Faymoreau walks

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).

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.

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.

Covering an area of 5,518 hectares, the Mervent-Vouvant forest complex includes a 2,530-hectare state-owned forest. It is home to a rich variety of plant species. The most common species, the sessile oak, can reach a height of 35 metres at 200 years of age. The suggested route follows paths and forest lanes in the north-eastern part of the forest. The multitude of existing paths allows you to extend or shorten this walk as you wish.

Circular route in the Mervent-Vouvant Forest starting from Chevalement Saint-Michel in Épagne.

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.

There are many pedestrian paths to discover in Mervent forest.

This hike is accessible to all hikers, with a few minor difficulties and one section off the trail, but no major hazards.It starts in the village of Mervent, which overlooks the River La Mêre. A superb viewpoint at the top of the castle ruins offers a view of the meandering river and the surrounding forest.

A route close to the river with beautiful shaded paths.

A short walk in the Forest of Mervent and along the River Mère.

Short hike along the blue-marked Star Trail. Charming little village with everything to do with the universe, stars and planets. La Chapelle aux Lys is a former commune that merged with two neighbouring communes on 1 January 2023 under the name of Terval.

A circular route that takes you off the beaten track in the heart of the Mervent State Forest, suitable for all seasons. Shortcuts are possible. The GPX track can be very useful.

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.

Hike around La Meilleraie with a mostly shaded first section and some unpaved paths, forming a pleasant green tunnel in summer. The second part of the circuit is more open, with a section on the plain. This second part can be avoided by going directly from point (6) to point (9).

Circular route through the forest, passing through rolling meadows, then along the Vendée to the dam and the lake shore, on paths and trails that are sometimes a little steep but pleasant in all seasons.

Starting from the Fontaine-à-l'Ermite roundabout, the trail joins the lake shore and then follows the left bank of the Vendée river up to the Perrure bridge, before climbing up to the Allée de la Fontaine à l'Ermite, which will take you back to the starting point. Please note that the trail is uneven and involves climbing over rocks along the Vendée.

A route through hills, hedgerows, forests, streams and green valleys with numerous views of the "little Switzerland" of Beugnon.

At the start, quiet country lanes with panoramic views of Fontenay-le-Comte and the surrounding countryside; then, after passing through the village of Meilleraie, shaded paths and tracks running alongside the Vendée river not far from the Albert dam, before climbing up to Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq.

Starting from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq, 5 km north of Fontenay-le-Comte, you will first walk along shaded paths around the Vendée and its tributary, the Ruisseau de la Cornelière. (difficult section, uneven path) then, passing by the Fontaine à l'Ermite, you will cross part of the Mervent forest and reach Saint-Michel via quiet paths and small roads, with beautiful panoramic views.

A hike full of mystery... in the land of the fairy Melusine.

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.

Beautiful views and a few wash houses enhance this route, the first part of which is shared with the Logis de Pichenin trail.

A superb hike through the largest forest in the Vendée. The terrain is varied but not particularly difficult, making it a hiker's paradise. Beautiful paths, a dam lake, a climbing site, a leisure park, a hidden cave, remarkable bridges and trees, and a forest that has been explored for many years: this is what I invite you to discover.

From the Saint-Luc roundabout, you will walk along long forest paths to a trail overlooking the Vergnes stream and leading to the Pierre Brune dam. You will then climb stone steps to the Grotte du Père de Montfort and finish the ascent via a wooden staircase. You will then walk along the Mère to the Diet Bridge and join theGR® de Pays de Mélusine, which will take you back to your starting point.

After exploring the Mervent National Forest, a lesser-known but slightly wilder route along the Mervent dam reservoir. Let's set off to explore the banks of the Vendée, passing by the Fontaine à l'Ermite, the Balingue and the Sauvaget site. Quite a programme.

A beautiful hike along the Vendée river and through the Mervent forest. This circular route will take you to the Mervent dam via part ofthe GRP® de Mélusine.

A relatively easy hike with an initial open section along the Vendée towards Fontenay-le-Comte, then back along an old disused railway line. The second section begins with a crossing of vineyards, then immediately enters the forest with paths and trails.

A superb hike that allows you to discover some of the town centre's attractions and trails, mostly along the Vendée, before returning along a small stream and then an old railway line. There is little elevation gain, making it a very easy route.

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.

Merger of two very well-marked routes, marked in two colours: yellow-orange and yellow-blue. The route is mostly shaded and very pleasant in the Poitevin marshes!

An easy hike that takes you along the levees created four centuries ago by man to protect the drained marshes from river flooding. You will walk through a landscape entirely created by man, with plantations of pollarded or topped ash trees and rows of trees (poplars) lining the canals.We are in the wet marsh: the route may be impassable in late autumn and winter on a small section. (see practical information).