La Ferrière (Vendée) walks

Tour of the northern part of Lake Moulin Papon, which is wilder and more rugged than the southern part. It is not uncommon to see kingfishers, a few mallards, coots and, more rarely, geese. A detour via the hamlet of La Berthelière allows you to admire the renovated old houses, which are truly wonderful.

A tour around the artificial lake of Moulin Papon, on foot or by bike.

This is a pleasant hike that will take you through the Bois des Girondins and the outskirts of Moulin Papon. There are two more challenging sections: after crossing the bridge at Bertheliére and crossing the ford at Ruisseau des Coux. See Practical Information.

A large loop through the bocage and the town's parks, offering both natural surroundings and an urban environment with preserved biodiversity. On this route, you can admire the château in Beaupuy Park, the sunken paths lined with pollarded trees, and the park with its ponds and leisure facilities.

This loop follows a historic path and takes you past some extraordinary plants in the vegetable garden of the same name. A loop through the bocage, surrounded by meadows and hedges, this route does not present any particular difficulties. However, be careful at roundabouts and on main roads with heavy traffic.

A route to discover the large Rivoli Urban Park (5), in the shade of the trees, in a preserved biodiversity, and the Moulin Papon Lake dam (10). This lake is used to supply drinking water to the town of La Roche-sur-Yon. The water treatment plant can be seen from the dam. Seagulls and cormorants can be seen on the lake, and from the shore it is not uncommon to spot kingfishers, swallows and swifts in flight. In summer, leisure facilities are available for young and old alike.

A cycle route to discover the countryside around La Roche-sur-Yon, among hedgerows, ponds and rivers.

This is a beautiful 3-hour walk along the banks of the Vouraie reservoir. The path is very easy to follow.

A round trip to visit the two tourist sites in Nesmy: the pottery, the legacy of over a hundred years of family expertise, with guided tours organised during the school holidays; and Rambourg Mill, the last intact watermill in the Yon Valley, a magnificent mechanical world worthy of Jules Verne, which can be visited every summer and during special events. It is also possible to visit the gardens of Nesmy Castle in the summer. For visits, see practical information: La Roche-sur-Yon Tourist Office

Walk through landscaped and natural areas, along ponds, pools and rivers, enjoying remarkable diversity in the middle of a peaceful village. Along the route, you may spot grey herons, kingfishers, great spotted woodpeckers and more.

Two unique and very different valleys: Piquet with its granite chaos and the darker and more peaceful Pierre aux Fées.

In a steep-sided valley. A hike along the Lay River at a place called "Le Grand Bateau". The Lay River flows through part of the Poitevin Marshes and empties into the Atlantic Ocean between La Faute-sur-Mer and L'Aiguillon-sur-Mer.

A 13 km circuit along the edge of Lake Graon allows you to enjoy the local flora and fauna. A very varied circuit with narrow paths and woodland trails... A real treat. The circuit can be extended by small loops of around 2 km (La Renardière and Les Petites Touches).

Hike through the countryside of the commune of Le Bernard to discover six dolmens, including the largest in the Vendée (the Frébouchère dolmen), four menhirs and a Gallo-Roman tower. Information panels are provided at each site. A significant part of the circuit is on tarmac. Can also be done by mountain bike.

A short hike for lovers of unspoilt nature.

Hike along the dunes, forest and marshes. A biotope waiting to be discovered.