River valleys and changing landscapes

Contrasting features shape the landscape of the Vienne department: valleys cut through predominantly limestone plateaus, while granitic areas can also be found in the southeast. Notable river landscapes include the Vienne, Gartempe, Anglin, Clain, Vonne and Boivre. Each stretch of landscape offers different terrain; the rivers provide a common thread for discovering the region’s diversity. The department has 22 classified sites and 41 registered sites. These figures may change over time.

Hiking trails and route profiles

The hiking options include marked trails for beginners as well as experienced hikers. Vienne’s trails pass through forests, countryside and river corridors, offering opportunities to observe local wildlife and plant life. The Chemin d’Aliénor is 90 kilometres long. Eighteen towns in the department welcome its users and provide services through establishments with the Accueil Vélo label.

Another route option is the Ligne Verte: it offers 40 kilometres of greenway, including 37 kilometres of developed trail with information and discovery panels. The panels also cover Poitou’s railway heritage. Hares, green woodpeckers and badgers are among the wildlife along the Ligne Verte. Alongside route distances, these specific nature and cultural themes offer visitors useful points of reference.

Cultural heritage to discover

UNESCO-listed routes of the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela cross the Vienne department. One prominent heritage site is Saint-Savin Abbey, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It preserves paintings from the 11th and 12th centuries. You can explore the abbey using a tablet and headset; both self-guided and guided tours are available. This lets you shape your visit according to your interest in the paintings and the abbey’s history.

Nature experiences and leisure

At La Vallée des Singes, primates take centre stage: on a 22-hectare wooded site, visitors can see 34 primate species and more than 450 monkeys. Species and animal counts may change. Visitors can see primates without cages or barriers. Other facilities include a children’s play area, a picnic area and dining options for visitors.

Futuroscope offers a different kind of experience, with 40 attractions; this figure may also change. For travel by car, motorway exit 28 is relevant. TGV and TER rail services run to Futuroscope station; Vitalis bus routes 1, 21 and E also serve the theme park. Transport services and route numbers may change. Check connections before you travel.

A taste of the region

The Haut-Poitou melon also brings together landscape and enjoyment: it grows in clay-limestone soils, which contribute to its distinctive flavour and orange colour. This specific connection to the soil adds a culinary discovery to the impressions of river valleys, hiking trails and cultural heritage.

More destinations

Also discover: Saint-Macoux, Roiffé, Saix, Antigny, Berrie, Civray, Journet, Liglet, Loudun, Lussac-Les-Chateaux, Poitiers, Vivonne, Tercé, Poligny, Mignaloux-Beauvoir, Loubressac, Ligugé, Lésigny, La Roche-Posay, Jaunay-Clan, Gençay, Châtellerault, Chasseneuil-Du-Poitou, Le Vigeant, Moncontour, Berthegon, Montmorillon, Sérigny, Nouaillé-Maupertuis, Bonnes, Latillé, Villiers, Coulombiers, Aubière, Pouant, Savigny-Sous-Faye, Bourg-Archambault, Saint-Pierre-De-Maillé, Marçay, La Bussière, Lathus-Saint-Rémy, Saint-Germain, Bournand, Usson-Du-Poitou, Migné-Auxances, La Puye, Romagne, Ceaux-En-Loudun, Avanton, Couhé, Lusignan, Saint-Jean-De-Sauves, Charroux, Moulismes, Availles-Limouzine, Rouillé, Ternay, Chaunay, Thuré, Maire, Moussac, Saint-Clair, Dienné, Lencloître, Gouex, Glénouze, Vouneuil-Sur-Vienne, Sillars, Vellèches, Savigny-Lévescault, Béthines, Thollet, Nieuil-L'espoir, Château-Garnier, Angles-Sur-L'anglin, Vouillé, Curçay-Sur-Dive, Messemé, Les Trois-Moutiers, Neuville-De-Poitou, Les Ormes, Valdivienne, Monthoiron, Amberre, Saint-Benoît, Chauvigny, Magné, Coussay-Les-Bois, Curzay-Sur-Vonne, La Trimouille, Mauprévoir, Mondion, Persac, Brigueil-Le-Chantre, Maulay, Lavausseau, La Chapelle-Moulière, Pressac, Marigny-Brizay, Verrières, Mirebeau, Haims, Quinçay, Joussé, Brux, Asnières-sur-Blour, Sommières-du-Clain, Saint-Rémy-sur-Creuse, Payré, Morton, Sossais, Orches, Saint-Savin, Nalliers, Senillé, Naintré, Buxeuil, Iteuil, Vézières, Saint-Gervais-les-Trois-Clochers, La Roche-Rigault, Vicq-sur-Gartempe, Mouterre-Silly, Béruges, Voulême, Prinçay, Ranton, Gizay, Champagné-le-Sec, Bignoux, Blanzay, Doussay, Chapelle-Viviers, Chenevelles, Sanxay, Pindray, Coulonges, Montamisé, Dissay, Thurageau, Sammarçolles, Usseau, Maisonneuve, Champagné-Saint-Hilaire

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