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Discovering the secret Pays Loudunais
Would you like me to share my secret spots in the Pays Loudunais with you? Arthus and I have tried them out, and frankly, we’ve unearthed some nuggets that are well worth the diversions. Here, you can forget about the superfluous and concentrate on the real thing: you’ll fall in love with PL’S as soon as you venture off the beaten track.
The Pays Loudunais is full of little-known treasures and unusual places that can only be found here. It’s this confidential side that really appealed to us. We discovered hidden treasures, like little churches nestling in the valleys. To be alone in front of a preserved monument is to experience a special moment.
The raw freshness of troglodytes
As soon as we arrived, we were captivated by the troglodyte dwellings that dot the landscape. This is the clever side of the region: man has tamed the tufa rock to create natural refuges. Arthus loved the immediate feeling of coolness when he entered these spaces carved out of the stone. A real blessing in the middle of summer!
- A little extra: Don’t miss a visit to a craftsman’s workshop, such as that run byAnne Rémy and Francis Clamagirand in Ternay, to discover stoneware creations inspired by the past. It’s a great way to see how this heritage lives on today.
Sumptuousness and mystery with the tour of the châteaux
If you’re a history buff, you can’t miss out on the area’s castral heritage . But be warned, we’re not visiting static museums here! We first fell in love with the Château de la Roche-Martel, in Roiffé. Perched on its promontory, it is a majestic place that has kept all its soul. Admiring its medieval castle and its wooden courtyard, we really had the impression that we were the only ones in the world to share this secret of the Loudunais region.
For a totally different and more sensational experience, we headed to the Château de Monts sur Guesnes. There, we forgot the paper guides: we were plunged into the epic ofEleanor of Aquitaine thanks to some amazing immersive rooms. Arthus even tried his hand at shooting medieval weapons outdoors. It’s the ideal place to experience history to the full, whether you’re a great fan of old stones or just curious to discover the past in a living way.
La Dive offers a great waterside playground
For a 100% nature break, head for the banks of the Dive, an enchanting and little-known river. We tried out part of the Sente Divine, an exceptional network of 50km of footpaths where you can put together your own itinerary, either on foot or by bike. It’s the ideal place to switch off and savour the authentic heritage dotted along the banks.
For lovers of slow tourism, the river can also be explored along its course. If you fancy a change of pace, don’t hesitate to hire a kayak to observe the local wildlife from a unique vantage point. And if you’re looking for the perfect spot for a picnic break, sit down near one of the many fishing spots: you’ll appreciate the calm and the light, especially at the end of the day. It’s a true immersion in the wilderness, far from the hustle and bustle, that awaits you along this peaceful waterway.
Tèrra Aventura unveils the secret Loudunais region
When you come with the kids, Mathurin and his best friend Antoine, it’s the perfect opportunity to turn the walk into a real adventure. For us, it’s the perfect way to unearth the secrets of the Pays Loudunais.
This free giant treasure hunt takes us on a sensational journey across the whole region. Mathurin and Antoine have become real addicts: they love solving the riddles and finding the hidden clues to collect the famous Poï’z, the little collectible characters that make the adventure totally addictive. It’s a fun, ultra-accessible concept, which has established itself as the best way to motivate the whole tribe to explore our heritage while having fun, without even realising how far they’ve travelled.
That’s what the secret Pays Loudunaisis all about: an accessible destination that you can experience with your heart, your eyes and your good shoes.
