Sainte-Blandine (Deux-Sèvres) walks

A walk with little elevation gain on the Mellois plateau in the Sainte-Blandine area. This route alternates between farm tracks and quiet country lanes used only by local residents. This walk offers the chance to see Poitou donkeys when they are out in the pastures or grey mares (at several points along the route).

A pleasant walk around the River Belle between the villages of Montigné and Verrines-sous-Celles. Along this route, you’ll find beautiful views of the Belle Valley, wash houses and traditional buildings. But also river crossings over stone bridges, wash houses and wells, the church at Verrines and, next to it, a bread oven.

Be extremely careful when walking along the D124 road (approximately 180 to 200 m) as vehicles travel very fast. This is the only "negative" part of this short walk, but it is important to note it. To avoid missing them, pay attention to points (3) and (4), which are not field/meadow entrances but grassy paths. No difficulty.

An easy walk in the woods of Celles-sur-Belle with minimal elevation changes. At the start and finish, there are beautiful views of Celles-sur-Belle Abbey. This walk offers a variety of landscapes around the village. The route also takes you past a remarkable tree, the “Talle à Teurtous” (see “During the walk and nearby”).

A route designed to help you discover springs and wash houses located near the River Belle between Périgné and Montigné. The route alternates between farm tracks and quiet country lanes (as evidenced by the grass growing there). The walk passes close to the Château de la Forge and alongside the Château de la Guittonnière

A lovely walk on the Mellois plateau. Very little elevation gain. An easy route offering a glimpse of the countryside surrounding the town of Périgné. This walk follows good farm tracks, often shaded, and offers a lovely glimpse of a still-wooded area of the Mellois plateau. The quality of the paths also makes this hike suitable for mountain biking.

This pleasant route will take you through several charming little villages that have retained their character. The first part of the route follows quiet, little-used roads, ideal for enjoying the peaceful landscape. The second part mainly follows dirt tracks, closer to nature. Throughout the hike, you will regularly follow the Belle and the Béronne, two rivers that bring freshness and gentleness to the route. You will also discover some traces of the local heritage, such as mills, wash houses and other water-related structures, which bear witness to the rural history of the region. A varied route, combining villages, nature and heritage, perfect for a rejuvenating walk.

A lovely walk on the Mellois plateau. Varied landscapes with a mix of fields and wooded areas. Passing through the villages of Negresauve and Le Luc de Verrines, in particular, offers a good view of traditional architecture.

A lovely route through varied, undulating terrain, part of which goes around the Plan d’Eau du Lambon. Stunning views of the lake and its leisure centre.

A beautiful, varied walk starting around Lac du Lambon and continuing through a hilly area and across the Mellois plateau, dotted with numerous castles, manor houses and other traditional buildings. Note the many shaded paths, sometimes running between embankments, which lend a special charm to this route.

A very pleasant walk in the woods starting from the Lac du Lambon car park. The circuit runs alongside the Lambon before leading to an old mill where there is a stone bridge to cross the river. The climb then continues along the ruins of the old village of Jean Migault, leading to the path taken on the way there, which you follow to return to the car park.

A pleasant hike around Aigonnay, offering a wonderful opportunity to discover a rich architectural and natural heritage. In particular, the Logis du Breuil, the wash houses and fountains of Arrignon, Trébot, etc., and beautiful landscapes along the Aigonnay river.

A pleasant route in a little-known corner of the Mellois plateau. It allows you to discover varied landscapes, partly by following an old railway line converted into a path, crossing hamlets (Le Petit Beauvais, La Rorserie, Etrochon) with traditional buildings, sometimes running alongside the Berlande with its Moulin de Génebrie mill, and ending at the Cure du Prieuré de Mazières sur Béronne and its wash house. This walk follows part of theGR®655, one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela.

A pleasant walk starting from the Plan d’Eau du Lambon which, after a steep climb towards Gliére, reveals the bocage of this farming area. This route also allows you to discover the local heritage through the Couvent de Pié Foulard, the châteaux of Lussaudière and La Bessière, and traditional houses. The undulating landscape is very pleasant and offers a sense of peaceful tranquillity. This hike through Protestant country follows numerous paths and tracks between characteristic embankments.

This walking route focuses on exploring Melle’s narrow streets and ends with a very pleasant stroll along the River Argentière. However, this walk also allows you to discover the main monuments of the town of Melle (see the section ‘During the walk or nearby’).

A pleasant hike on either side of the Lambon at the gateway to Niort in a little-known, peaceful countryside with varied landscapes. This route also allows you to discover a high-quality ancient built heritage with beautiful properties, a dovecote, etc.

A pleasant hike leading to the Métairie aux Moines, the Bois d'Enfiré, the hamlet of La Carte and the Fontaine de la Belle. Discover a beautiful fountain nestled in the valley after the hamlet of La Carte. The hike is mostly shaded and, in the second half, runs along the La Belle river for a while.

A short route in the countryside, near the water, with beautiful monuments, including wash houses.

It’s all in the title! No fewer than eight wash houses on this circular route. There are numerous springs in this area, which are said to have given the village its name: “Aigues” meaning water and “O’nay”, to spring forth. A small stream called the Aigonnay flows through Écrebis, where there used to be a mill; it joins the Lambon, which flows to the south-west.

A lovely short hike starting from Prailles, a mainly rural village. This is a wooded area criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails, much to the delight of nature lovers. During the walk, the path passes close to the Grand Ry wash house. This largely shaded route is therefore very pleasant even in hot weather. What's more, as it is on a plateau, hikers can regularly feel the effects of the wind.

A pleasant hike to discover the Argentière and Hermitain streams. The route crosses the western part of the Hermitain Forest and allows you to enjoy the peaceful nature of this bocage area to the north and east of Prailles. This route offers a beautiful introduction to the local heritage with Protestant family cemeteries, wash houses, the Monastery of Piè Foulard, as well as old houses and farms.

A pleasant walk combining heritage discoveries with a chance to enjoy nature.

A very nature-oriented walk in the Chizé Forest, starting from the Maison Forestière du Pas Trop Fort. The heavily shaded route allows you to explore a well-structured forest in the first section, with forest lanes, paths, etc. The second section follows a path that winds more, breaking up the monotony one sometimes feels in the forest.

A very pleasant walk with little elevation gain across the plain around the villages of Lusseray, Chérigné and Luché-sur-Brioux, offering views of beautiful wash houses and fountains flowing into the River Dauphin. The quality of the paths (over 50% of the route) and the quiet country lanes (over 30% of the route) make for a peaceful walk, allowing you to enjoy the shade and the scenery throughout the journey.