The best walks and hikes around Mérignac

This vast 40-hectare forest area is a true paradise for nature lovers. In this forest you will discover old white clay quarries: mysterious lakes with turquoise and crystal-clear water offering breathtaking panoramas!

Cellar in Montendre specializing in white wine. They offer many local wines, as well as wines from other French regions. Might be closed, so call ahead to see if they're open. +33677472892

Notre-Dame de Donac church in Romanesque style. The church cannot be visited at any time, it is only open on special occasions (religious festivals). Donnac is a village of more than 700 inhabitants. There are no restaurants, cafes or supermarkets, just the main amenities, like the town hall, post office and this church.

This Romanesque church was rebuilt in the 17th century. It formerly depended on the abbey of Baignes. There is an information board that tells the history of this church as well as details about the architecture. The church is closed and not available for visiting.

This lake was once a swamp area. It became a recreational area between 1981 and 1984. This site is a natural area of ecological, faunal and floristic interest, where we discover vegetation specific to swamps and peat bogs, in particular typical acidophilic plants but also a multitude of invertebrates which are only found in peaty environments: spiders, dragonflies and butterflies including the Sedge Fadet; it is a biotope very favorable to the reproduction of certain amphibians, birds (Harriers, Eurasian Curlew), and mammals (European Otter and European Mink). You can swim, there are slides and boats and kayaks to rent.

Montendre Castle rises on an eminence 114 meters high and dominates a vast panorama of moors, woods and meadows as well as the tight houses of the old town below. Its origin dates back to the Gallo-Roman era with the construction of a first oppidum in 52 BC. J-C. The castle retains elements from various periods, including part of the enclosures, a round tower, a square tower, a guard room and underground passages. Since the beginning of the 2000s, each summer, international projects (Solidarités Jeunesses) have made it possible to gradually renovate the castle grounds and preserve this site, converted into a promenade. The castle is open for visits from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Close on Sunday.

This vast Romanesque-inspired construction was built from 1812 to 1821 to replace a medieval church. Finally, in 1994, the exterior was renovated and an access ramp for the disabled was installed on the south side. For opening hours, please call +33 5 46 49 20 84.

We have a superb view of one of the blue lakes of Touvérac. These are actually old white clay quarries. Land exploitation had left large holes that rainwater has filled over the years. The site has been managed since 1996 by the Regional Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Poitou-Charente. The flora developed to create heaths with their characteristic plants. You can also observe many animal species throughout the seasons.