Massigny circular route via the Auzay marshes and Les Gazettes

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A circular route partly along the Vendée river, passing through the Marais d’Auzay: a mix of flatlands and marshland!

Details

n°7282847
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.54 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 26 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7 ft
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Description of the walk

Head to the hamlet of Massigny, cross the village to find the River Vendée on your left. Continue along the path for 500 to 600 m until you reach a small car park on the right, which is the starting point.

(S/E) Facing the river, head right (north) and follow the river’s meanders until you reach a bridge to cross it.

(1) At the bridge, turn right just before it. For safety, use the old Eiffel bridge on the right.

(2) Just after crossing the bridge, cross the road and turn left onto Rue de la Batellerie, following it to this hamlet.

(3) Pass through the hamlet of La Batellerie, then turn left onto Rue de la Garenne Au Jard. Continue straight ahead and stay on this road.

(4) Just after La Garenne Aujard, take the path on the left and stay on it, continuing straight ahead and passing the house ‘Les Aigres’. Continue to the next fork.

(5) Just before the relay mast, turn left onto the road, then turn left again and continue straight on to the dam.

(6) When you reach the dam, turn left to return to the starting point, following the river, and arrive at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 13 ft - Parking along the - Vendée (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 1.7 - alt. 13 ft - Eiffel Bridge
  3. 2 : mi 1.82 - alt. 23 ft - Rue de la Batellerie
  4. 3 : mi 2.7 - alt. 16 ft - La Batellerie
  5. 4 : mi 3.29 - alt. 23 ft - La Garenne Aujard
  6. 5 : mi 4.45 - alt. 16 ft - Relay Station
  7. 6 : mi 4.86 - alt. 16 ft - Dam
  8. S/E : mi 5.54 - alt. 13 ft - Parking along the - Vendée (rivière)

Notes

Nearby, Fontenay-Le-Comte boasts remarkable 16th-century façades, a testament to the golden age of the Renaissance.
All amenities.
Motorhome stopover, 2 Avenue du Général de Gaulle.

Worth a visit

Old Eiffel Bridge

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
randonneurs.DS
randonneurs.DS
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this walk along narrow white-top paths and mostly on tiny country lanes: it meant we didn’t have to wade through mud or water, so we kept our feet dry. Indeed, with the weather we’ve had over the last few weeks and days, water is otherwise everywhere. So it was 👍.
An easy walk and so peaceful! Just the song of the little birds.
As for us, we only came across two cyclists at the start of the route, which runs alongside the River Vendée.

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Astrobal
Astrobal

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

The route description is spot on and very easy to follow.
I was very disappointed, however, with the route itself, which runs almost exclusively along either small roads or very wide paths. We didn’t feel at all as though we were in a marsh…
The description, ‘a mix of flat land and marshland’, seems a bit misleading to me… It’s mainly a gentle ride through the countryside, along a canal…
Quite a few cyclists along the way – you need to be careful.

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Gîte Auclairdusoleil
Gîte Auclairdusoleil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with the autumn colours reflecting on the river.
Watch out for cyclists, as the section along the Vendée is part of a signposted cycle route.
Michel

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Corso-Rando
Corso-Rando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I went for a walk along this route on Whit Sunday. The busiest section was the part running alongside the Vendée (with walkers, cyclists and anglers). I didn’t go via the recommended starting point as I arrived from Chaix and parked my car in the small car park at point 2 on the map (just after the bridges). So I started the walk at point 2, which was more convenient for me, though this in no way detracts from the charm of the walk. No difficulty at all, just a pleasant, relaxing setting in the countryside and along the river... all just on the outskirts of Fontenay-le-Comte!

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milovan85
milovan85

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Ready for the next one!!!!

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