Rivières can be explored from different perspectives: the GR 36 crosses the town along the right bank of the Tardoire, while the Défi forestier en Braconne starts at the Gros Fayant forest house in Rivières. There is also the karst landscape of the Forêt de la Braconne, as well as the Église Saint-Cybard and the Manoir de Ribérolles. This offers a choice of distinct highlights: hiking, a digital smartphone experience, natural features and historic architecture.
Hiking between a route through town and a challenge course
The GR 36 is a hiking trail connecting the English Channel with the eastern Pyrenees. In Rivières, it runs along the right bank of the Tardoire. Here, the specific route through the town meets the wider connection between the two endpoints. Local trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out.
The Défi forestier en Braconne offers another way to focus on getting active. It starts at the Gros Fayant forest house in Rivières and covers a four-kilometre route with twelve challenges. This free smartphone experience is available year-round. Its challenge course, with its specific distances, is distinct from the GR 36, whose description covers its route through Rivières and the connection between the English Channel and the eastern Pyrenees. Check the app’s current availability before your visit.
Karst landscape and river
The Forêt de la Braconne is an almost 5,000-hectare state forest on karst, crisscrossed by underground rivers. Sinkholes formed by underground waters include the Grande Fosse, the Fosse Limousine and the Fosse Mobile. These three named features give the karst theme a tangible focus: the landscape is characterised not only by its forest area, but also by these geological formations.
The Passerelle du Gros Roc also has a specifically water-related purpose. It allows pedestrians to cross when the Bandiat leaves its riverbed. Its function is therefore linked to this river condition.
A church and a manor house: two architectural histories
The Église Saint-Cybard de Rivières combines an original Romanesque chapel, a Gothic façade and a Byzantine dome. These three architectural features offer different points of reference for viewing the building. The church is open daily all year round. If it is closed, you can request the key from the town hall office. The church and cemetery were listed as historic monuments by decree on 29 November 1948.
At the Manoir de Ribérolles, the focus is on its construction phases and style: the central section and the right wing were built in 1786, and the left wing in 1818. The manor house is a neoclassical residence. The different dates make its building history tangible over time without merging the two phases into a single year of construction. The entire manor house was listed as a historic monument by decree on 12 March 2010.
When planning your trip, you can prioritise the themes according to your interests: the GR 36 offers a hiking trail with a far-reaching connection, while the Défi features a course with twelve challenges. The Forêt de la Braconne brings karst formations to the fore; the church and manor house offer two different ways to explore architectural history. This allows you to choose the focus of your stay without treating the individual places and activities as the same kind of outing.
Discover more destinations: Villars, Agris, Montrollet, Châteaubernard, Parzac, Nanteuil-En-Vallée, Manot, Saint-Romain
For the broader travel overview: Charente.
