Clavé: Discover Hiking and Heritage

Clavé is suited to travelers who would like to include hiking and local history in their plans. The three routes offer different highlights: Le plan d’eau du Soleil Levant, marked in yellow and with an approximate duration; Les villages de Clavé, rated moderate; and Les quatre ruisseaux in the hilly Gâtine. There is also the Église Notre-Dame, which dates back to the 12th century. You can therefore consider route duration, scenery, and heritage as different interests when planning your stay.

Hiking in Clavé

The Le plan d’eau du Soleil Levant hike in Clavé is 6.5 km long and takes about two hours. It is marked in yellow. Possible starting points include the church square or the recreation area car park. The car park is at the D142/D329 intersection near the bridge over the Touche Poupard. The approximate two-hour duration gives you a rough guide for planning your day. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

Les villages de Clavé is 10.58 km long, takes an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes, and is rated moderate. Compared with the approximately two-hour hike at Plan d’eau, it requires a longer time commitment. A description updated in 2022 takes the route along a section of the GR® 364; it ends along Plan d’eau du Soleil Levant. The yellow marking belongs to the Le plan d’eau du Soleil Levant hike, while the GR® section is associated with Les villages de Clavé. Check trail conditions before setting out here, too.

Les quatre ruisseaux passes by the La Touche Poupard dam structure and through winding sunken lanes in the hilly Gâtine landscape. A sunken lane is cut into the surrounding terrain and lies below the adjoining ground. The term therefore describes a specific type of path; Gâtine refers to the hilly landscape setting.

Rest and fishing at Plan d’eau

At Plan d’eau du Soleil Levant, there is a rest area for hikers and sanitary facilities. Check their condition on site before planning to use them for your break. Family fishing with a pole or from a float tube is also offered by the water. If fishing is part of your plans, check the applicable rules in advance, as they can change.

The Église Notre-Dame and its protected status

The Église Notre-Dame in Clavé dates back to the 12th century. By decree of January 9, 1932, its bell tower and apse were placed under heritage protection. The two dates relate to different aspects: the 12th century dates the church building, while the decree marks the later protection of these specific architectural features. The apse is the usually semicircular end of a church space. The bell tower and apse therefore refer to two specific parts of the building covered by the protection.

Discover more destinations: Oiron, Saint-Maxire, Parthenay, Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d'Entraigues, Pouffonds, Moutiers-Sous-Chantemerle, Airvault, Sainte-Néomaye

For the regional travel overview: Deux-Sèvres.