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The Syndicat Mixte de la Vallee du Thouet are rightly proud of their recently opened 175 km cycle route, which took 5 years to come to fruition at a cost of €2.5 million, funded by the French government, various grants and the 4 communes through which the trail runs. 'Le Thouet a Velo' is marked by 450 signposts and , in this area, scenery varies from the flat plains of the north around Thouars, to the wooded valleys and rolling hillsides of St Loup and the medieaval quarter of Parthenay. An attractive brochure is available (in English!) from tourist offices which sets out the whole trail, breaking it into sections and detailing the distances and approximate times it should take to cycle each section. In 2010 Camping de Courte Vallee will again be providing a welcome facility for one of the stages. The route is currently being extended to include the cycle trails of the Niort plains and the Marais Poitevin, making it possible to follow a specifically designed cycle route from Saumur to La Rochelle.
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