Verrières combines cultural heritage with a landscape of relatively wooded, rolling plains. A dolmen, a church with a preserved lavabo, a bas-relief on the Pont de Saint Braillard and a memorial near La Couarde provide different historical highlights. The former tannery and washhouse are on the path leading downstream; the Radegonde walking routes also offer a choice of distances. When planning your trip, you can choose between monument history, pilgrimage tradition and landscape.

Cultural Heritage in Monuments and Details

The dolmen is at La Croix, at the entrance to the Chemin de Pelgeau. It has been listed as a Monument historique by decree since 19 January 1952. The Église St Michel de Verrières was first built in the 12th century; its choir contains a preserved lavabo, admired by archaeologists. These are two distinct historical points of interest: the dolmen’s protected status is precisely dated, while the church stands out for its early construction history and a preserved detail in the choir.

Other places bring these themes to life: above the keystone of the northern wall of the Pont de Saint Braillard is a bas-relief depicting a person. A memorial at the roadside near La Couarde commemorates the fighting of 3 July 1944. The relief and memorial offer different highlights from the dolmen and church: one depicts an individual, while the other recalls a specific event. Those interested in cultural heritage can thus explore architectural history, an artistic motif and remembrance side by side.

Former Working Sites by the Stream

The former tannery can be visited on foot from the church via a path that descends towards the stream. The former washhouse is right next to it, on the path to the stream. The route therefore leads from the church downstream to two former working sites. This offers a different focus from the individual monuments: it links a named starting point with the former tannery and the neighbouring washhouse.

Radegonde: Pilgrimage Tradition and Walking Routes

The Chapelle de la Rigaudière lies halfway between Verrières and Bouresse, on the boundary between the two areas. It was built to house the «Pas de sainte Radegonde»; the stone was the focus of numerous pilgrimages. The chapel thus represents the pilgrimage tradition surrounding the stone.

Distinct from this is the «Sur les pas de Radegonde» walking trail: it offers 11 circular routes ranging from 3 to 9 km. If you are planning a walk, the stated distance can help you choose the length you want. The chapel and walking trail offer two different connections to Radegonde: a historical pilgrimage tradition and a selection of circular routes.

Rolling Countryside and Water

The landscape of Verrières is characterised by relatively wooded, rolling plains. The Étang de la Forge is a large water reservoir in the commune, providing a specific point of interest related to water. A broad description of the landscape and one named body of water thus sit side by side. When planning your trip, you can take into account the difference between a walk with a stated distance and a stay focused on landscape and water. Which aspect you give greater weight to depends on whether you are most interested in historic sites, walking routes or the landscape of Verrières.

Discover more destinations: Ternay, Saint-Savin, Antigny, Maire, Vouneuil-Sur-Vienne, Savigny-Sous-Faye, Prinçay, Gençay

For the overview of the wider region: Vienne.