Exoudun: Dolmen, Heritage and Trails

Exoudun can be explored through different periods and themes: from a Neolithic dolmen and buildings from later centuries to a spring and marked trails. If you are planning a stay, these different points of interest can help you weigh up what you would like to see during your time in the area.

Heritage and Local History

The Dolmen of Exoudun is located in the village centre. It dates from the Neolithic period and was classified as a historic monument by decree on 1 July 1970. Two very different points in time come together here: the prehistoric origins of the structure and its much later protected status. The dolmen provides a tangible link to the area’s early history.

Another chapter in the area’s history can be seen at Logis de Boissec. It was built for Louis de Saint-Georges and Elisabeth de Brémond. The period spans from their marriage in 1591 to 1611, the year the chapel—which is now destroyed—was built. In the 17th century, Protestants held services at the Logis; one of its courtyards was called Cour du Temple. Its construction, religious use and courtyard name make the Logis a distinct historical topic alongside the much older dolmen.

The Church of Saint-Edouard takes the chronology into the 19th century: it was built in 1854–1855 and consecrated on 5 August 1855. Its vaults also offer insight into the building’s architectural layout. The nave and transept arms are covered by semicircular barrel vaults, whose rounded form extends lengthwise across the space. The choir and apses have calotte vaults, or dome-shaped ceilings. Above the crossing is a vault with pointed arches. These different forms can therefore be associated with the individual parts of the church.

Spring and Landscape

The Fontaine Bouillonnante is the Quaternary resurgence of Planche and originates from the Dive basin. A resurgence is where water re-emerges; a washhouse was built at the spring. During high water, the flow can reach 8,000 litres per minute. This figure refers to high-water conditions, not an ordinary flow rate.

Exoudun is one of the communes in the ZNIEFF Type 1 area Camp militaire d’Avon, which extends across several communes. Habitats recorded across the area include dry and mesophilic poor grasslands, hay meadows, pastures, and numerous hedgerows and wooded areas. Camp militaire d’Avon is a military site closed to the public (as of 12 June 2024). Check current access conditions before making plans.

Trails and Activities

The Tèrra-Aventura route “En quête de pierres” combines geocaching with several puzzles leading to a hidden cache and a solution word. The route is 3 km long, follows the medieval streets of Exoudun and starts opposite the former town hall. As route details may change, check them before setting out. Its length and puzzles make this activity different from a longer hike.

The “Au fil de la Sèvre par Exoudun et Bagnault” walking route is 14.5 km long. Shorter options of 11.5 km and 6.5 km are listed; the full route takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. You can compare the listed options by distance: the 3 km geocaching route is shorter than even the shortest walking-route option, while a duration is also given for the full hike. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

For planning, there are several different points of interest to choose from: prehistoric and historic heritage, the architecture of Saint-Edouard, the geological feature of Fontaine Bouillonnante, or a route with puzzles or longer distances. Consider which of these themes matters most for your stay, and when choosing a route, take both its stated length and the conditions mentioned into account.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Usseau, La Chapelle-Saint-Laurent, Pompaire, La Boissière-En-Gâtine, Saint-Pardoux, Le Breuil-sous-Argenton, Mazières-en-Gâtine, Chef-Boutonne.

Back to the main travel guide: Deux-Sèvres.