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Sompt walks
Route des Deux Washhouses in Tillou and Sompt
A pleasant route through varied terrain. Moderate elevation gain. Offers the chance to discover two traditional regional wash houses and historic water-based structures, as well as the resurgence of the Somptueuse.
The ‘Grand Huit de Sompt’ circular route
A pleasant walk through the plains and villages of Sompt, featuring the magnificent sites of La Barbette and La Source de la Sompteuse.
This route forms part of the Grand Huit; the other section is located in the former commune of Chail.
La Berlande, springs, wash houses and the Chemin des Romains near Puyberland
A pleasant walk through a little-visited part of the Mellois plateau, starting from Saint-Génard. Along the route, you’ll discover the Berlande springs at Puyberland, as well as a lovely view of Melzéar Castle beyond Paizay-le-Tort.
Circular of the Three Rivers in Saint-Génard
A beautiful walk that takes you across three rivers: the Coudrières stream, the Berlande and the Marseillaise.
The route offers varied landscapes, combining the Mellois plateau with its diverse crops and the valley floors as you cross the three rivers that cut through the plateau in this area.
Between fountains and the river near Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d’Entraigues
A pleasant walk in the Boutonne Valley near Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d’Entraigues. Its moderate length and very gentle gradient make it a family-friendly walk.
This route passes through an area of significant biodiversity, particularly at the Chaumes Pelés, which is a nature reserve home to a diverse range of wildlife and several species of orchids.
Pouffonds - Coubortiges and its traditional architecture
A lovely, varied route with beautiful sections through woodland or along a river (the Marseillaise). You’ll also discover local crops. As throughout the Pays Mellois, traditional architecture is evident, with a particular highlight being the charming village of Coubortiges.
This route alternates between wide farm tracks, a few sections of narrower paths and links along quiet roads.
Chapels and fountains around Lusseray, Chérigné and Luché-sur-Brioux
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.
Circular route from La Caillaudrie to Les Villedonnes, featuring an ancient Roman road
A pleasant walk through a hilly area south of Pouffonds and across the plateau to the east. This route begins with a walk mainly along small roads until you reach the wonderful village of Coubortiges, with its many well-restored old houses. It continues through the countryside, with its varied crops, in search of an ancient Roman road which you follow in the second half of this walk. This nature-filled route is suitable for all weather conditions.
Walk around the fountains of Paizay-le-Tort
A pleasant walk combining heritage discoveries with a chance to enjoy nature.
Hidden natural beauty between Javarzay and Lussais
A lovely walk through the bocage countryside south of Javarzay, with its castle, and Lusseau. This walk, which takes you on both sides of the River Boutonne, is very pleasant and offers a lovely escape into the countryside right on the outskirts of Chef-Boutonne, a small town that is also well worth a visit.
Circular walk between Chail and Fontivillié
A pleasant walk through the plains and woods of Chail. This route forms part of the ‘Grand 8’ trail; the other section is located in the former commune of Sompt.
The Four Fountains Circular Route
A lovely walk through varied countryside, with much of the route in the shade of the woodland. This route takes you past four fountains and their wash houses in the commune of Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière: Mouchedune, au Blanc, du Bignon and de Mareuil.
The Moulin de Génebrie and the archpriesthood of Mazières-sur-Béronne
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.
Old buildings of the Château des Ouches at the Chapel of Saint-Faziol
A circular walk offering varied scenery with little elevation gain. This hike alternates between footpaths and a few sections on minor roads. It offers views of the Château des Ouches, the Moulin des Ouches and the Chapelle de Saint-Faziol.
In the vicinity of the Benedictine Abbey of Les Alleuds
This walk takes you along the path used by the people of Melleran to reach Les Alleuds via ‘le Chemin de l’Abbaye’. The route takes you through the Bois du Juge, past the villages and their limestone buildings characteristic of the Pays Mellois, whilst also allowing you to discover a rich heritage of trees: lime, chestnut, oak and walnut, amongst others.
For your information, the word ‘alleu’ dates back to the 10th century and refers to land without a lord.
Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière – La Bertramière
This moderate-difficulty walk covers part of the Mellois plateau to the north of the town. The starting point is in front of the church of Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière. The route covers varied terrain, alternating between open countryside and woodland sections. Most of the route follows good-quality paths; only a few sections are on roads, notably when passing through Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière and La Bertramière.
Four wash-and-water fountains in Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière
A pleasant little walk offering the chance to discover four beautiful wash-house fountains in the commune of Saint-Léger-de-la-Martinière: the Fontaine du Bignon, the Fontaine au Blanc, the Fontaine de Mouchedune and the Fontaine de Mareuil.
Fountains and wash houses at Mareuil and Mouchedune in Bournaveau
A lovely walking route starting from Bournaveau, offering varied scenery (countryside and woodland). This route allows you to discover some of the traditional architecture of southern Deux-Sèvres, notably at La Baudrière (well, bread oven) and two old wash houses at the Mareuil and Mouchedune fountains.
A tour of Melle along its green belt
A walk around Melle offering views of its trio of Romanesque churches, a chance to explore two wash houses and the Frankish kings’ silver mines. You’ll walk along the discovery trail through a unique arboretum.
Le Quaireux via the green trail
This route follows part of the Sentier de la Découverte and then the Ruban Vert (Melle–Celles-sur-Belle), which follows the route of the old single-track railway line. A lovely, easy walk along wide paths, shaded for most of the way. Suitable for all weathers.
The narrow streets of Melle and L’Argentière
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’).
Circular walk between Saint-Martin-lès-Melle and Saint-Romans-lès-Melle
A route alternating between footpaths and minor roads. It partly follows theGR®655(Way of St James). A pleasant walk thanks to its varied, sometimes undulating route, which nevertheless has a minimal elevation gain.
Circular route from La Lambertière and La Braudière
A lovely walk starting from Saint-Vincent-la-Châtre, alternating between footpaths and a few sections along minor roads. Ideal for an easy walk after a very wet spell: the route is a variation on another circular route, avoiding the wettest sections.
Beautiful and varied scenery throughout the route.
A circular loop that can be done in all weathers.
Saint-Vincent-La-Châtre Circular Route
An easy route over almost flat terrain along grassy paths lined with hedges. The scenery is very varied and mostly away from built-up areas, making for a very pleasant walk.
Circular walk from Saint-Romans-lès-Melle to Négressauve and Mortefond
A pleasant walk on the Mellois plateau, starting from the beautiful Romanesque church of Saint-Romans-lès-Melle. The route takes in varied landscapes, passing through Négressauve and Mortefond and following lovely farm tracks. One section runs along a quiet country lane. This walk also takes you along a narrow alleyway in Négressauve.
The Métairie aux Moines circular route, starting from Melle
A pleasant walk, with plenty of shade, along varied paths and small tarmac roads.
(9) Possible alternative route to significantly reduce the distance
The countryside around Paizay-le-Chapt and the Bois de la Griffière
A pleasant walk offering a variety of scenery around Paizay-le-Chapt. This route offers beautiful views of the countryside as you approach the Forest of Aulnay further south, the lovely Bois de la Griffière, the hamlet of Les Rompis – a remnant of 15th-century land clearing – the Chemin de la Rochelle, which follows the route of an ancient major thoroughfare, and the Puits de Pouffond.
Passing through Negressauve and Le Luc de Verrines
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.
The Saint-Coutant and Greenwich meridian circular loop
A walk offering varied scenery. It starts from Saint-Coutant, a village situated on the edge of the Melle plateau. It crosses the route of a Roman road and passes directly over the Greenwich meridian.
The Two Fountains Route
A lovely walk through varied terrain, passing two springs, the Fontaine du Triangle and the Fontaine de l’Anguillière, and close to the source of the Sèvre Niortaise. This route follows mainly farm tracks with a few sections on minor roads. The landscape is pleasant and varied.
Bois d'Enfiré and Fontaine de la Belle
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.
The Woods of Celles-sur-Belle
This walk takes you on a route through the Bois de Celles. The route allows you to discover varied landscapes of woodland and farmland, as well as traditional local architecture as you pass through the hamlet of La Garzelle.