The Argentay hill

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Verchers-sur-Layon has an unusual history, comprising 15 hamlets, some of which are actual villages. It was formed in 1818 by the merger of three parishes: Saint-Just, Saint-Pierre and La Lande. This union was marked by architectural richness, with a rather exceptional heritage (the church of Saint-Just, the châteaux of Échuilly and Bussy-Fontaine, etc.) and renowned wine-growing.
A journey through the heart of the vineyards.

Details

n°945160
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 41 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 32 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 89 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 54 m
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Photos

Hiking on the Argentay hill

Description of the walk

Departure: From Verchers-sur-Layon, drive to Argentay, 3 km from the village, and park near the chapel.

Yellow markings.

(S/E) From the starting point, turn left onto Rue de la Chapelle and continue to the crossroads.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the path. Turn left and then immediately right onto the trail.

(2) On the next path, turn left, then take the path on the right that goes around the lake.

(3) Return to the road and turn right immediately. Turn right again onto the path and then left. Pass the Moulin de Mézière, follow the path to the crossroads and cross to continue straight ahead.

(4) After the crossroads, take the first path on the left. Follow it to the road, then turn left and immediately right.

(5) At the end of the path, turn left. Follow the path to the road. Follow the road to the bend at the entrance to Argentay.

(6) Turn right onto a small path. Follow the path. Turn right, left and then right again. Follow this path, without turning off, until you reach the road and turn right.

(7) Take the first path on the left, then turn left. Continue straight ahead until you reach the road at Arthenay.

(8) Turn left and follow the road to the crossroads. Turn left and then immediately right. Follow the path and then turn right to join the road (Rue des Noyers).

(9) On the road, turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the chapel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 68 m - The Chapel of Argentay
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 65 m - Opposite the crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.15 - alt. 58 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.06 - alt. 56 m - Path on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.35 - alt. 73 m - Path on the left
  6. 5 : km 4 - alt. 74 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.64 - alt. 73 m - Turn right onto a small path
  8. 7 : km 6.09 - alt. 69 m - Path on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.21 - alt. 71 m - Arthenay
  10. 9 : km 7.86 - alt. 72 m - Rue des Noyers, on the left
  11. S/E : km 8.19 - alt. 68 m - The Chapel of Argentay

Notes

Worth a visit

Along the route
- The chapel of Argentay.
- The view over the village and the collegiate church of Le Puy-Notre-Dame.
- The vineyards of the "Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame" and "Coteaux du Layon" appellations.

Nearby
- Saint-Just Church.
- The collegiate church and village of Le Puy-Notre-Dame.
- The Cave Vivante du Champignon in Sanziers.
- The many places to visit in Doué-la-Fontaine (5km).

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
bosse.claude
bosse.claude

A very beautiful walk starting from a lovely chapel and passing through a large vineyard.

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kartavan
kartavan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike through the vineyards with a beautiful view of Puy Notre Dame.

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bosse.claude
bosse.claude

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. One section needs a little clearing of grass.

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bernard61
bernard61
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk through the vineyards, some areas not maintained in May, tall grass.
Very beautiful view of the village of Puy Notre Dame.

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Soizic.B
Soizic.B

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your walk in overcast weather, and that's just as well, as there are many areas to explore in full sun, which isn't really my thing.

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balou17
balou17

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Uninteresting route, just a simple walk through the vineyards.

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kikijcl49
kikijcl49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike: done in pleasant weather. Beautiful discovery of the vineyard. Superb views of Puy Notre-Dame.

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Compo19
Compo19

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, accessible and without any particular difficulties. A superb panoramic view, especially of the Collegiate Church of Le Puy-Notre-Dame. Highly recommended.

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eric_animation
eric_animation

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your hike

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si il vie
si il vie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Done on a rainy day during the week, so no hikers.
Accompanied by three dogs, who had a good run about as there was little traffic.
This route may seem monotonous, but it's ideal for getting a breath of fresh air in the countryside, and during this health crisis, it's very nice not to have to wear a mask.
An easy route with little elevation gain, I did it walking with a crutch.

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Patmarinier
Patmarinier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Great for sightseeing but monotonous route.

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Oursons Randonneurs
Oursons Randonneurs

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

For the first hike of the year, despite the monotony of the route, it wasn't too difficult, with pleasant paths to walk on (no gravel paths!). Not too much tarmac, as far as I can remember... We gave the walk a score of 12/20... It is featured in the booklet "Les incontournables balades à pied Pays de la Loire / Maine et Loire" (Must-see walks in the Pays de la Loire / Maine-et-Loire) published by the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Natural Park... (Chamina Editions).
We found the starting point easily... (this is for the hiker below, "artalemay") => but we had the aforementioned booklet!

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artalemay
artalemay

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This hike was very well marked, given that we were following official markings... However, it would be good to specify that the Argentay chapel is 3 km from the village of Les Verchers-sur-Layon (we had to search a little for the starting point) and the last path leading to Rue des Noyers is in poor condition.

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