Azay-le-BrûléAlong the Sevre

Azay-le-Brûlé

With its built heritage, rich and varied Azay is a town in which we like to walk. The “Azay walks” invite you to discover them. Between washhouses and mills, you will walk along paths, sometimes between trees and hedges, sometimes along the Sèvre Niortaise, the Chambon or the Ligueure.

Getting there

A hidden gem, witness to a long past

The name of Azay comes from a Roman notable, called Asius, who engraved his name on the locality, after the conquest of Celtic Gaul. In the 4th century, Azay witnessed and suffered the terror of the Vikings, and was annihilated by “undermining and fire”, which probably added the term “burnt” to Azay. Around the year 1000, Azay-le-Brûlé rose from its ashes and demonstrated its resilience with the construction of a church attached to the vicariate of Aiffres. Over time, it was enlarged with many buildings, including a charming cloister, which still exists today (Saint-Barthélémy Priory).

Petite cadran solaire Eglise Azay-le-Brûlé

The Roman bridge

This bridge is the remnant of an old Roman road. On this road transited products between the sea and the rest of Gaul. Winner of the prize for “small buildings in danger” in 1990, it was able to regain its characteristics of the past thanks to its restoration.

Discover the hike around the Roman Bridge

Ricou's quarry

This former quarry is a site of major geological interest, today redeveloped is conducive to strolling and listed as a Sensitive Natural Area at the departmental level. No less than 39 species of birds have been recorded there. This unmissable Sensitive Natural Area offers a panoramic view of unspoiled nature. Perhaps you will come across the spotted salamander, or even the Phengaris arion. Bring the telescopes and keep your eyes peeled!

Chemin Carrière de Ricou à Azay-le-Brûlé

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The laundry of Saint-Carlais

This washhouse has the particularity of being associated with a legend. This is the story of two farm maids who promise to go together, the next day, to wash their clothes at the Saint-Carlais laundry. They agree to be there very early in order to occupy the best seats, those close to the fountain where the water is obviously the clearest.

The farthest of the young girls must call her comrade on the way. The latter, in the night, hears a call. She hurries to try to catch up with her friend. When she arrives at the laundry, she notices with terror that the place is occupied, but not at all by the other young girl who, in reality, is still in her bed! It is an unknown being, a sort of ghost dressed in red, who is there. And this apparition is addressed to the poor frightened servant.

The servant comes running back to the farm and dies just after telling her unusual adventure.

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