Tour of Navière island (Île de Chaillac)

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Discover an island in the middle of the Vienne River, offering a diversity of landscapes between meadows and woodlands, and an interesting heritage.
A connection to nature with explanatory signs along the way.

Details

n°3949151
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 164 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 158 m
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Photos

Path after the footbridge

Description of the walk

Start: Start is from the car park on the D941 (the main road between Saint-Junien and Étagnac). It is located close to the village of Roche and is well signposted.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the footbridge over the Vienne river. After the bridge, turn right. The loop can, of course, be taken the other way round. Follow the path along the river on one side and the meadows on the other. There are information boards all along the way.

(1) Along the way, reach Barrage de la Roche (Dam) offering a viewpoint and an information board. Then continue along the path through the woodlands to reach the end of the island.

(2) A detour to the tip of the island reveals the ruins of a pavilion used for leisure and the confluence between the two arms of the Vienne River. Then, take the path along the other side of the island. Walk through woodlands first, then meadows on the way back.

(3) Leave the path and turn right to discover the bucket wheel, known as a 'noria'. Then continue along the path, with a funeral chapel around the bend on the left. Continue to the footbridge, which you must use to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 162 m - Car park on the D941 - Bord de Vienne
  2. 1 : km 1.5 - alt. 159 m - Roche dam
  3. 2 : km 2.13 - alt. 158 m - End of the island
  4. 3 : km 4.42 - alt. 160 m - Wheel or noria
  5. S/E : km 5.2 - alt. 162 m - Car park on the D941 - Bord de Vienne

Notes

Start: Start is from the car park on the D941 (the main road between Saint-Junien and Étagnac). It is located close to the village of Roche and is well signposted.

Worth a visit

Nearby, visit Saint-Junien and Château Rochebrune (Castle) in Tagnac.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
caty.ha
caty.ha

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The two ends of the island are very interesting; however, as the ferns and other vegetation are not mown at this time of year, you can't see the river nearby; especially the north bank, which is very frustrating. We didn't meet a single person. The signs, sculptures and small buildings all seem to have been abandoned. There are no benches or litter bins in the car park. As things stand, it would be more encouraging to start on the left as you leave the footbridge.

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michel87
michel87

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice educational trail with information panels on the flora and fauna, produced by the LPO.
The Vienne was high enough for the Noria to work: interesting.
Lots of daffodils in bloom and a superb clandestine lathrea at the side of the path.
Carpet of snowdrops in the neighbouring woods.

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Nadia la Limougeaude
Nadia la Limougeaude
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello , We did this route on 1 April 2022. We only met 3 couples. This route is very pleasant and easy to do. You have to go to the end of the island where two arms of the river join. It's magnificent and relaxing.... only the birdsong disturbs the air. Thank you for this beautiful walk. See you soon for others. Sincerely Nadia

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dupanlou
dupanlou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice route, but very busy.

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chipie33290
chipie33290

with pleasure

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montblanc87
montblanc87

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short walking trail for a family outing, with the attraction of water and the remains of dwellings. Very pleasant.
I didn't know the island was called Île de Navière. Thanks for the information.

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