Between the Juche-Pie Woods and the "Folie" vineyards
Panzoult

Between the Juche-Pie Woods and the "Folie" vineyards

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Between the plains and small valleys, cornfields and vineyards, the vestiges of yeseryear along with civil and religious architecture, the diversity Panzoult is what is so attractive about it. Panzoult if one of the 19 wine-making villages of the Chinon appelation, which includes over 200 winemakers.
François Rabelais' character the SIbylle, a prophet Panurge came to consult, following Pantagruel's advice, in the "Croulay" Valley.

Description

  1. Wine producers cellar
    This red way-marked 10 kilometer path starts at the "Cave des Vignerons".
    From here, take the path that runs alongside Panzoult's former seignorial castle. Built in the 15th century, the castle has a pentagonal stair turret.
  2. View over the Valley
    Pause to enjoy the view over the valley.
    Then, continue your parth into the underwood where you might cross paths with one of the many deers that roam the area. Turn right, then left following the path that passes close by the ruins of the former castle.
  3. Woods
    Approximately 500 meters further on, turn left onto a small tarmac road and walk past a winegrower's house. Continue straight ahead, and then turn right onto a grassy path. After the farmhouse, enter the woods when you get to the picnic table.
  4. Le Puits du Pin
    Follow the path for around 800 metres as it descends gently towards "Le Puits du Pin".
    After passing the ruins of a house, leave the woods. You are walking alongside what were once open-air pools.
  5. The "Folies" vineyard
    Then turn right and walk up the tarmac roads towards "Etilly". Turn left again at the hamlet of "Etilly" and admire the view over the valley of the Manse river. Arriving at the give way sign, go straight ahead : you will pass close by the "Folies" vineyard. As Rabelais wrote, be careful not to enjoy the "dive bouteille" (divine bottle) too much ! 
    Turn right before "Les Petites Roches". You will come to the D221. Notice on your left "La Fuye de Roncé", a 17th century hexagonal dovecote with 2400 pigeon holes inside). Head to the right.
  6. Roncé
    At Roncé, read carefully the information board, to find out about the local climates and soils. Turn left as you leave the village and take the grassy footpath. 
  7. La Grange aux Moines
    After walking among vines and pastures to the "Grange aux Moines", turn right; continue for 200 metres to reach Panzoult's lake.
  8. Panzoult
    Go up the "Rue de la Vienne", pass the town hall and the former presbytery (one of its walls is decorated with a 17th century slate sundial). Go down the "Rue de l'église". This church, dedicated to Saint-Vincent, was built in the 11th century then reworked between the 12th and 16th centuries. Saint-Vincent, patron of winemakers, is celebrated every year in Panzoult on the first Saturday of February. Go over the crossroads, go down the "Rue de la forêt" then turn right and head towards the "Cave des Vignerons". This cellar, full of surprises, is definitely worth a visit.
  • Departure : Panzoult - Winemakers' wine cave
  • Arrival : Panzoult - Winemakers' wine cave
  • Towns crossed : Panzoult

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