Varaize lies in a small valley hollow through which the Nie flows. The Nie is a tributary of the Boutonne; the Circuit Les bois – PR 39 circular trail offers views over the Boutonne Valley. Alongside the landscape, the focus is on a signposted route, the Church of Saint-Germain, and historic architectural details. When planning your trip, you can explore different aspects of the area: routes and scenery on the one hand, and buildings and their distinctive features on the other.
Routes with different highlights
The Route des Cardinaux is an equestrian route that leads to Varaize, where the Church of Saint-Germain stands. It can also be used on foot or by bicycle and is signposted for horse riders, walkers, and cyclists. This names three user groups for whom the route is marked; its use on foot or by bicycle is also explicitly provided for.
The Circuit Les bois – PR 39 circular trail is described differently. It passes through oak woods, the Bois des Sablaux, vineyards and cultivated land, as well as the Bois des Fossés. The view over the Boutonne Valley adds a wide panorama to this sequence of landscapes. The circular trail is open year-round. For specific planning, it is advisable to check current information about opening, signposting, and route conditions, as details and conditions may change.
The two routes can be considered according to different criteria: for the Route des Cardinaux, the focus is on the signposted user groups and their destination, Varaize. For the Circuit Les bois – PR 39, it is the circular route, the varied landscapes, and the valley view. If you would rather choose based on how you plan to use a route or on the character of the landscape, these descriptions provide specific differences to help you decide.
Church and historic architectural details
The Church of Saint-Germain is associated with the Route des Cardinaux, which leads to Varaize. Its apses feature finely crafted modillions. Architecture enthusiasts can focus on this specific detail: the apses and their modillions give the church a distinctive feature that differs from the scenic impressions along the routes.
Another historic building is the Moulin des Godets. It has been in existence since the 18th century and was used mainly for grinding wheat. Its date and former function are two different aspects of its history: the mill has existed for several centuries, and its main stated purpose was grinding wheat. Together with the church, it offers different ways to explore Varaize: here, a mill’s grinding function; there, an elaborate architectural detail.
A dovecote is another distinctive architectural feature. It stands in the garden of the former farm colloquially called “Château.” The square dovecote has a slate roof and ridge ornaments in the shape of chickens. Here, “Château” refers to the former farm, not a castle. Its shape, roof, and ornaments give the dovecote its own character; its location in the garden also makes clear that the building belongs to this former farm.
When making your selection, you can consider the landscape and architectural themes separately: the Circuit Les bois – PR 39 is characterized by its sequence of landscapes and views over the Boutonne Valley; the church, mill, and dovecote each offer their own architectural or historical points of interest. Varaize thus provides specific starting points for different interests, without requiring them to be combined into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-De-Liversay, Sainte-Gemme, Semussac, Loulay, St-Pierre De Pérignac, Saint-Crépin, Rouffignac, Bourcefranc-Le-Chapus.
For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.
