La Roche-sur-Yon walks

A varied route, with some beautiful residences in the Vendée countryside. Starting from La Roche-sur-Yon, discover a route with small hamlets, a few beautiful residences, small roads and paths shaded by hedges. But also Venansault with its lakes and secret passages, far from noisy, busy roads. This short route allows you to stroll without being disturbed by traffic on the main roads.

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.

From La Roche-sur-Yon to Venansault, along shaded paths through meadows, woods and streams. From town to countryside in just a few steps...

In the middle of the Pâtis, a hike that can be done in all seasons. The name of this hike came from my imagination as I took the "grand Pâtis" path, which is outside the route. The routes are created by hikers. A pâtis is an uncultivated meadow or cattle pasture.

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 small corner of the valley that is still wild! The Yon, still modest, is mostly only visible through the trees, but what vegetation! It is a visual and auditory delight, with birds accompanying us all the way.

A circular loop through the bocage and the town's parks, combining the great outdoors with an urban environment and preserved biodiversity. Along 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. The trail markings have been reversed, so start at point 15.

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 to the hamlet of La Berthelière allows you to admire the renovated old houses, which are truly wonderful. The tour starts in the commune of La Ferrière and continues throughout the commune of Dompierre-sur-Yon.

Circular loop for hikers using buses to explore the Yonnais region. Starting from the "Berthelière" stop on line 10 between La Roche-sur-Yon and Dompierre-sur-Yon. You will visit the old village before completing the circular loop around the lake.

A walk along the Yon, with the option of visiting the Moulin de Rambourg (in summer) and the Nesmy pottery. This route starts at the "Brancaire" bus stop on line 14, but it is possible to park your car in the car park by the Yon and do the walk there and back.

Path around Nesmy along the Yon. You will discover the village of Nesmy, the Rambourg mill and some superb landscapes.

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.

A short but surprising route that takes you to the small valley of La Tinouze, a green corridor teeming with biodiversity. There are numerous educational panels dotted around La Tinouze, so keep your eyes peeled.

A walk along the banks of the Yon river to the villages of Nesmy and Chaillé Sous les Ormeaux.

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