Ardin walks

During this hike, you will discover numerous fountains and wash houses, of course, but also the castle and park of Dilay, the Doré, Saumort and Autize valleys, the Pouzay house and dovecote, the Chaillot arboretum and perhaps... La Galipote.

South-west of the Gâtine Parthenaise, starting from Coulonges-sur-l'Autize, this hike takes you from the plains of southern Vendée to the more hilly Gâtine Parthenaise, from farmland to bocage.

A pleasant walk offering beautiful views.

A pleasant walk starting from Béceleuf, with its Romanesque church, exploring the Autize Valley with its dovecotes, castles and manor houses, not to mention the numerous wash houses and mills in this area rich in heritage and nature, such as the Chêne de Pouzay. As you walk, be sure to look out for the Gâtine barriers, reminders of the past.

A route close to the river with beautiful shaded paths.

A route that follows the River Autize, passes near Château des Moulières, then takes a footpath and reaches the village of Tourteron via agricultural tracks. After a detour to the fountain and wash house in Tourteron, the walk continues across the plain dotted with wind turbines, then follows or runs alongside an old railway line, passes under a viaduct and returns along the meadows bordering the Autize to the Moulin de Dray before climbing back up to Saint-Pompain.

Beautiful views and a few wash houses enhance this route, the first part of which is shared with the Logis de Pichenin trail.

A pretty, hilly route, mainly shaded, which leads through the countryside between three rivers, from the village of Fourbeau to Les Ritraisses via two different paths.

Former mining basin, Faymoreau Petite Cité de Caractère in Vendée. Worth visiting for its geological history, its mining museum, its miners' houses and its miners' chapel with its stained glass windows. A walk through the countryside on an old railway line, along the banks of the river "La Vendée" and through orchards.

Starting from the Faymoreau Mining Centre, this route follows the mine path (an old railway line) and then continues through the countryside and orchards to reach the national forest (to be avoided during the hunting season).

A pleasant hike in hilly terrain around the Egray River and its tributaries. It offers beautiful landscapes and allows you to discover a rich heritage of ancient buildings (Château de la Pimpelière, houses, farm buildings, etc.). The natural heritage is not to be outdone, with the Planche de Rochard and the Rochers de la Chaise, for example.

A peaceful walk through the Pamplie countryside, between fields and forests.

From the ruins of the old fortified castle, passing by the Church of Sainte-Eulalie (a listed historic monument), follow the Peux, a network of small footpaths with evocative names: Peu des Demoiselles, Peu des Ânesses, Peu de chez Gognar, Peu de Gâte-Bourse… you will discover the village of Benet, which stretches across two hills crossed by Rue de la Combe, beneath which flows the Vrizon.

You will first follow the right bank of the Sèvre Niortaise to the Pont de Gué Moreau. There, you will take theGR®36, which will lead you back to the Château de Coudray-Salbard. Following a shaded path, you will climb up behind the château to the hamlet of Le Peu, reaching the Fontaine Braye. Continuing along theGR®, you will walk through a cool, lush valley. As you climb back up onto the plateau, you will leave theGR® and return to Ternanteuil to reach the car park where you started.

Mélusine accompanies you near her castle in Coudray-Salbart, along the peaceful banks of the Sèvre Niortaise, towards old hamlets and ancient dwellings with imposing dovecotes.

A route through hills, hedgerows, forests, streams and green valleys with numerous views of the "little Switzerland" of Beugnon.

You can admire the Romanesque church of Sciecq before crossing the Sèvre Niortaise on a chain boat. You will then see the Château de Mursay, where Françoise d'Aubigné was raised, before walking along a shaded path overlooking the river. In the village of Surimeau, you will cross the Sèvre again at the Moulin d'Âne and take the Chemin des Pêcheurs between the Sèvre and the Bois des Touches to reach the Moulin de Compéré before heading back up towards Chantemerle and returning to the starting point. Please note: the chain boat will be removed on Friday 8 September 2023 for maintenance. It will probably not be put back until the end of March next year, except perhaps for Heritage Days. (information from town staff) There is no alternative crossing available...

A hike in the Secondigny National Forest, dotted with foxgloves and ending with magnificent views of the Pays de Gâtine.

Hike around La Meilleraie with a mostly shaded first section and some unpaved paths, forming a pleasant green tunnel in summer. The second part of the circuit is more open, with a section on the plain. This second part can be avoided by going directly from point (6) to point (9).

Walking along the Rigole d'Aziré to the Courdault canal, then returning via the Marais des Nattes, you may spot some nutria, purple herons or lapwings, and perhaps even a deer or two.

This is an easy, short walk that allows you to discover the wild side of the Green Venice. In the heart of nature, you will always be close to the water, in the shade of pollarded ash trees and poplars. And you may even be lucky enough to spot some nutria or deer.

Merger of two very well-marked routes, marked in two colours: yellow-orange and yellow-blue. The route is mostly shaded and very pleasant in the Poitevin marshes!

Covering an area of 5,518 hectares, the Mervent-Vouvant forest complex includes a 2,530-hectare state-owned forest. It is home to a rich variety of plant species. The most common species, the sessile oak, can reach a height of 35 metres at 200 years of age. The suggested route follows paths and forest lanes in the north-eastern part of the forest. The multitude of existing paths allows you to extend or shorten this walk as you wish.

A short route through the wild marshes of Courdault.

Circular route in the Mervent-Vouvant Forest starting from Chevalement Saint-Michel in Épagne.

This route follows the cycle path along the Sèvre Niortaise, from La Roussille to Magné, then returns via the Marais de Peigland and Marais de Saint-Rémy to the village of La Tiffardière, near the starting point.

Taking the cycle paths and theGR®36via Belle Île, you will follow the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise and the Noron lake. Numerous vegetable gardens and beautiful residences line part of this route.

A pleasant little route through the orchards of Secondigny.

A walk in the wild marshes of Le Mazeau, criss-crossed by a multitude of canals and ditches. Here, summer and winter alike, the light is always beautiful through the poplar plantations!