Let Mélusine be your guide as you walk along the quiet banks of the Sèvre Niortaise to the Château du Coudray-Salbart past old hamlets and ancient dwellings with imposing dovecotes. 

Access:  8 km north of Niort

Leave from:  The Marais rest area

Distance:  12 km

Length:  3 hours

Marking:  Yellow

On this route, you will discover:

·      The town of Échiré; leisure grounds, church, creamery

·      The château of la Taillée and its dovecote

·      The arid valley of the Maie and the Braye fountain

·      The Château du Coudray-Salbart

·      The washbasins of Salbart and Moulin Neuf

·      The Milan farm, Château-Gaillard and its dovecote

·      The banks of the Sèvre Niortaise river

Legend has it that the fairy Mélusine built the Château du Coudray-Salbart in three nights with stones he carried in his apron.  The location for this powerful and unique 18th century fortress, directly facing Niort, was chosen by the lords of Parthenay.   With its six impressive towers (up to 6.2 m thick) and unusual corridor behind the outer wall, the château is a splendid example of medieval military architecture, although never actually saw military action.  For visits, call 0549 25 71 07.

2 km alternative (1 hour) around Coudray-Salbart.

Parking is available at the château; follow the road to Échiré.  At the bridge over the Sèvre, turn left on the counterscarp path (outside slope of the moat).  The slope leads to the “Peu.”  Continue on the signposted loop which leads back to the château.  

Échiré (Eschiré in 1218) borrowed its name from Scauriacum, the preserve of the gallo-roman Scarius.  Many Merovingian ruins and sarcophagi bear witness to this ancient presence.

A 19th century church overlooks the old, renowned creamery which produces butter  enjoyed at Europe’s grandest tables.

Start your route from the rest area; take the Chemin du Marais to the main road.  

After crossing two bridges on the Sèvre, you can take a small path (500 m there and back) to see the Château de la Taillée and its two defensive dovecotes up close.

The Château du Taillée, built in 1566 by the Gascougnolles, is not open to visitors. 

The dovecotes, classified historical monuments, are composed of a stone roof and small windows at the top and culverin holes at the bottom for defensive purposes. 

At the Androlet hill, follow the narrow road that circles around the Château du Coudray-Salbart passing under the D 743. At the first crossing, the route leaves the road and turns toward the Peu.  The curve on the banks unveils a view over the Sèvre valley. 

Cross the hamlet, then turn right following the white-red markings of the GR® 36; a pleasant path goes down the hillside to the arid valley of the Maie. 

At the bottom, at the confluence with another valley, the Braye fountain, dating to 1875, reminds us of the importance of water during its era.  Bypass the fountain; a few meters further a path climbs to Ternanteuil. 

A 2 km variante of the route follows the GR®36 to the right over a path lined with dry stone walls before diving into the Maie Valley. After folloiwng a stream with water levels that vary according to the season, the path crosses the bottom of the  wild valley and then climbs sharply up the hillside. When the path exits on the big stone road, pass the GR®36  on your right which crosses the highway to return to Ternanteuil.  

Passing the GR®36 on your right, follow a loop in the village to discover a 19th century logis.  Follow the rue de la Fontaine Braye then cross a turnstile and go down a grassy hill to take in the beautiful view of the Sèvre valley and the Château du Coudray-Salbart. 

At the foot of the castle, follow the right bank of the Sèvre in the direction of Mauzay, passing in front of the Salbart washhouse and picnic area on the edge of Sèvre.  As the path approaches the many tributaries of the Sèvre, you can see signs of fords which are still sometimes used by farmers.

After crossing the Sèvre via the bridges of the Moreau ford, the return route takes you along the opposite bank toward the Moulin Neuf and its wash-house. Further ahead, the path, common with GR®36, offers a view of the Coudray-Salbart. 

Turn right and continue past the Milan farmhouse, built on the location of a gallo-roman villa called "Villa Milon", given by Clovis in 567 to the monks of

Saint-Maixent and at the origin of the first fortress of Coudray. 

Facing the Château-Gaillard (Logis from 1850), turn onto the path that goes down and passes in front of an 18thcentury dovecote (1720). The path then follows the Sèvre back to the playground.