Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé: History and Activities

Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé offers several distinct highlights to consider when planning your trip: archaeological history, historic buildings, and opportunities for hiking, cycling, climbing and water-based activities. This lets you combine culture and exercise according to your own interests. Options range from a circular hike taking around an hour and a half to a 15-kilometre cycling route.

Archaeology and Historic Buildings

The Grotte des Cottès and its slope form one of the few archaeological sequences in Western Europe to fully cover the end of the Middle Paleolithic and the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic. This period dates back around 35,000 to 37,000 years. The transition between these two periods of the Paleolithic is key to understanding the site: the sequence covers it in full.

The Château de la Guitière was built in the 14th century and altered over the following centuries. On December 5, 2007, the entire complex was listed as a historic monument. It includes the residential building, greenhouse, outbuildings, entrance gate, enclosure, towers and chapel. The château is privately owned. Its construction and listing refer to different points in time: the château was built many centuries before it was later registered.

Another point of architectural interest is the north pavilion of the Château de Jutreau. It dates from the 15th century and was listed as a historic monument on April 17, 1935. The château is privately owned; the listing applies to the north pavilion as part of the château complex. Unlike the listing of the entire Guitière complex, this one identifies a specific part of the building.

Hiking, Cycling and Climbing

The easy circular hike “De Grottes en Châteaux boucle n°5” is 6.8 kilometres long and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. It starts and ends in Le Bas Bourg in Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé. First, it follows the Gartempe, then climbs uphill through the forest. Its circular route, start and end point, and approximate walking time give you a clear idea of the hike’s length.

“Gare à la Trempette!” combines a treasure hunt with a 15-kilometre cycling tour. The route follows greenways and small roads along the Gartempe. The course is free, open to everyone and accessible year-round. Check current access before setting out.

At the eastern edge of the municipality, near the hamlet of La Guignoterie, a rock face dating from the Upper Jurassic overlooks the left bank of the Anglin. The La Guignoterie area is part of the Natura 2000 network and contributes in particular to protecting biodiversity and bats. The La Guignoterie climbing area has 20 sectors and 141 routes on cliffs up to 35 metres high. The routes are suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike; their number may change following a future redevelopment.

Water Activities

La Fourmy Canoë offers guided descents led by state-qualified professionals, night descents with an instructor, and fun introductory sessions on the water. For independent family outings, you can rent canoes and kayaks; equipment and minibus transport are included. La Fourmy Canoë also offers stand-up paddleboarding and a shuttle to the starting point of the canoe trip. As schedules, booking requirements and transport arrangements may change, check these details when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Champagné-le-Sec, Loudun, Curçay-Sur-Dive, Gouex, Neuville-De-Poitou, Magné, Brux, Berrie.

For the main travel overview: Vienne.