La Flow Vélo leads you into the great outdoors; and our cycle route immerses you in all shades of green!
In fact, a whole variety of verdant landscapes follows in quick succession as you cycle along La Flow Vélo, so marked by gentle, bucolic, rustic scenes. Plus, there are many gardens and protected natural spaces scattered along the route, inspiring places at which to stop for a green break.
After a change of atmosphere? La Flow Vélo leads you into the great outdoors; and our cycle route immerses you in all shades of green!
A whole variety of verdant landscapes follows in quick succession as you cycle along La Flow Vélo, so marked by gentle, bucolic, rustic scenes. Plus, there are many gardens and protected natural spaces scattered along the route, scattered along the route, inspiring places at which to stop for a green break.
Along La Flow Vélo, the cycle route lives up to expectations, replacing modern life’s hustle and bustle with quiet contemplation!
Parc du Château de Panloy (Port d'Envaux)
Located at Port d’Envaux, beside the Charente River between Saintes and Rochefort, these grounds surround the Château de Panloy, an edifice dating back to Louis XV’s times, and a listed historic monument. There’s a family trail to follow that provides plenty of surprises for children and adults alike, with a large-scale treasure-hunt to complete, going in search of a feast for the château’s donkey! This fun tour helps visitors discover lots of secrets about the château at the same time as wandering around the seven hectares of grounds with their pathways and woods. For older participants, there’s also a big quiz to try and win a boat cruise along the Charente.
Practical information
Les Jardins Respectueux (Châteaubernard)
Located just east of the town of Cognac along the Charente, Les Jardins Respectueux cover two hectares and highlight the biodiversity of the Charente Valley. The aim here is to encourage visitors to appreciate the natural environment, connecting them with nature and how to live in harmony with it. It makes for a fun tour, spotting and learning about the many species that thrive here, both in the marshlands and the woods. These educational gardens also demonstrate simple ecological practices, such as composting, building an insect hotel and tending to chickens. The place makes for a surprising, instructive stop, a great one for immersing yourself in local nature.
Practical information
- Opening times / Prices
- Address: 65 Rue de Bellevue, 16100 Châteaubernard
- French landline tel: +33 (0)5 45 80 81 15
- An event worth stopping for: the Fêtes de la Nature, end June
Les Sources de la Touvre (close to Angoulême)
Close to the city of Angoulême, the Sources de la Touvre are in fact the second-largest river resurgence in France, measured by the rate the water flows out. Once you’ve secured your bike(s), head off on a wonderfully relaxing waterside walk. The biological diversity on view in the immediate area is what has made the Sources de la Touvre known at national level in France. Binoculars are great for spotting the fauna. The iconic bird in these parts is the little grebe (or dabchick), which tends to hide in the trees. Moorhens, ducks and trout can be spotted on or in the water. The river resurgences create an enchanting atmosphere, imparting an extraordinary peace for the many birds that make the place home.
Jardin d'Hélys-Oeuvre (St-Médard d'Excideuil)
Arriving at this garden designated a Jardin Remarquable by the French Ministry of Culture, in such a green setting, young and old alike will feel that they’ve entered something of a wonderland. Leave your bike(s) behind to enjoy an enchanted break in the Périgord Vert. The garden is home to almost 150 different species of trees. Along its meandering paths, discover works that tell the story of the place, via visual, sound and literary installations. The grounds were laid out some two centuries ago, while the building at their heart is from the 19th century, and has been through a lot of different lives: as a grand bourgeois home; as a school offering training for work in domestic service after the war; then as a satellite branch for an agricultural college. Fans of plants and art, foodies, and the simply curious will find plenty to delight them here.
Practical information
- Open daily and free, 3pm to 7pm, on self-guided tour.
- Address: Route Départementale 705, Les Gissoux, 24160 Saint-Médard-d'Excideuil
- French landline tel: +33 (0)5 53 52 78 78
Jardins du Château (Hautefort)
Standing out on a rocky outcrop, the Château de Hautefort makes a dramatic sight and offers spectacular views over the undulating countryside beyond. Around the castle itself, the formal French gardens, as well as the more informal English-style landscaped grounds, have greatly added to the estate’s renown. The place has been awarded the national distinction of a Jardin Remarquable. It’s a joy for visitors to wander around the some three hectares, which include fine flowerbeds as well as trees. The flower-filled borders, the steps lined with magnolias and the majestic cedar of Lebanon count among the highlights. In summer, the green, plant-based pergola, almost 70m in length, is a wonderfully refreshing place to explore. Every June, for the national event, Rendez-vous au Jardin, enjoy a tour of the Château de Hautefort’s grounds guided by the head gardener.
Practical information
- Opening times / Prices
- Address: Le Bourg d'Hautefort, 24390 Hautefort
- French landline tel: +33 (0)5 53 50 51 23
- An event worth noting in the diary: les RDV aux Jardins
Jardins de l'Imaginaire (Terrasson-Lavilledieu)
Looking down on the Vézère River from the heights in the midst of the town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu, these gardens offer plenty of visual treats as well as views. The gardens have been planted with 2,000 rose bushes, 20,000 hardy plants, 8,000 trees and bushes, 2,500 box bushes… and 120 water jets. Over 150 plant species can be viewed here. On a one-hour walk, discover 13 themed areas, as well as admiring the green theatre. All designed by American landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson and covering over six hectares of terraced grounds, the gardens offer visitors a poetic promenade.
Practical information
- Opening times / Prices
- Address: Pl. de Genouillac, 24120 Terrasson-Lavilledieu
- French landline tel: +33 (0)5 53 50 86 82
- Event to note: Electronic Garden evenings in July and August, with DJs, light displays and dancing
