Saint-Palais-du-Né walks

A lovely walk through the woods and vineyards of Petite Champagne around the River Né. Along the route, you’ll see fine examples of farmhouses with Charente-style gates, as well as old mills. The walk crosses the Île de Breuil after fording a stream. There are also fountains dotted along the route or nearby, including the Fontaine de Zade.

The commune is bordered to the south by the Né valley, towards which its land slopes gently. Vineyards, the main crop, cover more than two-thirds of the commune’s area and produce excellent, refined Grande Champagne brandies.

Hike down the vineyard-covered slopes of the Petite Champagne region, home to Cognac brandies, and venture into the woodland with its fabulous atmosphere. In Saint-Eugène, the hill, crowned by a beautiful church overlooking the Né valley, offers a magnificent panoramic view of the vineyards.

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.

The Collinaud, a tributary of the Né, flows through the village. Whilst Ambleville is primarily focused on wine-growing, it also has fertile land suitable 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.

Set slightly apart from the main roads, the village seems to have fallen asleep… And yet, at the start of the last century, it was home to numerous shops and craftsmen who made it famous throughout the surrounding area. Criteuil-la-Magdeleine boasts a wealth of large houses, known as ‘logis’, and around ten mills (no longer in operation today) situated on the River Né. Some of these can be seen from the walking trail.

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.

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.

Situated at an altitude of 25 metres, the River Né and the Motte stream are the main watercourses flowing through the commune of Saint-Fort-sur-le-Né. From certain vantage points, there are excellent views of the village, the dolmen, the vineyards, the Grande Champagne countryside and the other surrounding villages. Each season offers a chance to discover its own unique charms.

Juillac-Le-Coq is crossed by the Mothe stream, a tributary of the Charente. The village has a population of around 667. Wine-growing is its main industry.

Juillac-Le-Coq is crossed by the Mothe stream, a tributary of the Charente. The village has a population of around 667. Wine-growing is its main industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A beautiful walk through vineyards and small villages. Observation table at the foot of the Arthus mill. Pass very close to the village of Neuillac (4), with the church opposite. Between points (7) and (8), you can see the spire of Archiac church.

A pleasant walk through a very open area of vineyards, various crops and woodland. The undulating terrain offers varied scenery, culminating in the Moulin d’Arthus hill, which provides a fine vantage point from which to appreciate the views. The area is crossed by the River Villier.

A pleasant walk through the vineyards and woods of Saintonge. The route takes you through beautiful vineyard landscapes and lovely estates, often featuring outdoor vats used for the production of Pineau and Cognac.

A blue-marked route through the heart of the Grande Champagne vineyards, offering a rolling landscape.

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.

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.

This route offers the chance to discover small-scale rural heritage (fountains, wash houses). Exploring this route also allows you to appreciate the area’s scenic, floral and wildlife features.

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 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.

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.

Gimeux was built on a hillside overlooking the valley and marshlands of the river Né and enjoys a flourishing farming activity: meadows and cereal fields in the valley, vineyards on the hills. Ancient burial sites and the outline of the old Roman road called ‘Chemin Boisné’ are revealing of the ancestral occupation of the land. The parish church dates back to the 12th century. Also marking the landscape are an old chapel as well as the remains of a windmill on the Fanaud hillside.