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This is probably one of the most hilly circuits in the region. You'll encounter the cereal plains, waterways and picturesque villages of the South Charente. Keep your pedal to the metal! The experience may prove to be more difficult than expected...
Start out from Yviers on the winding dirt roads of this route. At this point, you will have to follow a small stream called the Argentonne, and head south to touch the border of the Charente-Maritime.
Continue on your way and you have arrived in Médillac! This charming little village, located a few miles from the Tude, has a magnificent 12th century Romanesque church. Its particularity lies in the colour of its stained glass windows. They have been redone using 12th century methods and materials. This is why you will find stained glass windows without colours, white on white, with simple assemblies of medallions, plant symbols and crosses.
The second half of the tour is a bit tricky! This is clearly not the easiest part. Once you have left Médillac, head towards the Tude and walk along the river. You will come across a succession of false flats and climbs to finally reach the heights of the Montmorélien and arrive at Yviers. Note that on this part of the circuit, you will cross the Vallée de la Tude, a Natura 2000 classified site which is a natural environment for many animal and plant species. Don't forget to look around from time to time!
In a family atmosphere, in the heart of the Charente countryside, outside the regulated areas and their constraints, come and enjoy the moments of a discovery flight or an initiation flight.
Come and discover new sensations and why not start a training course at the flying school, but you can also come and discover your region from the sky, the Gironde estuary, Cordouan, the Arcachon basin, the Dordogne valley, your village and your house from above and many others... Come and live your desires, your dreams, the pleasure of offering.
Le Boisdalon, an oasis of peace and relaxation in one of France's most beautiful regions. The Boisdalon B&B offers you the opportunity to stay in a house with the charm of yesteryear, but with the luxury of today.
The house offers two separate bedrooms for up to 4 adults. There are 5.5 hectares of private grounds surrounding the house, with plenty of space available. It's the ideal place for a peaceful and very relaxing vacation. The ultimate retreat for readers or writers.
The Sunflower room has a king-size double bed and an en suite bathroom with private toilet. As soon as the shutters are opened in the morning, after a wonderfully silent night, the birds will come and brighten up your day.
Le Terrier offers two single beds with a window overlooking the front garden, is located on the 1st floor of the house and has a single bathroom.
Upon reservation, Le Boisdalon offers a table d'hôtes service. Lise will prepare a gourmet meal for you.
You will be moving through beautiful landscapes on a mineral ground whose beginning is deceptive, a bit steep. You will walk along a lake surrounded by a superb monotrack before climbing severely.
This stage bypasses the village of Chalais and its beautiful renovated castle, acquired by the imitator Yves Lecocq. If you feel like it, make a diversion to come and discover it with your own eyes. The guides of the association for the preservation of the Pays de Chalais will tell you many anecdotes about it... And believe us, some will surprise you!
Les Essards, this small village perched on its hill, will transport you through its historical heritage and its legends.
In the village you will discover the Saint-Nicolas church, of Romanesque style which was built on a plan in the shape of a Latin cross in the 12th century. It has two bell towers. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, three chapels were added to the initial construction. This very pleasant and peaceful route goes through forests and hilly meadows.
Take the time to make a small detour to the healing fountain and its small chapel, located near the Beuronne, the legend tells that its water cured a wounded soldier, it was a place of pilgrimage every August 15 until the 1970s.
On the way you will have a magnificent view of the imposing and fabulous castle of La Faye which belonged to the Joubert family at the end of the 18th century and to the de Plas family at the beginning of the 20th century. You will also have the chance to meet deer which like to walk in the meadows around...
Tastefully restored former mill on four levels with a terrace and spa offering a remarkable panoramic view.
In the south of Charente-Maritime, the Haute-Saintonge offers you the opportunity to discover nature in the midst of varied landscapes: valleys and cultivated hillsides as well as wooded hills, the starting point of hiking trails where bicycles are available, not far from the spa town of Jonzac and Mysterra, the 7 labyrinths park in Montendre.
In the surrounding area, there are many ideas for visits from Royan to Bordeaux or from the Gironde estuary to the Périgord.
In order to access the mill from the car park, we can provide you with a golf cart.
