The best road cycling routes around Saurais

The Church of Notre-Dame de La Peyratte was built in the early 12th century by the monks of the Abbey of Sainte-Croix de Talmont in the Diocese of Luçon. Its austerity, simplicity, and choice of building materials make it a fine example of the churches of Gâtine. The work involves the general restoration of the church in five phases, beginning with the exterior and then the interior. The project management was entrusted to the Marie-Pierre Nigués agency, a heritage architect. A diagnostic study conducted in 2016 by the Niguès firm estimated the total cost of the work at €1,619,783 excluding tax. Prior to the start of work, the church underwent an archaeological assessment in 2018 and a study of the painted decorations in September 2019. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs is subsidizing the first phase of exterior work, 45% in 2017, 50% in 2021, and 40% in 2022. The municipality is benefiting from an exceptional Local Investment Support Grant of €120,000 for the entire exterior work. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Council are financial partners in the project. A subscription is also open on the Heritage Foundation's website. The Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments – Poitiers site and the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Architecture and Heritage Unit of the DRAC are providing scientific and technical oversight for this restoration.

The Saint-Pardoux Church is an emblematic Romanesque building in the Dordogne region, particularly in Saint-Pardoux-et-Vielvic, and has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1925. Built in the 12th century, it retains its single barrel-vaulted nave and a choir with a semicircular apse. A major renovation carried out in the 17th-18th centuries redefined its western façade and added a bell tower arcade. 🏛️ Architecture and Heritage Plan and structure: a single nave preceded by a Romanesque choir, with a pointed barrel vault and triumphal arch resting on 13th-century engaged columns. Decoration: vegetal capitals and archivolts adorned with geometric motifs (chevrons, triangles, rays), typical of Auvergne Romanesque art. Bell tower: bell tower arcade or pediment, rebuilt in the 17th-18th centuries, typical of the Périgord region. ⛪ History Founded in the 12th century, the church was remodeled in the 13th century with the addition of side chapels and ribbed vaults. Its atypical structure—not oriented toward the east—reflects of a plan adapted to the terrain and the needs of the community

Better equipped than many campsites! The restrooms are super clean, and they even provide toilet paper and soap. The shower costs €1 (coin-operated) and runs for 8 minutes. Bike washing (including cleaner) is free. There's also a garage for bike parking, which you can lock if you have a lock with you. We loved it!

Includes bike wash, air, tools and stand, charging stations, plus some kind of app-operated bbq.

A friendly place organized by the community with toilets, electric recharges, bike shelters, tools and pump. You will find external electrical outlets and a plancha.

For a small village, this is a large and impressive church. It is worth stopping to take a look.

Gourgé is a picturesque village, located on a small promontory which dominates the Thouet, which passes below the village.