Lathus-Saint-Rémy: Gartempe and Roc d’Enfer

Lathus-Saint-Rémy offers specific points of interest along the Gartempe to help you plan your trip: Roc d’Enfer and its granite landscape, leisure activities by the water, and two different trail options. Roc d’Enfer is designated as a Natura 2000 site and is home to diverse flora and fauna. If you are looking for a hotel in Lathus-Saint-Rémy, you can consider whether nature, fishing, walking or other leisure activities will shape your stay.

The Gartempe and Roc d’Enfer

At Roc d’Enfer, steep banks and granite rocks meet the fast-flowing Gartempe. The rocks tower above the water; near Lathus, the river cuts through a rugged granite landscape. Often-shaded paths lead to the Gartempe, and rare plant species grow in this protected area. Its designation as a Natura 2000 site underscores its natural importance, while canoeists and kayakers use the Gartempe for a specific water-based activity. The landscape thus offers both natural features and a named recreational use of the river. The points of interest differ: rocks, the protected site and plant life characterize Roc d’Enfer, while canoeing and kayaking are associated with the Gartempe. When choosing an activity, you can consider an interest in nature, walking and water sports as different priorities.

Leisure facilities by the water

Two leisure areas offer different features. The Aire de loisirs de la Voulzie is on the banks of the Gartempe and has a fishing area accessible to people with reduced mobility. The leisure area by the Saint-Rémy water basin offers recreational fishing; it also has a pétanque court, a children’s playground, picnic tables and sanitary facilities. The facilities therefore differ in their stated focus: the Voulzie area emphasizes its accessible fishing spot, while the water basin brings together several leisure and practical facilities. If you are planning a day around specific activities, this comparison can help you choose between fishing and a place with additional facilities for pétanque, play or picnics.

Walking and the voie verte

For walking, there is the signposted circular trail “L’Aiguail de la Gartempe,” loops nos. 8 and 9. It is 10.2 kilometres long, rated easy, and starts and ends in Marsat in Lathus-Saint-Rémy. As a circular route, it returns to its starting point; the signposted route, difficulty rating and start and end location give you several specific features to consider when choosing this walking option.

Another trail option is the 2.5-kilometre voie verte between Lathus-Saint-Rémy and Roc d’Enfer; it is suitable for several user groups. Compared with the circular walk, the voie verte is much shorter and has a different stated suitability: the 10.2-kilometre route is rated easy, while the voie verte is suitable for several user groups. The two options can therefore be distinguished by route type, length and stated suitability. The 2.5 kilometres refers to the voie verte, and the 10.2 kilometres to the circular walk.

Discover more destinations: La Chapelle-Moulière, Romagne, La Roche-Posay, Coussay-Les-Bois, Sanxay, Thurageau, Saint-Benoît, Prinçay

For the regional travel overview: Vienne.