Les Essards, nice little village perch on his hill, from his lanscapes diversity will take you back out of the charentaise loundary.
Les Essards, nice little village perch on his hill, from his lanscapes diversity will take you back out of the charentaise loundary.
The church of Saint-Quentin, which stands on a hill overlooking the village, is one of the most beautiful churches in Saintonge. Built in the 12th century, its architectural style is Romanesque. It was then fortified towards the end of the Middle Ages.
A parapet walk, a guard room, a bretèche and a keep bell tower were added. Gothic buttresses also appeared at this time on the flanks. These additions were probably made after the Hundred Years' War.
Today, only the central part of the church is original. The monument had two bells. One of them was melted down during the Revolution to make cannons.
Inside, a 17th century tabernacle in carved and painted wood, representing the Crucifixion, has been listed as a "Monument Historique" since 2002. The church itself was listed in 1913.
Independent single-storey gîte surrounded by large private enclosed grounds, in a hamlet in the South Charente.
Living room with kitchen, three bedrooms each with 1 double bed, two bedrooms each with 2 single beds, 2 shower rooms, 2 separate toilets. Hi-fi system, DVD player, billiards table. Terrace, courtyard and enclosed garden, 4 ha land with pond, semi-buried wooden structure swimming pool (5.50 m x 6.50 m, protected by an alarm and a fence), all reserved for the gîte.
Head to the picnic area of Saint-Quentin-de-Chalais to rediscover the simple pleasure of lunching on the grass. This beautiful green space is a must for the whole family.
Children can venture out to the playground provided for them. This includes a slide, a swing and a turnstile. A table is also available under the awning of the village hall.
A few meters away, on a hill overlooking the village, you can admire the Saint-Quentin church while enjoying your sandwich
This is the domain of the blue waters. To get there, you'll have to cross a succession of ascents and descents. Don't forget to bring your binoculars and cameras... There are not only humans on this territory...
Take a walk around the paths of the ponds of Guizengeard and Touvérac and get ready to have your breath taken away! These landscapes are not the result of a long process initiated by nature. They have actually been shaped by the hand of man.
These watering holes were once clay quarries (kaolin to be exact). Over time, the extraction of these deposits was reduced and nature took over. In contact with certain geological layers, the water has become acidic and nothing develops there. This is what gives it its special colour.
There are many paths and beautiful landscapes on this stretch. Hikers and nature lovers will be delighted!
Here are a few tips for walking the marked trails.
- Please respect these unspoilt areas, as many species of migratory birds nest here.
- Do not leave the marked paths.
- Keep a low profile as you pass.
Mairie 5 Route la poussonne 16480 Saint vallier open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m.
Enjoy and relax a rural retreat in a traditional Charentais Farm House srrounded by vineyards ans wooden valleys.
A warm welcom, cosy accomodation, fantastic fresh food and extensive groungs await you.Make firends with Hannah the donkey, Hopy the horse ans Star the terrier, or sit by the pool enjoying birdsong in the orchard. Run by an amateur artist and former primary school teacher, this bed and breakfast is perfect for families and creative retreats.
Treasure hunt of modern times, geocaching is a free and family leisure activity! Distance: 4 km Cache theme: Animals Discover Guizengeard and its ancient clay quarries and try to find the cache to collect Zahan.
Equipped with your smartphone with the application "Terra Aventura" or a GPS, you must solve the puzzles along your journey that will allow you to find the treasure.
Swimming section, which runs the Montmoreau and Chalais water sports club.
Club for people who already know how to swim (children and adults) and who want to improve their swimming skills. Training provided by a lifeguard.
Take advantage of the Olympian calm of the Safari Parc de Haute Saintonge to recharge your batteries.
You will be welcomed at the Relais du Buissonnet, an old Charentais farmhouse that has been renovated into a house of character in the middle of the animal park.
Each room is decorated with a different theme, all linked to nature.
Breakfast is available at an additional cost.
The Chalais swimming pool has two pools, one for children and the other equipped with a diving pit and three diving boards. All summer long, swimming lessons are held at the pool. Introductory scuba diving courses are offered once a month in July and August.