Chasseneuil-Sur-Bonnieure: Trails and Remembrance

Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure offers various ways to include trails, history and local cultural life in your travel plans. The hiking trails vary in length, colour and starting point. There are also activities related to remembrance, leisure and markets. This lets you choose what to focus on without having to fit every topic into the same day.

Choose hiking trails by length and starting point

The Sentier du chemin des ânes is a 10.5-kilometre blue hiking trail. Two other trails are each 12.5 kilometres long: the green Sentier de Bon air starts at Place Sarreguemines, while the yellow Sentier du Mémorial starts at the car park of the Salle municipale. So the same distance does not mean the same starting point or route. When comparing the three trails, the colours and starting points provided can help you find your way; they do not indicate walking time or difficulty.

At six kilometres, the trail through the Forêt de Chasseneuil is shorter. It starts at the upper car park of the Mémorial de la Résistance. You can therefore begin by sorting the options according to the stated distance and starting point. Check the municipal route details again before setting out, especially if you are planning your day around a particular trail.

Leisure activities and geocaching

Accrodéfis is a high ropes course in Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure. It has five adventure courses of increasing difficulty. Other activities include paintball in the Taillis de la Fuie and an outdoor laser game using laser guns. The activities are quite different, so which one suits your trip depends on what you are looking for. Check with the operator for current opening arrangements before your visit.

Tèrra Aventura offers a different way to explore the area with its free geocaching mission, “Mission spéciale pour Bir Hacheim”. The route features hidden QR codes, treasures and puzzles, while introducing visitors to part of the history of Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure. It combines a treasure hunt with a historical theme. Check with the municipality in advance to see whether the route is currently available.

Memorial sites and history

The Maison de la Résistance René Michaud displays memorabilia from the Maquis Bir’Hacheim, relating to the history of 1943 to 1945. The models on display include a Gourbi Maquis shelter, a parachute drop zone and a crossing point on the demarcation line. On request, the house also offers eyewitness accounts from former members of the Maquis Bir’Hacheim, as well as a two-hour tour of the memorial trails. The request requirement is important if you would like to include these activities in your plans.

The Mémorial de la Résistance stands 21 metres high and overlooks the forests where the region’s Maquis groups were based. The crypt contains the graves of the principal Maquis leaders in the Charente département. The National Cemetery surrounding the memorial covers more than two hectares. It is the burial place of 2,026 members of the Resistance or military personnel from the Second World War. Together, these sites offer different points of reference for remembrance: the memorial, the crypt and the extensive cemetery.

The Eglise Saint Saturnin offers another way to explore the local heritage. The building is noted for its proportions and restrained ornamentation. The chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary; its stained-glass windows date from the 19th and early 20th centuries and were restored in 2007. If you are planning a themed visit, you can combine a visit to the church with an interest in architecture and historic stained glass.

Markets and culture in town

Markets are held year-round in Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure: on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Place de l’église, and on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Place Sarreguemines. The Foire du 22 adds to the market offering: it takes place on the morning of the 22nd of each month and features stalls run by local producers. If visiting a market is important to your stay, check the dates locally again before travelling.

Regular exhibitions are held at the Espace Michel Bourdareau. Cinéma VOX is a rural art-house cinema run as an association by Cinéveil16, and a cultural meeting place for the local community. The Point Infos Tourisme is located on the ground floor of the Maison des associations, sharing the premises with the Maison de la Résistance. Opening arrangements may change; check them before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Saulgond, Mazières, Édon, Le Vieux-Cérier, Asnières-Sur-Nouère, Passirac, Saint-Laurent-De-Céris, Gardes-Le-Pontaroux.

For the wider travel overview: Charente.