Exploring Vivonne, Vienne, Poitou-Charentes

Departure : Church of Voulon On this walk, no less than three rivers will accompany you throughout the 20 km of the route. Indeed, you will follow in part the valleys marked out by the mills of the Dive and the Bouleure, which join the Clain in the commune of Voulon. Along this path, you will be able to contemplate architectural buildings such as the church of Voulon, the mill of Guron, the fountain-washhouse of Fontou, the old footbridge as well as the chapel of Voulon and its fountain. And why not offer you a moment of relaxation at the leisure center of the Iles de Payré.

Departure : Village of Anché The river Clain has dug its bed in the granite and limestone forming here and there some kind of big steps. Take these natural steps which could have been the legend of Rabelais' giants. On the road, discover two very beautiful castles, the castle of Anché and the castle of Cèdre, both dating from the 19th century. As you drive along the town of Champagné Saint-Hilaire, you may catch a glimpse of the magnificent racehorses for which the Saint-Hilaire stud farm is famous. Stop at the Espace naturel des Trois Fontaines with its picnic areas and numerous leisure activities.

Following the GR364 from Lusignan to Poitiers, you'll discover a landscape of gentle valleys, criss-crossed by meandering streams and sometimes gorges, islands and ponds. The villages along the way combine these natural qualities with a rich architectural heritage of mansions, castles, churches and abbeys. Poitiers is well worth a visit, particularly for its cathedral. This route is proposed by the Comité Régional de Randonnée Pédestre. Departing from a train station or TER bus stop, it allows you to join a walking or hiking itinerary and take a stroll in ecomobility!

Following the GR655 from Lusignan to Poitiers, you'll discover a landscape of gentle valleys, criss-crossed by meandering streams and sometimes gorges, islands and ponds. The villages you pass through combine these natural riches with a rich architectural heritage of mansions, castles, churches and abbeys. Poitiers is well worth a visit, especially its cathedral. This route is proposed by the Comité Régional de Randonnée Pédestre. Departing from a train station or TER bus stop, it allows you to join a walking or hiking itinerary and take a stroll in ecomobility!

This circuit owes its name to a historical or legendary fact. The villages crossed are made up of vast expanses of fields. Woods and groves crown the hills while the Dive and the Bouleure meander in the hollow of small valleys providing a soft freshness.

This multi-hike circuit takes its name from the two rivers it runs alongside.

This circuit takes its name from the territories it follows, it offers two completely different landscapes: one closed (the heath) and the other open (the plains).

The right bank of the Clouère was lined with castles and mills, most of which did not survive the changes of the late 19th century.

This route will lead you to the discovery of an old Cisterian abbey of the XIIIth century as well as the hillsides of the Dive, overhung by the Château St-Martin.

This circuit crosses contrasting landscapes: the valley of Clouère with the meadows of river and the mills, the plain with the cereal cultures, then a dry valley bushy, the lands of brandes where we find the gorse and the big heathers.

Le Moulin de Bois Coutant has 3 beautiful guest rooms accessible via a private entrance. The Bird Room is for 2 people, with a 160cm bed and private bathroom. The Pivoines room is for 2 people, with a 160cm bed and private bathroom. The Suite du côté du Clain is for 4 people, with a 160cm bed + 2 single beds, and private bathroom and toilet facilities. Homemade breakfasts and table d'hôtes (by reservation). You can enjoy the billiard room, swimming pool and spa on site.

Tourists, truck drivers, craftsmen, shopkeepers... all types of clientele are welcome at this hotel-restaurant ideally located 600m from the N10. The place is warm and friendly.

Electric all-terrain scooters give you sensations you've never felt before! On a 2-wheeled scooter that's ultra-safe and easy to handle, you'll get out into the great outdoors and onto trails you've never dared venture onto before. The goal? Only pleasure... ! But that's not all. In orienteering mode, the whole family will have a role to play in finding the markers and answering the questions on them. And what if your family were the best?

An escape game in downtown Poitiers! One hour, one team, one mission! After years of research, our agents are on the trail of the famous treasure of Eleanor of Aquitaine! The Palace she had built houses the former apartments of the Queen of the Two Crowns and, above all, the secret of her treasure. Set off in search of it, but be careful not to attract attention? In teams of 3 to 6 people, you'll have 1 hour and not a minute more to complete your mission.

The 25 M2 apartment is ideally located in the city's hyper-center. It features a large, bright room with a kitchenette and dining table, a sleeping area with a double bed and a lounge area for relaxing in front of the TV, or reading... Although it's a city-center apartment, it also has a very nice perk, a 20M2 private terrace with garden table and chairs. View of the Conservatoire, the Clain valley, a privileged moment. Accommodation: The accommodation is a studio including sleeping area with a real 140 x 190 bed, kitchen area with a 2-burner hob, fridge, microwave and all equipment. A large bathroom with a 120 x 80 shower. And, a private terrace of 20 M2, equipped with table and chairs, sheltered from bad weather. It is classified "meublé de tourisme 3 étoiles"

The church of Saint-Georges de Vivonne has been classified as a historical monument since 1912. The oldest elements date from the 12th and 12th centuries. In the Angevin Gothic style, it has a homogeneous architecture and represents the only church in this architectural form between the Mellois and the Montmorillonnais.

