Le Gond-Pontouvre: River Landscapes and Walking Routes

Le Gond-Pontouvre is shaped by two rivers: the municipality borders the Charente to the west, while the Touvre flows through it from east to west. There are many green natural spaces and walking paths near the water. For your planning, you can choose from various circular routes with different lengths and landscapes.

Rivers, Nature and Local History

The names, too, tell the story of the Touvre. “Pontouvre” comes from the contraction of “Ponts de la Touvre.” The name Gond-Pontouvre derives from the two old villages of Le Pontouvre and Le Gond. Those exploring the area on foot will come across other place and landscape names that help shape the character of the routes.

The Île de Foulpougne borders the Charente to the west and is crossed by the Touvre. It is part of the municipality’s natural heritage. The Circuit de la petite prairie circular route passes through a protected, natural stretch of the Coulée verte along branches of the Charente, then continues to the village of Vénat and its chapel. Le Tour de l’Arédie offers a different succession of landscapes: the circular route runs from the Coulée Verte via the Combe du Maine to the Bois des Rouyers.

The natural and cultural heritage of the area between the Touvre and Charente includes embankments, locks, bridges, mills, fountains and washhouses. This list makes clear that the river landscape is not just greenery along the banks: structures and traces of earlier uses are also part of its defining character.

Choose Circular Routes by Length and Time

The Circuit Entre Touvre et Charente circular route starts at the Gond-Pontouvre town hall. It is 11.5 kilometres long, and the stated duration is about three hours and 30 minutes. Route conditions may vary. Check the starting arrangements again before your trip. The route also includes a section of the La Flow Vélo cycling route, which crosses the Charente.

The Périph’vert footpath is a 19-kilometre circular route connecting Gond-Pontouvre, Angoulême, Isle d’Espagnac and Soyaux. It runs in close proximity to the STGA urban bus network and is accessible to all groups of people. As its connection to the public transport network may change, check this link before your trip. The Périph’vert also draws attention to various cultural and historical features of the Charente.

Le Tour de l’Arédie is 17.5 kilometres long and starts in the Gond-Pontouvre area. The circular route is listed as taking one hour on foot or two hours by mountain bike. In length, it falls between the 11.5-kilometre Circuit Entre Touvre et Charente and the 19-kilometre Périph’vert. When planning your time, it is important to consider the modes of transport specified for each route: the Circuit is listed as taking about three hours and 30 minutes, while Le Tour de l’Arédie gives separate times for the walking and mountain-biking options.

Viaduct and Industrial History

The Circuit Entre Touvre et Charente passes beneath the Viaduc de Foulpougne. The viaduct is a railway viaduct on the Paris–Bordeaux line. The circular route therefore combines river and landscape views with a structure from the history of transport and industry.

The Usine élévatoire de Foulpougne is also part of the area’s history. It was commissioned in 1908 and helped supply Angoulême with drinking water for more than half a century. The viaduct and pumping station served different technical purposes: one provided a railway connection, the other a drinking-water supply. Together with the embankments, locks, mills and washhouses, they provide a historical backdrop to the landscape through which the local routes pass.

Discover More Destinations

Julienne, Souvigné, Mazières, Criteuil-la-Magdeleine, Pleuville, Dirac, Ecuras, La Couronne

For the main travel overview: Charente.