Left bank of the Thouet from Sainte-Radegonde to Missé

Park in the Pommiers car park on the right bank at Sainte-Radegonde.

(S/E) Cross the Thouet river via the road and reach the left bank.

(1) Follow the path on the right until you reach the Vallée du Pressoir sign. Follow the signs for Cascade du Pressoir. At the next crossroads, take the newly constructed and signposted path on the left to reach the Vallée du Pressoir. Continue until you reach the^second three-way junction.

(2) Head south until you reach a new three-way junction, leave the path and take the south-east trail which leads to the Ruisseau du Pressoir at the bottom of the valley via the steps.

(3) Follow the left bank of the stream to the Cascade de Pommiers waterfall.

(4) Approach the waterfall, then return to the path, cross the stream and climb back up to the ridge. Continue until you reach an intersection just before the edge of the woods.

(5) Take the track on the right at a 90° angle, walk along the Enfers fields and you will come to a crossroads with four perpendicular paths. Turn left onto the path, reach a road (house opposite), turn right to reach the Les Chassais SNCF bridge. Cross it and continue to the right. You will soon reach the crossroads of a PR®.

(6) Take this yellow-marked PR® on the right. Descend towards Les Varannes until you reach the start of a path.

(7) Take it to the right downhill, cross the Ruisseau du Grollier stream via the footbridge, and continue along the stream until you reach a house. Continue along the path that leads to Les Petits Sablons.
Please note: if it is not passable in wet weather, retrace your steps to the previous crossroads, then turn left onto the road, cross the Ruisseau du Grollier, take the footbridge and continue to the Fijolleaux houses. Turn left until you reach the Petits Sablons crossroads.

(8) Turn left towards Les Petits Sablons, then after 100 metres turn right to follow the botanical trail marked by small signs, continue downhill towards the south-east and join the banks of the Thouet.

(9) Follow it to the right, passing in front of the ferry landing stage.

(10) Turn left, and you will reach a three-way junction. Turn left into Rue du Bac.

(11) Turn left onto Rue Saint-Nicolas, which slopes downwards, and walk a few metres, then turn right onto the concrete path leading to Rue du Roc. Follow the cliff overlooking the Thouet cove, the castle and its ramparts. Continue along the small street until you reach the D157.

(12) Cross it carefully, taking the pavement slightly to the left to reach the chapel (worth visiting if it is open), then continue along the chapel to the wash house. Turn right into the Parc d'Exposition de Saint-Jean. Cross it from north to south , enjoying the photographic exhibition and the facilities. Continue along the path leading to the east exit of the park.

(13) Walk up Avenue Paul Gallot for a few metres and take Route du Chatellier to reach the D938.

(14) Caution: danger. Cross the D 938, Route de Parthenay, at the pedestrian crossing and continue opposite on Route du Chatellier. You will arrive at the crossroads just before the hamlet of Les Bournais.

(15) Leave the road and turn right onto Sentier des Maisons Blanches to reach Doret.

(16) Turn almost 180° to the right, reach a three-way junction, continue on the right-hand road and arrive at the Croix Barreau crossroads, where there is a cross. Be careful of traffic in this area.

(17) Keep left to follow the Cirque de Missé and reach the Belvédère, passing by the Croix Barreau.

(18) Continue along the road towards Missé to reach the Moulin de Missé. Note: the path avoids Rue du Pont Neuf and offers a pleasant picnic spot.

(19) Now turn left to follow the Thouet. Further on, turn away from it, return to the three-way junction you passed earlier and then to the village of Doret.

(16) Turn right and then immediately left onto Route du Chatellier. This street is shared between cars (30 km/h zone), the cycle path and the horse riding path. Follow it to the large roundabout at Saint-Jean, Route de Parthenay.

(20) Do not cross, but follow the path parallel to the road on the right, marked with yellow signs. Reach the road bridge over the Thouet. Pass under this bridge. Continue opposite along Chemin Chambert and reach the Pont des Chouans.

(21) Cross the Thouet and climb the southern hillside of Thouars. Follow the uphill street, Rue du Château. Leave it at the three-way junction and take Rue Imbert to enjoy the pretty half-timbered houses and mansions. Climb up to the Church of Saint-Médard (worth visiting) and then the square of the same name.

(22) Take the GR®36, marked in red and white, Rue de l'Hotel de Ville. Walk on the pavements. Continue to the entrance to the Imbert Floral Park.

(23) Enter the park and follow the sloping paths down to the west until you reach the road leading to the campsite.

(24) Take the GR®36 again at the campsite exit, continue via the Moulin de Crevant and take the metal footbridge to cross the Thouet. At the exit, take the path on the right heading west to reach the Chaussée de Pommiers, following the Thouet and the car park on the right bank of Pommiers (S/E).

This route is recommended in dry weather with no rain. Some areas are prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain, but detours are easily possible. In addition, the route can be lengthened or shortened depending on the time available and the weather. Due to its length, it can be split into two separate parts (two 10 km sections) by setting the start/finish point at the Château gymnasium car park and rejoining the route at the point (11) via the metal bridge on Rue Saint-Nicolas.
Throughout the route, you will remain close to refreshment points and houses.

(4) After the Pommiers waterfall: enjoy the view of the valley.
(10) The ferry landing stage: in service during the summer season.
(22) Place Saint-Médard: take the opportunity to visit the Church of Saint-Médard, stroll along Rue du Château and back, which takes you to the Château, etc. The collection of public buildings, half-timbered houses and mansions makes the effort worthwhile. Refreshments are available at the Café des Arts (a must-visit).
(23) A landslide has made the GR®36 impassable at Moulin Crevant. You will need to cross the park to reach it and exit via the campsite entrance.

This route provides access to a variety of natural landscapes and historical sites in the town of Thouars. Museums, bridges and listed monuments can be visited along the route. The tourist office provides hikers with information sheets to help them explore the cultural attractions. The buildings and sites are very well maintained. The town is crossed by the GR®36 trail, marked in red and white.
Ref: Thouars, the rampart walk.
For more information, see the links:
Deux-Sèvres Tourist Office
Maison du Thouarsais