Fontenay-le-Comte walks

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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).

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

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.

There are many pedestrian paths to discover in Mervent forest.

A very pleasant walk in the Hermenault countryside, offering a variety of landscapes ranging from plains to undergrowth and bocage.

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

This path between the "wet" and "dry" marshes, passing by a characteristic feature of the marsh (the Aqueduct), will take you from the Romanesque church to the majestic Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Maillezais.

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!

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

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).

This is an easy, short walk that allows you to discover the wild side of the Green Venice. In the heart of nature, you will always be close to the water, in the shade of pollarded ash trees and poplars. And you may even be lucky enough to spot some nutria or deer.

Walking along the Rigole d'Aziré to the Courdault canal, then returning via the Marais des Nattes, you may spot some nutria, purple herons or lapwings, and perhaps even a deer or two.

A walk in the wild marshes of Le Mazeau, criss-crossed by a multitude of canals and ditches. Here, summer and winter alike, the light is always beautiful through the poplar plantations!