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Bois-de-Céné walks
Marshes, storks and ancient abbey on Île Chauvet
Visorando Member
4.17 mi
+3 ft
-3 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Bois-de-Céné (Vendée)
A short walk in the heart of the marsh. Depending on the season, you may see storks, shelducks, ibises and all kinds of wading birds. The walk starts on the cycle path towards Bouin, and after the hamlet of Mon Désir, the return journey is via the stork trail.
Route of three villages starting from the Garnache communal forest
4.42 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from La Garnache (Vendée)
This walk is suitable in all seasons. Just one thing to bear in mind for the first four hundred metres: avoid the ruts left by farm machinery on the forest track in wet weather.
The marsh
5.64 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
The Breton marsh... a magnificently wild and little-known land for walkers.
This route will take you through its vast expanses, among herons and little egrets!
The croaking of frogs will accompany you in summer and you will be surprised by the transformation of the landscape in winter.
In spring, life is reborn and explodes in this particularly rich aquatic environment.
Les Hauts du Treil
5.08 mi
+62 ft
-59 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
Passing through charming villages and pretty little hamlets, you will also walk alongside the Grand Étang, which has been developed for leisure and fishing, as well as market gardens where lamb's lettuce is grown in such large quantities that Machecoul-Saint-Même is one of the leading producers in Europe.
Gadwall ducks, mallards and swans await you on this hike, which will take you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Machecoul-Saint-Même.
La Chaume Abbey
4.62 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Machecoul (Loire-Atlantique)
As you walk, you’ll be treated to a variety of landscapes: market gardens, woodland, sandy paths and grassy tracks, as well as some unusual sites steeped in history. La Chaume Abbey, founded in the 11th century, has had a very turbulent history; the trapezium-shaped Merovingian sarcophagi in the cemetery, carved from La Chaume limestone; and finally, the 19th-century racecourse.
Route des Moulins
25.50 mi
+135 ft
-144 ft
4 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Challans (Vendée)
Around Challans, this route takes you to explore two mills that are still in operation.
The first section, in the Sallertaine marshes, offers the chance to spot numerous wetland birds.
In the second part, around Châteauneuf, you may spot wildlife in the early morning (roe deer, hares, pheasants, etc.) and, in spring, observe the storks nesting near the abbey on Île Chauvet.
The Fresnay Marsh
4.34 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Fresnay-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
Until the 10th century, the sea bordered the village of Fresnay, then gradually receded, leaving behind a marsh that you can explore on this walk.
Circular walk through the Sallertaine Marshes
8.02 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
The village of Sallertaine and its marshes. Not always accessible during very wet periods – check beforehand. It’s a feast for the eyes on windless mornings. It’s like walking on a mirror. There aren’t many paths; this route is mainly tarmac.
From Sallertaine to the Moulin de Rairé
1.05 mi
+3 ft
-10 ft
0h 30
Easy
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
A pleasant walk through the marshes from Sallertaine to the Moulin de Rairé, the only windmill to have been in continuous operation since 1560.
In the footsteps of Jean Nesmy in Sallertaine
4.87 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Sallertaine (Vendée)
Circular on the steps of Jean Nesmy in Sallertaine and the surrounding area. This walk takes you to the Moulin de Rairé mill.
The hills above Saint-Cyr-en-Retz
3.84 mi
+79 ft
-79 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Bourgneuf-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
Explore the hedgerow countryside of the Pays de Retz with views over the Breton marshes. Starting from the orientation table, take a walk through the hedgerow countryside and return via the village, where you can discover one of the most beautiful churches in the Loire-Atlantique.
The Falleron Valley
4.62 mi
+135 ft
-115 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Mer-Morte (Loire-Atlantique)
A peaceful walk awaits you on this route, dotted with typical villages such as La Brosse, La Grivière and L’Épronnière. Winding through the bocage, this route will take you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the village of Saint-Étienne de Mer Morte. The path will take you across the little stream known as the Blanchardière, and a ford will allow you to cross the Falleron.
Machecoul Forest from Saint-Même-le-Tenu
6.50 mi
+69 ft
-69 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Saint-Même-le-Tenu (Loire-Atlantique)
This hike allows you to discover the Machecoul forest with its characteristic flora and rich forest birdlife, not to mention numerous rare or endangered insects.
Around Port du Collet
7.82 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Les Moutiers-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)
A seaside walk starting from the small Port du Collet, formed by the estuary of a coastal river between the Loire Atlantique and the Vendée
It first follows a small winding road through the Marais Breton marshes, where you can observe numerous wild birds, including swans, geese, ducks, egrets and other marsh wildlife. It then runs along the coast, between the dunes and the beach, with magnificent views of the island of Noirmoutier, Bourgneuf Bay and its fishing grounds.
The lakes of La Marne
5.01 mi
+30 ft
-30 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from La Marne (Loire-Atlantique)
The La Marne lakes route will take you on a tour of the leisure area and its ponds, which are ideal for fishing and relaxation. The walk will take you through wooded countryside and fields, allowing you to explore the area around the village.
Tenu Route
6.77 mi
+66 ft
-66 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Mars-de-Coutais (Loire-Atlantique)
This walk will take you through countryside landscapes shaped by nature and the changing seasons. As you follow the River Tenu, you’ll be able to spot the lake’s birds and admire the local flora. If you stop for a break by the water’s edge, you may notice a distinctive feature of this river. It can actually flow in both directions: from south to north towards the Acheneau, or from north to south to join the Breton marshes near Machecoul-Saint-Même.
Route des Marais de Grand-Lieu to Saint-Mars-de-Coutais
4.68 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Saint-Mars-de-Coutais (Loire-Atlantique)
During this walk, you’ll pass meadows, vineyards and forests lined with pollarded trees. Halfway along the route, you’ll pass through Bois Joli, which certainly lives up to its name. The icing on the cake is the finale in the marshes, on the edge of Lac de Grand-Lieu. Wildlife, flora and landscapes to discover: a complete change of scenery is guaranteed.
Depending on the season, you’ll walk along sandy paths lined with ditches and meadows grazed by cattle in summer and much loved by birds all year round.