Augé is clustered around a fortified Romanesque church. Hilly terrain and terraced gardens on the slopes also shape the character of the village. Here, you can encounter various traces of the village’s history and paths through the countryside.
Saint-Grégoire and the village’s architecture
Saint-Grégoire Church is partly classified as a Monument historique and partly listed as a Monument historique. The classification dates from 7 December 1914, and the listing from 22 October 2003. The building’s history also spans several periods: most of the church probably dates from the 11th century, while its choirs are thought to belong to the Angevin Gothic style of the 13th century. Both dates are therefore given with some qualification.
Opposite the church stands Augé’s oldest house, a Renaissance building. Other historic houses in the village date from the 16th and 18th centuries. The buildings offer different clues for a walk through the village’s history: the oldest house can be dated, while the other houses add examples of architecture from later centuries.
The Protestant heritage includes a former Protestant temple and numerous family cemeteries. They are connected with the Protestant history of the Sèvre niortaise valley. Another historical trace is Augé’s former tram station: now a private residence, it can still be seen above the valley. These landmarks differ in form, but connect the village’s architecture with its religious and technological past.
On foot: circular trail, treasure hunt and stream
The “Les Vallées du Tram” circular trail starts in Augé, is 12 kilometres long and is rated moderate. The route is designed as a walking loop. GPX and KML files are available for export to a GPS device or other navigation device. Check the latest route details before setting off, as route information may change.
A shorter activity is the Tèrra-Aventura treasure hunt “On ira tous en Acadie”: it is 1.5 kilometres long and takes about an hour. The route passes through the flower-filled lanes of the village centre. Its theme draws on the story of the Poitevin pioneers who moved to Canada in the 17th century to settle there. The treasure hunt therefore differs from the 12-kilometre circular trail in both length and historical focus. Check whether the treasure hunt is available before your visit.
A walking and hiking trail also follows the Ligueure stream. Along the way, it passes numerous wash houses and mills before reaching the Chambon River. This gives the trail its own focus: rather than a circular route or themed treasure hunt, it centres on the stream and the structures along its banks. The three options offer different ways to explore Augé on foot; their lengths and themes can help you choose.
A January event with a medieval background
The Foire au vin chaud in Augé takes place every year in January. As dates and programmes can change, it is advisable to check the details for the relevant edition in advance. The event’s name refers to a historical tradition: in the Middle Ages, the lord of the manor allowed wine from his estate to be sold, but reserved the right to sell only his own wine 40 days after the grape harvest. This rule explains the event’s historical background without making any claims about its present-day programme.
Augé therefore offers several specific highlights to help plan a stay: the fortified church and historic houses, traces of Protestant history, trails of varying lengths and themes, and the wine event held each January. When weighing up the options, you can compare the approximately one-hour treasure hunt with the 12-kilometre circular trail, or consider the route along the Ligueure as a separate option. The Foire au vin chaud adds a seasonal highlight; check the exact dates for the relevant year.
Discover more destinations: Souvigné, Pas-de-Jeu, Saint-Maxire, Messé, Pompaire, Surin, Genneton, Boussais
For the main travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.
