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Benon walks
Benon North Forest
Association / Club / Walk leader
5.64 mi
+98 ft
-98 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Benon (Charente-Maritime)
A walk best enjoyed in autumn for the colours, or in hot weather, in the shade of the oak trees.Moderator’s note added on 23/08/2021: Private property at the start of this route. See the comments at the bottom of this page for an alternative starting point
⚠️ 15 June 2026: description updated to indicate a start from the carpool area (1).
Courçon via the forest
Visorando Member4.42 mi
+102 ft
-98 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Courçon (Charente-Maritime)
Courçon is situated in the Marais Poitevin Regional Park; its Romanesque-style church was built at the end of the 11th century.
The battlements are merely decorative; they were added at the beginning of the 20th century.
Circuit of the Canal du Mignon starting from La Névoire
2.83 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 20
Easy
Departure from Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud (Deux-Sèvres)
This is an easy walk between the Canal du Mignon and the marshes. Wear good walking or hiking shoes as, depending on the season and how well the banks are maintained, you may encounter tall grass in places or muddy paths.
In the wet marshland of Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud
7.04 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud (Deux-Sèvres)
As you follow this route through the wet marsh, you will discover its unique features, such as the trous de bris (former clay extraction sites used for tile manufacturing until the 1980s), poplar groves and a wide variety of plants and animals.
Loop around the wild marshes of Monfaucon
5.34 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud (Deux-Sèvres)
Located in the commune of Saint-Hilaire-La-Pallud, the start is at a place called Monfaucon in the small car park near the pier. The route begins with a small paved road to the place called La Roche. This start is not the most interesting, but you will quickly forget it as you discover the wild marshland, first along the Vieux Mignon and then the canals, which you follow on a small white gravel path.
Frace Lake in Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis
6.81 mi
+46 ft
-46 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis (Charente-Maritime)
A beautiful walk along Frace Lake, which is popular for fishing and walking, and on through the little town of Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis, where you can visit the Ouchettes cheese dairy and goat farm.
Val de Gères from the Château de Surgères via Saint-Germain-de-Marencennes
8.16 mi
+49 ft
-75 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Surgères (Charente-Maritime)
A pleasant walk to discover Surgères and its historical heritage, between the Aunis plains and wooded areas, passing through Saint-Germain-de-Marencennes (in the commune of Saint-Pierre-la-Noue) and following the Val de Gères with its remarkable wildlife.
In the footsteps of Hélène de Fonsèque in Surgères
6.38 mi
+174 ft
-177 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Surgères (Charente-Maritime)
Circular route starting from Surgères Castle. After leaving the town, you ride through the countryside on the border between Aunis and Saintonge. The landscape changes with the seasons; the start of the ride takes you through fields of rapeseed, wheat and maize.In the final section, you follow the banks of the Gères and finish by re-entering the town through 1970s-era neighbourhoods, then past the ancient walls of old mansions, ending up along the castle ramparts.
Around the Marais Boutin in Bazoin
3.26 mi
+7 ft
-7 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from La Ronde (Charente-Maritime)
A peaceful walk in the Marais Poitevin along the banks of the canals and the Sèvre Niortaise, where you will pass beautiful houses with blue shutters typical of the region.
The Croix des Marys and the Bazoin locks
4.73 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from La Ronde (Charente-Maritime)
This is a short loop in the Marais Poitevin, starting at the Croix des Marys and following the Mignon canal before returning along the Sèvre Niortaise.Please note: read the comments in the Practical Information section
The Green Venice: Damvix - Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud - Arçais
8.89 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
4h 05
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
Relaxation and a change of scenery guaranteed! Come and enjoy the peace and quiet, the authentic landscape and the rich flora and fauna.
The Marais Poitevin, also known as the "Green Venice" for its tourist attractions, is a vast area of water and greenery where nature lovers will find peace and tranquillity along 400 km of canals.
The Sentier des Rainettes in Damvix
5.60 mi
+7 ft
-10 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
Between fields and small woods, between shellfish beds, canals and the Sèvre Niortaise, this loop starting from the port of Damvix is accessible to all.Along the route, there are some lovely spots for picnics and even small restaurants by the water in Bazoin and Damvix where you can stop for a bite to eat. This walk can be continued by boat on the Sèvre Niortaise (boats can be hired at the port of Damvix). You will come across fishermen, swans, cows and ducks and hear tree frogs croaking.
The Marais de la Baronnerie from Damvix
2.76 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
A short walk through the Marais de la Baronnerie in a peaceful and relaxing setting.
The Marais Sauvage between Damvix and the River
8.04 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
A very beautiful route in the Marais Sauvage, where peace and serenity await you.
The Sèvre Niortaise in Damvix
6.71 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
Most of the route is on wide paths, except for a section on a small wilderness trail, then a return along the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise.
The Marais Poitevin in Arçais
5.79 mi
+33 ft
-33 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Arçais (Deux-Sèvres)
Hike in the heart of the Marais Poitevin (wet marshes) starting from Arçais.
The Arcais chain boat
3.03 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
1h 25
Easy
Departure from Arçais (Deux-Sèvres)
Motorhome owners, from the Arcais area, discover the village centre, its port and its famous chain boat for crossing the Sèvre Niortaise.
Marshlands and wash houses of Saint-Georges-de-Rex
7.26 mi
+26 ft
-26 ft
3h 20
Easy
Departure from Saint-Georges-de-Rex (Deux-Sèvres)
This route will allow you to discover the rich flora and fauna of the marshes along the white paths, as well as the small protected and restored rural heritage in the heart of the village of Saint-Georges-de-Rex.
From Thou to Les Égaux de Chambon
6.51 mi
+33 ft
-33 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Le Thou (Charente-Maritime)
Short route in the Aunis plain between woods and farmland.
In the developed Marais Poitevin
6.90 mi
+46 ft
-46 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Le Vanneau-Irleau (Deux-Sèvres)
The villages of Vanneau and Irleau are situated in the heart of the Marais Poitevin Interregional Park, within a site designated a “Grand Site de France”. The Marais Poitevin, developed by humans since the 12th century, is one of the richest wetlands on the Atlantic coast.
Route des Grandes Mottines
3.65 mi
+43 ft
-43 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Le Vanneau-Irleau (Deux-Sèvres)
A short walk along dirt tracks through the marshes and their nutria.
Discover the Marais and the Sèvre Niortaise in Irleau
3.72 mi
+23 ft
-23 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Le Vanneau-Irleau (Deux-Sèvres)
An easy, safe and peaceful round trip walk through the marshes and along the banks of the Sèvre. Whatever the season, you will enjoy the peace and quiet, the flora and fauna, and discover the market gardens and the beautiful local cows. Along the banks of the Sèvre, you can admire the traditional "maraîchines" farmhouses.
