Saint-Coutant offers two clear ways to explore: wetlands and biodiversity on the one hand, architecture and ecclesiastical heritage on the other. For an active part of your stay, you can choose between two easy circular walks. Their different distances and estimated times make it easier to decide whether a shorter or longer route better fits your plans for the day. The natural side is firmly rooted in the wetlands of the Dive Valley; cultural themes range from a donation shortly after 1906 to contemporary stained-glass windows dating from 2024. This lets you tailor your stay to the focus you prefer.
Wetlands and biodiversity
The 551-hectare ZNIEFF Type 1 site “Boucle de la Dive du Sud” includes wetlands in the upper reaches of the Dive Valley in Saint-Coutant. The profile dated 12 June 2024 names three of the department of Deux-Sèvres’ rarest spreadwing damselfly species: Leste verdoyant (Lestes virens), Leste dryade (Lestes dryas) and Leste fiancé (Lestes sponsa). The wetlands and bocage landscapes also provide habitat for the black-tailed godwit, northern lapwing, reed warbler, grey heron, water rail and red-backed shrike. This brings three named damselfly species and six bird species into focus as part of the area’s natural heritage. The information links biodiversity to two specific habitat types. Anyone interested in animal species can find pointers to the species and habitats highlighted here.
Ecclesiastical heritage and design
The tabernacle from the Augustinian Priory of Saint-Gilles was donated to the parish of Saint-Coutant shortly after 1906 and is modelled on the Porte Saint-Jacques in Parthenay. This brings together a historical donation and a specific architectural model from Parthenay. These two connections help place the tabernacle in context through its history and design. Contemporary stained-glass windows were installed in Saint-Gilles Church in 2024. This addition brings a more recent, clearly dated element to the cultural theme. More than a century separates the donation shortly after 1906 from the installation of the windows in 2024; the two dates therefore mark distinct points in time.
Comparing two easy circular walks
The Saint-Coutant-nord route is an easy circular walk covering 4.6 kilometres, with an estimated time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The equally easy Saint-Coutant-sud route covers 5.7 kilometres and is estimated to take 2 hours. The difference is 1.1 kilometres and half an hour. If you prefer a shorter time commitment, the northern route fits the bill; for a longer walk, consider the southern route. Both walks are rated easy, but the southern route covers more distance and takes longer according to the estimated time. This makes it easy to choose based on distance and time required.
The northern route starts on Rue de la Girardière, near a washhouse; the car park is also located there. On the southern route, blue markings and “Balades et Découvertes” logos show the way. The routes therefore offer different practical pointers: the northern route has a named starting point and car park, while the southern route is identified by its trail markings.
Discover more destinations: Sainte-Soline, Granzay-Gript, Moncoutant, Saint-Aubin-le-Cloud, Oiron, Les Groseillers, Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan, Sainte-Gemme
For the full travel guide: Deux-Sèvres.
