Between the plains and the forest at La Meilleraie and Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq

Park on Chemin de la Tabatière.

(S/E) Walk up the unpaved track, then turn left and continue for about a hundred metres.

(1) Turn right onto Rue du Foudeliez, then at the end of the street, turn right onto Rue de la Garde.
At the end of Rue de la Garde, turn right and cross the D49. Continue for a further 50 m until you reach the fork.

(2) Turn sharply left onto Chemin de Plaine and follow it to the Fontaine de Charzais.

(3) Walk past (at the foot of) the fountain, and take the path at the far end to the right of the grounds.
When you reach Rue de Maison Brulée, turn right, walk 80 m uphill, then turn left onto Rue du Fief Pinson.

(4) At the next junction, turn right towards the village of Beaulieu via Chemin de Beaulieu.

(5) At the end of the path, turn left for 200 m, then left again at the entrance to Beaulieu Castle.
Pass the Beaulieu Fountain.

(6) At the entrance to Beaulieu Castle, at the next junction, turn right towards Le Mazeau, then follow Chemin du Mazeau straight ahead.

(7) Pass in front of the porch of Mazeau Castle, continue along the track and take the first track on the left, going round the boundary wall of the property.

(8) Exit onto the D65, turn left for 50 m then immediately right. At the Route de la Chaume, turn right, then at the next junction follow the path straight ahead to enter the forest.

(9) After 300 m, go through the gate and continue along the path on the left (a fairly wide track).

(10) When you reach the Allée de Brulot, turn left for 150 m, then right. At the Allée de Doreau, continue to the right, then at the next junction take the path straight ahead onto the Allée de la Fontaine à l’Ermite.

(11) Carry on for 400 m and take a path on the left which will lead you to the river. Follow the river to the right until you reach the vicinity of the Pont de Perrure.

(12) Before the bridge, take a path on the right (a steep climb for a few metres). Follow this path (running more or less parallel to the road) for 400 m until you reach the D65. Cross the road and take the path opposite (towards the village of Vendée), then turn right before the private property.

Follow this path, which winds gently uphill through the woods for 1 km, then turn left to go round a pond. Continue straight ahead along the path (the village of Le Pinier is on your right), then cross the Chemin de Bernevaud (there’s a large mast at the junction) and you’ll reach the Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq sports ground.

(13) Turn right to walk alongside the football pitch, then exit opposite and take Rue de la Pagerie.
Turn left at the bottom of the street, then turn left onto Rue de la Gravée to reach the Town Hall of Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq.

(14) Leave the Town Hall, cross the car park and turn left onto Chemin des Moulins.
At the end of the path, continue to the right, then at the next junction turn left onto Chemin du Peux (towards La Meilleraie).

(15) Continue along Chemin du Peux until you reach the junction with the D49.

(16) Turn onto the D49, go straight ahead, then take the first left, and then left again at the next junction (small wood on the right).

(17) Turn straight ahead onto the Chemin de la Tabatière and head for the finish line (S/E).

Equipment:
- Rucksack with drinks and energy bars.
- First-aid kit.
- Sturdy footwear.
- Smartphone app and/or IGN maps.
- Walking stick(s).

Places to see:
Charzais Fountain.
Beaulieu Fountain.
Beaulieu Castle.
Mazeau Castle.
Perrure Bridge.
Forest.
River.
Village: Church and Town Hall of Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq.