Unique exploration at Saint-georges-sur-layon, Pays de la Loire

Follow the purple arrows and discover the vineyards and villages between the Thouet and Argenton rivers!

The Thouet Valley is discovered at the rate of cycling thanks to a marked route on small roads and farm tracks or bike paths. Affluent of the Loire, the Thouet is a discreet river which hides many treasures. Along its 150 km, it meanders through varied landscapes and authentic villages. This bike route is accompanied by loops that complete the discovery of Thouarsais, vineyards to the plains. More information on www.valleeduthouet.fr Le Thouet by bike is one of the sections of the Vélo Francette, a route linking Normandy to the Charente coast, via the Thouarsais. www.lavelofrancette.com So do not hesitate to ride your bike for unexpected and preserved discoveries! New: order online your picnic prepared by local restaurateurs with local products !!! All information on www.lebonpicnic.com

Dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle, Argenton les Vallees has the quiet charm of rural villages. Its rich heritage is discovered during a trip that also allows to admire the landscapes.

Discover the Argenton Valley through its picturesque landscapes. Come and stroll through remarkable natural spaces and discover the historical built heritage at the bend of the road. Departures : Argenton Les Vallées, place Léopold Bergeon or Massais, place de l'église

Discover Argenton, in the footsteps of Uncle George... A land of daring and adventure, the Argenton Valley abounds in magical places that bear witness to a rich and complex history. By following step by step the clues scattered throughout the town, discover the life of Uncle Georges, an emblematic character of the commune of Argenton les Vallées and let yourself be told the story of a man and a town of character... Discovery booklet available at the Tourist Office of Bressuire et Mauléon, and at the Maison des services in Argenton les Vallées.

Walk around the Deux-Sèvres Tramway A 1.6 km walk allows everyone, tourists and inhabitants alike, to relive the Tramway des Deux-Sèvres (TDS) in its preserved space through an exhibition of 16 large paintings in the open air. This research work of the 3A thus exposed makes relive this industrial parenthesis which functioned from 1898 to 1939. The line linked Bressuire to Montreuil-Bellay, 62 km apart, passing through many towns including the Argenton station. Other panels (15) around the cemetery show the local life from old postcards unpublished. Tramway line built between 1892 and 1898. 62 km long, it linked Bressuire to Montreuil Bellay with its station in Argenton-Château ... The TDS went through Argentonnay, passing through La Coudre, Le Breuil-sous-Argenton and Ulcot.

Discover the small villages Thouarsais between plain and hills and stop your eyes on the town of Tourtenay, unique village of Deux-Sèvres showing a troglodyte habitat!

This path will allow you to appreciate the remarkable troglodytic heritage of the picturesque villages where the troglos were dug in the local blacnhe stone, the tuffeau. It will lead you to the heart of the vineyards, where famous grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc or Pinot Blanc de Loire are grown.

A short, signposted route through the Poitou vineyards at the gateway to Anjou. Within a small area, the historic and built heritage is incomparably rich: picturesque villages, troglodytic sites, mills, dolmens, wash-houses and dovecotes form an uninterrupted string of secret nuggets.

On the borders of Poitou and Anjou, Saix offers visitors its Poitevin hamlet, marked by the memory of Sainte-Radegonde. This path allows views on castles or wine estates, with beautiful panoramas on the North of Poitou where the vine and the tuffeau are married.

wine-grower

Le Mystère des Faluns, is an artistic walk in wonderful underground galleries at "Les Perrieres"...and a journey throught the geological and human history of this site. Light projections on the rock, sound productions, meeting with the jellyfishes, a shark or a rhinoceros... Each scenes inspired by science, will help you to explore an important stage in the history of the Perrieres.

Come and follow the steps of the archeologists who discovered this unique, fascinating site carved rightout of the sea of shell beds. You will be surprised to find out how, through the ages, men have managed to reuse this subterraneanspace. T Come and follow the steps of the archeologists who discovered this unique, fascinating site carved rightout of the sea of shell beds. You will be surprised to find out how, through the ages, men have managed to reuse this subterraneanspace for the last 1500 years : stone quarry, underground shelter, Middle Ages dwellings, storage silos,troglodytic chapel, wine-producing site…This unique site in Europe, one among listed heritage sites, brings to light the astonishing roles of cavedwellings.

A unique site where hundreds of sculptures were carved on tuffeau stone, between the 15th and the 17th century. Still today, the cave remains a historical enigma. La Cave aux sculptures is a Historical Monument, inscribed in the national heritage of France by André Malraux in 1969.

Full tasting white wines, rosés and reds.

Domaine de Beauron grows vines in the municipality of Bouillé-Loretz, a few km from Thouars, city of art and history, on the border with Maine and Loire and its castles of the Loire. AOC Loire Valley wines (Anjou red, Anjou dry white, Anjou white fluffy, Cabernet d'Anjou, Rosé Loire), Saumur traditional method, white carbonated grape juice (bulk, bag in box, bottles) for sale every day in the cellar (by appointment, closed on Sundays and public holidays). Some products can be found in the shop of the Tourist Office of Pays Thouarsais

Anjou wines of all varieties; red, white, rosé and sparkling.

AOC Anjou Rouge, Rosé de Loire White Villages, Cremant de Loire and late harvest. Organisation of events (Markets peasant 1st weekend of October). For groups of 20 people maximum, proposed "snack" with wine tasting after the tour of the winery. Guided tours of the area for individuals and groups. The field is labeled France Passion. Closed on holidays. Pets are allowed.

This picnic area has a table with a bench, a playground, drinking water and public toilets 100m away on the church square. It is located near the village hall of BOUILLÉ-LORETZ.

Cellar tour followed by a tasting of the estate wines.