The Exoudun dolmen takes you back to the Neolithic period; other features of the village tell of later periods of construction and use. There is also a geological spring and a variety of trails.
Dolmen and Village History
The Exoudun dolmen, dating from the Neolithic period, is located in the village centre. It was classified as a Monument historique by decree on 1 July 1970.
The Logis de Boissec tells the story of another era. It was built for Louis de Saint-Georges and Elisabeth de Brémond between 1591, the year they married, and 1611. 1611 was also the year the chapel, now destroyed, was built. In the 17th century, Protestants used the Logis as a place of worship; one of the courtyards was called Cour du Temple.
Saint-Edouard Parish Church: Construction and Vaults
Saint-Edouard Parish Church adds 19th-century building history to this picture: it was built between 1854 and 1855 and consecrated on 5 August 1855. Its vaults also vary according to the parts of the building. The nave and transept arms have full round-arched barrel vaults, while the choir and apses have calotte vaults. The crossing is topped by a vault with pointed arches.
Spring and Protected Area
The Fontaine Bouillonnante is the Quaternary resurgence of Planche and originates in the Dive basin. A wash house was built at the spring. During high water, the flow can reach 8,000 litres per minute.
Exoudun is one of the municipalities within the Camp militaire d’Avon ZNIEFF Type 1 area, which extends across several municipalities. The habitats recorded there include dry and mesophilic grasslands, hay meadows and pastures, as well as numerous hedgerows and wooded areas. The natural area is closed to the public because it is a military site.
Trails with Different Profiles
The “Au fil de la Sèvre par Exoudun et Bagnault” walking trail is 14.5 kilometres long. Variants of 11.5 and 6.5 kilometres are available; the full route takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. Check the current condition of the route before setting out.
The Tèrra-Aventura experience “En quête de pierres” offers a different focus: the 3-kilometre geocaching route passes through the medieval streets of Exoudun. Several riddles lead to a hiding place and a solution word. The starting point is opposite the former town hall. Check the latest route details in advance; they may change.
The 3-kilometre geocaching route is less than half the length of the shortest walking trail variant, at 6.5 kilometres. The walking trail offers a total duration and two shorter variants; the geocaching experience includes riddles, a hiding place and a solution word.
Discover more destinations: Parthenay, Granzay-Gript, Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent, La Coudre, Châtillon-Sur-Thouet, Le Retail, Bessines, Sepvret.
Back to the regional travel guide: Deux-Sèvres.
