Saint-Loup-Lamairé walks

This route will take you through the villages of Le Chillou and Lamairé, as well as their hamlets, linked by numerous paths winding through woods and fields.

A hike dominated by water, mostly along the various branches of the Dive river and in the shade of poplar trees. The route was designed and marked out by the Loudunais Community of Communes and certified by the Vienne departmental committee of the FFRP (French Federation of Hiking and Rambling).

A walk through the countryside, criss-crossing the River Dive. A wealth of heritage awaits: a Romanesque church, an old fortified dwelling, a castle, oratories, a chapel…

This hike is a shorter version of the one offered by the Deux Sèvres hiking website, which has the same name. You will follow small roads and country lanes near the Ruisseau du Magot Natura 2000 site.

Route passing through the Vallée du Pressoir (classified as a Natura 2000 site since March 2025) then the left bank of the Thouet valley from Pommiers to Sainte-Radegonde. Pass through Saint-Jacques-de-Thouars on the left bank of the Thouet, then Saint-Jean-de-Thouars, the Cirque de Missé and return to Thouars on the right bank of the Thouet via the GR®36. The hike also offers views of the town of Thouars, with its historic monuments and rich heritage.

Leaving Sainte-Radegonde, you will discover the Pressoir valley, newly classified as a Natura 2000 nature reserve, then the west and south facades of Thouars, located on the promontory with the Thouet river flowing at its feet. Next, pass through Saint-Jean-de-Thouars, which overlooks the Thouet valley, the fortifications, the castle on its rocky spur, and the three large and remarkable natural meanders: Saint-Jean, Le Châtellier and Missé. Enjoy the superb valley and then enter Thouars at the foot of the castle ramparts.

The Ruisseau du Pressoir stream flows through a narrow, deep valley marked by the Cascade de Pommiers waterfall. Some steep slopes overlooking the stream from a height of around 40 metres make this wild and picturesque valley a unique natural environment in the Thouarsais region.

Shaded route using dirt tracks and a few sections of tarmaced local roads.

A walk through the Gâtinaise countryside along unpaved paths and local roads.

A countryside walk in the Gâtine, with shaded sections through copses and a few high points offering views of the bocage landscape.

This walk takes you through the Moulin Pochas falun site, which was used as a sandpit, and then continues with a short stroll across the plain through the fields. The site is not really a mill in the usual sense (such as a flour mill), but rather an ancient natural geological site consisting of falunières – quarries of ancient marine deposits (clay-sand cliffs known as faluns) – dating back some 15 million years. It is a unique testament in Poitou to the era when a shallow sea (the Mer des Faluns) covered the region. The site consists of ancient shell sand quarries containing marine fossils such as shells, corals, etc.

Starting from a Gallo-Roman bridge, enjoy a pleasant walk along the Canal de la Dive, a beautiful old church, a keep, a vineyard conservatory and a passage through the woods. Most of the route was designed and marked out by the Loudunais Community of Communes and certified by the Vienne departmental committee of the FFRP (French Federation of Hiking and Rambling).

A pleasant walk suitable for children around Bressuire Castle (11th–19th centuries)

A pleasant little route through the orchards of Secondigny.

In the heart of the Scevolles Forest and starting from the Étang de Guesnes, three trails, developed and signposted by the Communauté de Communes du Loudunais, are open to the public (except during January). The route described here is the longest of the three. It winds through the forest, allowing you to discover the diversity of its tree populations. Numerous information boards line this route, which is ideal for children or anyone with a curiosity about nature.

Ce parcours comporte des chemins variés, assez peu de route. Il est à faire plutôt en été, automne (chemins assez humides). Il faut soit des poneys aguerris, soit être prêt à quitter sa monture pour lui montrer le passage en 2 ou 3 endroits. Il n'y a qu'1 ou 2 chemins où le galop est possible. Beaucoup de pas, du trot de temps à autre. À éviter les après-midis en week-end du fait de la présence de piétons autour du lac à Clavé.

A hike in the Secondigny National Forest, dotted with foxgloves and ending with magnificent views of the Pays de Gâtine.

A pleasant walk around the Touche-Poupard reservoir, presenting no difficulty other than its length. There are plenty of spots along the route where you can stop for a nice break.

A pleasant walk around the Soleil Levant lake behind the Clavé dam bridge. The route follows both banks in turn along paths that are steep in places, offering lovely scenery and fine views of Lac de la Touche Poupard. The walk takes in a landscape information board, the Church of Notre-Dame de Clavé, the Gros Chêne fountain, old hamlets and the Clavé garden.

A circular route in the heart of the Loudunais vineyards (AOP Saumur) and along the canalised Dive river. You can enjoy a beautiful panorama from the ruins of a windmill, pass through pretty villages with troglodyte cellars and walk past the foot of an ancient fortified castle with moats that are still visible. Route designed and marked by the Loudunais Community of Communes, and certified by the Vienne departmental committee of the FFRP (French Federation of Hiking and Rambling).

This is an easy route that runs along the right bank of the Touche Poupard reservoir, crosses a few small streams that partially feed the dam, and passes through a few hamlets in Saint-Georges-de-Noisné. Part of the GRP® des Marches de Gâtine and GR®364 trails are used. Waterproof walking shoes with good gripping soles are recommended in case of recent rainfall.

On the border between Poitou and Touraine, this route takes you to several dolmens and a "mound" where large slabs were gathered by our Neolithic ancestors. The hike alternates between fields and woodland and passes through pretty villages with beautiful tuffeau stone houses and troglodyte cellars. Route designed and marked by the Loudunais Community of Communes.

This circular route takes you along the Soleil Levant lake, along theGR® 364 andGRP® des Marches de Gâtine footpaths, and to the village of Les Nénéens.

For the second year running, the International Ornithological Film Festival is hosting an outdoor exhibition along the paths around the village of Ménigoute. Set off to explore the small sunken paths that surround the village. Fifty photos are spread over a 2.9 km route through the bocage. Pollarded trees, streams, meadows and hedges will surround you along the way. Follow the arrows! Be sure to wear suitable footwear and clothing.

A short hike near Ménigoute, with beautiful monuments such as the Gothic Boucard Chapel and the Château de Montifault, which also offers beautiful landscapes thanks in particular to the chirons (the local name for granite boulders).

Ménigoute has become famous worldwide thanks to FIFO, the ornithological film festival, the38th edition of which took place in late October/early November 2022. The hike (inspired by a hike posted on the Saint-Martin Loisirs association website) follows theGR®®364trail along steep, sometimes narrow paths. You have to use the road, first the D21 (for 900 m) and then the D58 (for 600 m), where you should take care.

A route through hills, hedgerows, forests, streams and green valleys with numerous views of the "little Switzerland" of Beugnon.

A peaceful walk through the Pamplie countryside, between fields and forests.

Beautiful views and a few wash houses enhance this route, the first part of which is shared with the Logis de Pichenin trail.

A pleasant walk around the Autize valley offering beautiful views and varied landscapes. The village of Xaintray and its hamlets feature many renovated old houses, lending the village a certain charm. Gorre Castle and the wash houses complete the built heritage. The Autize and Chancelée valleys are areas of unspoilt natural beauty.

A route close to the river with beautiful shaded paths.

This route follows paths that run alongside the Autise and Saumort rivers in the heart of unspoilt countryside. Very pleasant in fine weather, some sections of these paths can sometimes be flooded or difficult in wet weather.