Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac / Cherves-Richemont - Sentier des Chauffeurs

Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac is pleasantly located between the marshlands of the Antenne River and limestone hillsides. There, are hidden the remains of the Agrippa Roman road as well as forgotten local railroad.
Cherves-Richemont is graced with the Antenne River and offers an unexpected diversity of landscapes. Its historic heritage is particularly rich: Romanesque churches, Château Chesnel, watermills, manor houses….

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.99 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 116 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 115 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 97 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 11 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) Starting point from Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac Church. Facing the church, rue de Vaujompes, turn left towards Rue du Bourg then turn left again. At the junction, keep going straight on Rue de la Bidonnière and at the fork, turn left on to Rue du Petit Moulin. (1) When you reach the forest, take the little white path to the right. Follow that path to the location called ‘Chez Moreau’ and turn left on to Rue du Plessis. Walk by Château du Plessis located on your left (2). Follow that road, cross the D731 then the place called ‘Chez Bugeard’. At the first junction, turn on to the white path to the right, then at the fork, follow the path on the left-hand side. (3) Back on the road, at the place called ‘Saint-Martin’, turn left and at the crossing, left again. After the houses, at the junction, take the path to the right. After 350m, (4) at the electricity mast, turn left. Walk straight on, cross the D55 at the water tower and walk on for 1km.
(5) At the crossroads, with a manor to your left (logis de Bel-Endroit), go left on to the ancient Roman road. Walk straight on for a little over 1km, and at the X crossing, go right to meet the D159 and turn right. When you reach the place called ‘La Cassotte’ (6), follow the little path that goes straight and leave the road.
(7) At the little stone wall, walk past the big oak tree on your right and take the path to your left, walk along Antenne River, cross over and walk around Moulin de Prézier. Follow the path leaving the Moulin until you reach the D731 that you need to cross carefully. Walk on to the first path to the left after the woods. After 160m, follow the path to your right going across fields, carry on for just a bit over 250m and then turn left. Walk straight on until you reach the road and the place called ‘Pley’.
(8) Walk straight on to the place called ‘La Garnerie’ and (9) with the distillery to your right, take the road going left. Keep going straight towards Château Chesnel. (10) At the castle, go right and through the little wood. At the junction, go left and (11) left again at the crossroads. Go straight on for 1.5km walking through vines and woods. Cross the Pont de Fer (Iron Bridge), carry straight on to the cemetery then turn right to return to your starting point in front of the church (12).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 15 m - Church of Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 21 m - To the right, at a place called Le Petit Moulin
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 45 m - Château du Plessis
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 57 m - Intersection: turn left
  5. 4 : km 3.3 - alt. 93 m - Electricity pylon: turn left
  6. 5 : km 4.95 - alt. 89 m - Logis de Bel-Endroit: turn left
  7. 6 : km 6.44 - alt. 23 m - La Cassotte: straight on
  8. 7 : km 6.84 - alt. 20 m - Moulin de Prézier - Antenne (rivère) - Affluent de la Charente
  9. 8 : km 8.54 - alt. 45 m - Chez Pley: straight on
  10. 9 : km 9.02 - alt. 59 m - La Garnerie: turn left
  11. 10 : km 9.58 - alt. 48 m - Château Chesnel: turn left
  12. 11 : km 10 - alt. 29 m - Turn left, then left again
  13. 12 : km 11.16 - alt. 14 m - Iron bridge: straight on - Antenne (rivère) - Affluent de la Charente
  14. S/E : km 11.99 - alt. 15 m - Church of Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac

Practical information

Follow the yellow waymarks. Path also suitable for mountain bikes.

In the nearby area

(S) Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac Church – 12th century. Restored in the middle of the 20th century.
(2) Château de Plessis – 19th century. Belongs to Camus cognac house.
(5) Logis de Bel-Endroit – 17th century and Roman road (Via Agrippa)
(7) François 1er oak tree, Vineyard Repository, Moulin de Prézier, 18th century, converted into a gite.
(10) Château Chesnel – 17th century (open to visits)
(12) Pont de Fer (Iron Bridge)

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Angel 3
Angel 3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this magnificent hike with a top-notch app that shows you where you are at any given moment, beautiful, varied and undulating scenery.
I'd recommend it to anyone 😊

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Filouet
Filouet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route is poorly signposted but offers a variety of landscapes. I recommend a visit to Château Chesnel, led by the Countess of Rouffignac, who knows her estate inside out and makes the tour very lively and informative. You can picnic at the back of the estate if you ask for permission.

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Mimette
Mimette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An easy, very pleasant walk with varied scenery! I'd recommend it!

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jlbro17
jlbro17

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Variety of landscapes, remarkable houses and châteaux, magnificent holm oak, Roman road, riverbanks... what more could you ask for?
A beautiful walk.

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Pedroloco
Pedroloco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and varied route through the vineyards and villages of the Cognac region.

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ZATA7
ZATA7

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

From the villages you pass through to the many beautiful residences and châteaux, you're right in the middle of Cognac, and the landscapes, forests and vineyards, a little sad at this time of year, tell me I'll definitely be coming back before the summer!

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140756Cathy
140756Cathy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The route starts from the church of Saint Sulpice De Cognac, opposite the church entrance on the road side and not on the car park side.

At point 5, there are signs pointing to the Moulin de Prézier: one says "Moulin de Prézier" and the other "Variant du Moulin de Prézier"; we took the variant and I think it was the other way round.

A very pleasant walk, with a hilly, diverse landscape and a beautiful heritage.

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Laleveille
Laleveille
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A varied and pleasant walk. Interesting scenery (forest, vineyards, river) and culture (castles, mills, locks, iron bridge, etc.). No particular difficulty. The iron bridge is currently being restored (it is possible to cross it).
Sometimes there are 2 names for this route on the signs: pont de fer and chauffeurs, which is confusing. I always rely on the maps.

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nathaliecognac
nathaliecognac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, varied, undulating walk between vineyards and woods, full of pretty houses and well signposted.
What more could you ask for !!!!

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phili1615
phili1615

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hi there,
This is a lovely, quiet walk, with gentle ascents and descents and varied scenery, which takes in some very well-preserved castles.
The dry, sunny weather today meant that we were able to complete the route in 3 hours without any problems.
We wish you a pleasant evening.

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LUCIOLE17
LUCIOLE17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant surprise just a few kilometres from my home! Varied landscapes and bucolic surroundings.

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LeMarcheurAu17
LeMarcheurAu17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk through the vineyards with beautiful colours, but the route had to be changed because the iron bridge at Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac is closed off (by municipal by-law) as it is dangerous, and the same applies to the quarries.

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saiting650
saiting650

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 07, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk, beautiful views from the antennas, beautiful buildings, the iron bridge is the icing on the cake.
The iron bridge is the icing on the cake.

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courseul
courseul
• Last modified:

Hello,
It's true that crossing the iron bridge is forbidden by municipal by-law.
The wooden deck is certainly in a sorry state, but it has been covered with signs to make it safer to cross.
To cross, you have to "get away" from the municipal by-law and go over the side...
Best regards (17/08/17)

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you matfontaine for that tip.
So how did you get through?

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