At PILOCHOU we have been processing goat's milk in a traditional way since 1981. After preparation and maturing, the raw milk cheeses are sold locally in markets, restaurants and shops. The sale at the farm is possible from Tuesday to Saturday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm, you will have a wide choice between fresh cheeses, Mothais on sheet, buchettes, crottins, squares and ashy cheeses. A guided tour is possible by appointment.

Written evidence suggests that Baptresse church dates back to Carolingian times. It was the successor to a Gallo-Roman temple. In 1835, a Gallo-Roman altar featuring four gods - Mars, Vulcan, Hercules and Mercury - was discovered in front of the church, and has since been deposited in the Poitiers museum. In the primitive cemetery behind the church, a small but interesting monument, a hosannière cross, can be seen. This charming little church is now used as an exhibition space.

The cemetery, on the same site since the Middle Ages, has in its center a Lantern of the Dead which dates from the 13th century. It measures 8m50 and is one of the rare testimonies of funeral practices in the Middle Ages (only 33 lanterns in France).

Located south of Poitiers, Château-Larcher is known for its medieval charm. The heart of the town has changed little since the Middle Ages. It is situated on a rocky promontory, on which stand the castral site erected by the Lusigan family and its fortified Romanesque church. To the south is a plain occupied by a lake used for fishing, with a playground and motorhome area. And to the north lies a plateau that was once home to dozens of dolmens and tumuli, of which a few remains remain. The commune is appreciated for its remarkable heritage, hiking, fishing and events.

On the plateau of Arlait, near the hamlet of Thorus, 3 dolmens are still visible, testimonies of a vast necropolis, built around 4500 years BC.

Former chapel of the 12th century castle, opening directly onto the old surrounding wall. A flight of steps leads to the portal with its rich sculpted decoration.

On the road to Thorus, a path will lead you to the Moulin Robin. It is fed by a canal-bief. This building is made up of 4 workshops (oil and flour production, carpentry and a forge with a cartwheel) driven only by the paddle wheel. All the machines and tools are still there in their original context.

At the foot of the remains of the medieval Château-Larcher castle, the Val de Clouère lake (2nd category) covers 2.2 hectares. Open from the 2nd Saturday in March to the last Sunday in November inclusive. Fishing permit required. A federally-designated "Family Course" and shared fishing area.

Bar restaurant pizzeria. Lunch menu starter + main course + dessert 15?50 Main course + starter or dessert 13? Dish of the day 10?50

Hotel ***, Citôtel, Logis Hôtel Essentiel - Restaurant de Terroir Vivonne, a small dynamic town of 3000 inhabitants, is a peaceful Poitevin village cradled by the calm waters of three rivers: the Palais, the Vonne and the Clain. On the Grand'Rue that leads to the center of Vivonne, a two century old house, renovated with character, invites you to savor the joys and pleasures of life in Poitou. A former post house located near the church. Elegant decor and refined comfort. 30 rooms all equipped, terrace, bar, lounge by the fire. Two restaurants, one with traditional cuisine and the other with a bistro formula. Three rooms for your seminars and receptions.

Meublé de tourisme for two people.

Bed and breakfast for 8 people.

Service area on the market square, a stone's throw from the shops. Another is available at the Trois Rivières campsite, 100 m away, open from April to October.

The shaded motorhome parking area is located on the Place du Champ de Foire, close to shops and services. There's another service area nearby, next to the Tourist Information Office. And during the summer, an additional motorhome service area is available at Camping des Trois Rivières, located on the waterfront 100 meters from the square. Classified as a "Village Etape", Vivonne is a paradise for fishermen and water sports enthusiasts.

Françoise welcomes you to her gîte in Saint Aubin, easily accessible, close to the town center and Aldi supermarket, 100m from the Vounant park, with its 2 rivers, children's playground, canoe/kayak base, water park open in July and August, water jump, gliss up open in July and August, 1km from the train station. Single-storey house with large living room (dining/living room), fitted kitchen, bedroom with double bed (140cm), second bedroom with double bed (160cm), bathroom, separate WC and wooded grounds with garden furniture.

The Gîte du Moulin is located on the Bois Coutant estate near the owners and their guest rooms. It has a living room, an equipped kitchen and upstairs 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. You have access to the swimming pool and the spa shared with the other tenants.

Le Moulin de Bois Coutant has 3 beautiful guest rooms accessible via a private entrance. The Bird Room is for 2 people, with a 160cm bed and private bathroom. The Pivoines room is for 2 people, with a 160cm bed and private bathroom. The Suite du côté du Clain is for 4 people, with a 160cm bed + 2 single beds, and private bathroom and toilet facilities. Homemade breakfasts and table d'hôtes (by reservation). You can enjoy the billiard room, swimming pool and spa on site.

Warm house in a small quiet village at 20 minutes from Poitiers. Quiet house for 4 to 6 persons with a fully equipped kitchen, a large living room with a sofa bed, two bedrooms.

3 guest rooms for two persons with private bathroom installed in the outbuildings of an old mill. Charming flowered domain with a terrace overlooking the river, ideal place for breakfasts in summer.