During this walk, you will discover:

·      The church of Saint-Pierre, the playground and rest areas of Vouhé

·      The 100-year-old houses of the Petit Chevreau

·      A magnificent oak tree

·      The sunken paths of the Orère and the Baraudière

·      Beautiful views

·      The freshwater spring of the Creuse

·      The crossings of the Bertolière and Gratteloup

·      Orchards

The commune of Vouhé is made up of many small villages and has preserved its rural character and wooded landscapes.   In spite of its high altitude, the commune is nearly entirely bordered by streams (20 km of a total of 25km).  The town  

has the second-highest altitude in the department and sits above three river basins:  the Viette leading toward the Thouet, the Vonne leading toward the Clain, and the Chambon leading toward the Sèvre Niortaise.

The route heads toward the church of Saint-Pierre (and its playground and rest area) in the direction of Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay.  

At the end of the 19th century, the Ernest Giraud abbey decided to build a new church in a more central location, in spite of several clashes with the municipality.  The old sanctuary in Vieux Vouhé was demolished in 1902 and ever since the town has been situated at Grand Chevreau.

Follow the D22 for 150 m and turn right toward the Tuilerie and the hamlet of Petit Chevreau where you will see houses that are hundreds of years old.

After 100 metres on the D131, the route turns right and follows the path of the Ajonneaux which leads to the “5 roads” crossing.  The route turns left and follows a shaded path.  In 20m, pass the path of la Salictière and a magnificent oak tree on your left.  Turn right on the GR364 (signposted white-red) leading toward Verruyes and Menigoute.  

At the end of the trail turn left on the narrow road and then take the first grassy path on the right.

The route follows a sunken path behind the houses of the village of Orère.  Carry on downward until you reach a bridge over the stream separating the communes of Vouhé and Verruyes.  At the exit from the road, continue on the road.   Leave the GR which turns left on the first road.  The path, signposted now in yellow, passes the Ecarlatières where Parthenay cattle are reared with a view of the countryside and carries on up to the D122.  

The D122 follows a ridge that marks the arrival of the route in the Viette basin and offers a view of the village of Saint-Pardoux.  Follow the road to the left and then turn right on a shady trail leading to the Petite Vergne.

!  Be careful as you cross the D22 as visibility on the road is obstructed.  !

Continue along the path on the opposite side of the road and follow the sunken path on the right after 120 metres.  On your way to the village of La Baraudière you will pass the freshwater spring of la Creuse bursting from the stump of a tree. 

You will pass the house where the actor Daniel Gelin’s grandparents were bord before climbing to the junction of the Croix de la Bertolière.

The route rejoins the GR 364 which comes from Saint-Pardoux.  Follow the white-red signposts to the right on a stony path.  Cross the ancient village of the artisans of Gratteloup and turn right toward the Bevinière.

The first road to the left meets the crossing of the “5 roads.”  On the right the grassy trail crosses orchards leading to “La Cabane” restaurant and the village.