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.

This route will take you past six wash houses located in the towns of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize and Ardin. You will also discover an old kiln, a marble quarry and the large chimney (a remnant of the lime kilns) in Coulonges-sur-l'Autize.

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.

This route follows paths that run alongside the Autise and Saumort rivers in the heart of unspoilt countryside. Very pleasant in fine weather, some sections of these paths can sometimes be flooded or difficult in wet weather.

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 pleasant walk around the Autize valley offering beautiful views and varied landscapes. The village of Xaintray and its hamlets feature many renovated old houses, lending the village a certain charm. Gorre Castle and the wash houses complete the built heritage. The Autize and Chancelée valleys are areas of unspoilt natural beauty.

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

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