Hills, riverbanks and heritage

The priory of Manot stands on a hill above the Vienne Valley. The Moulin de la Gouterie is on the left bank of the Vienne. These two places anchor the area’s heritage in different parts of the landscape: the priory above the valley, the mill on the riverbank. Only the remains of the mill survive; it was in operation until the First World War. The mill thus links a specific riverside location with its history of use.

Trails with different focuses

The Sentier de la Chapelle du Couret starts in Manot and passes through the heritage of the Vienne Valley. It is suitable for hiking, Nordic walking, running and mountain biking. You can choose how to get around while keeping the same connection to the valley’s heritage. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Sentier du Moulin de la Gouterie starts on Rue du Village de Vacances and leads to the holiday village. Check the route and access details again before setting out. The difference can help you choose: the Chapelle trail starts in Manot and passes through the heritage of the Vienne Valley; the Moulin trail has a specifically named street as its starting point and a named destination. If you would like to plan your outing around a destination, this trail leads to the holiday village.

The heritage here is evident on two scales: the priory and the mill are individual sites, each with a specific position in the landscape; the Sentier de la Chapelle du Couret passes through the heritage of the Vienne Valley. You can choose between individual historical landmarks and a route focused on heritage.

On the Vienne and along the route

The canoe and kayak route from Manot to Confolens follows the Vienne and takes three hours. With a starting point, destination and duration, you can plan the activity as a three-hour block. Seasonal availability and operating arrangements may change, so check the conditions for your chosen date in advance. You should also check river conditions before setting off.

Along the main channel of the Vienne, you can observe mills as well as wildlife and plants on the riverbanks. The Vienne thus features in two different ways: as the waterway for the canoe route and as a landscape for riverside observation.

The Vélo rail Charente Limousine uses a 17 km-long railway line; departures are listed from Confolens/Manot and from Roumazières/Manot. Check the departure arrangements again before your trip. The figures measure different things: 17 km is the length of the railway line used by the Vélo rail, while three hours is the duration of the canoe route. Use the distance to gauge the railway route and the time as a guide when planning your canoe trip.

Discover more destinations: Nercillac, Angeac-Champagne, Saint-Angeau, La Couronne, Pillac, Marcillac-Lanville, Cognac, Massignac

Go to the main travel overview: Charente.