left towards the village centre. After the cemetery, take the^second right onto Rue de l’Église.

(9) At the church, turn left into Rue de l’Épargne, which leads back up to the town centre.

(10) At the “Maxime” square, cross Rue de Fontenay and head towards the covered market (Baltard-style).

(11) After the market, turn right onto Rue Saint-Antoine, which leads to the small square of the same name. Then continue to the right along Rue du Minage, then turn left (opposite the Musée du Charronnage) to return to Place du Château (S/E).

Alternative route:
(3) At this junction, you can shorten the walk by turning left and then taking the first path on the left before the house at a place called Touche Vache. There are two further opportunities to shorten the route before (4).

The paths may be muddy (very muddy) after a spell of rain.
Please note that the weekly market in Coulonges takes place on Tuesdays. On these days, it is not possible to park at Place du Château, but the car park at Espace Colonica is available and is situated 100 metres from the château.

Places of interest: the château and its grounds, the old railway station, the chimney of the old lime kiln, a farmhouse, two wash houses, the church and the covered market.