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Cycling path 1 : Abbey tour - 10.6 mi

in Échillais
14.8 km
55min
Easy
  • On the left bank of the Charente, crossing the marsh will offer you unexpected perspectives on the river frontages of Rochefort and Tonnay-Charente. Discover the childhood landscapes recounted in the stories of Pierre Loti and the developments of the Arsenal Maritime: pit with the masts of the Gardette, crossings of the Charente, canals. These landscapes shaped the writer's childhood stories.
  • Difference in height
    99.27 m
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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Points of interest
1 Montierneuf abbey
The site of Montierneuf contains the remains of a former priory. Particularly noteworthy is a dovecote, the interior of which contains 2959 bollards, each of which can accommodate a pair of pigeons.
Its tower is now a refuge for nocturnal birds of prey, in particular Athena's owl, a small protected owl in decline, which feeds on rodents in the neighbouring fields.
2 La Limoise and Pierre Loti
This house is typically Charentaise. It was once owned by Eugènie Duplais, a close friend of Nadine Viaud, mother of Julien Viaud alias Pierre Loti. Mme Duplais' daughter was eight years older than Julien and was another big sister to him. They were very fond of each other and spent many days playing on the property. Pierre Loti speaks of it as a paradise on earth.
3 Notre Dame church in Échillais
Built in the 12th century, it is one of the most famous Romanesque churches in Saintonge.
You can admire its richly decorated and sculpted portal which was restored in 2011. Among the remarkable decorations, the capital on the left of the portal representing the "Grand Goule", a legendary dragon, but also the modillions. Musicians, archery, jugglers and fabulous animals welcome you.
Equally remarkable is the elegant apse, the capitals of the three windows and the seigneurial chapels.
4 The Trizay lake and the Floral Park
Trizay Lake is an ideal place to stop. There is a children's playground, a shaded picnic area, an inn and a restaurant. The upper edge of the lake, on the north side, has been landscaped with gardens called "Jardins de Compostelle" which are open to the public in season.
5 Trizay abbey
99 meters of difference in height
  • Start altitude : 9 m
  • End altitude : 9 m
  • Maximum altitude : 17 m
  • Minimum altitude : 1 m
  • Total positive elevation : 99 m
  • Total negative elevation : -99 m
  • Max positive elevation : 9 m
  • Min positive elevation : -9 m