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Le Bernard walks
Menhirs and Dolmens of Le Bernard
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.
Tour of Lake Finfarine
Enjoyable walk around the Finfarine dam lake in Poiroux (85) with numerous shaded paths.
Two circuits are available:
- a short 7 km circuit,
- a long 9 km circuit.
Lac du Graon
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).
La Pointe du Payré
A short hike for lovers of unspoilt nature.
Dune, forest, Veillon marsh
Hike along the dunes, forest and marshes. A biotope waiting to be discovered.
The Piquet and Pierre aux Fées valleys
Two unique and very different valleys: Piquet with its granite chaos and the darker and more peaceful Pierre aux Fées.
Walk from Nesmy Pottery to Rambourg
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
Tinouze trail in Les Clouzeaux
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.
From Puits d'Enfer to Cayola
A hike along the Atlantic coast, from Les Sables d'Olonne to Château d'Olonne. In all seasons, preferably during days of high tides, to admire the surf at Puits d'Enfer.
From Saint-Clément-des-Baleines to Portes-en-Ré
A pleasant walk that begins with a passage through a nature reserve (salt marshes and nature reserve - the main refuge for many migratory birds from November to May) and then continues through the "petit bois de trousse chemise" (small wood) beloved by Aznavour. The return trip along the beach to the whale lighthouse offers a complete change of scenery. Sumptuous panorama from the top of the lighthouse.
The wild coast, the Conche des Baleines and the Saint-Clément marshes
This easy circular will give you a glimpse of the four main landscapes on Île de Ré: a somewhat wild rocky coastline, a large sandy beach, the salt marshes for which this part of the island is famous, and finally the agricultural sector, mainly early potatoes and vines. Along the way, you can admire the unmissable Phare des Baleines lighthouse, the watchtower of Île de Ré.
Tour of the Loix peninsula
Best enjoyed in winter in the sunshine, without the crowds of tourists.
This hike can also be extended by about 1.5 km via the eastern part of Loix, Le Clénandré.
There are no difficulties or pitfalls, and everything is well signposted. Much of the route can also be covered by bicycle.
Much of the route is on a dyke where you will have a beautiful view of the sea and the barnacle geese in season.
From the Fier to the sea at Ars-en-Ré
A magnificent walk around Ars en Ré. From the banks of the Fier, pass through the salt marshes to reach the Martray sea wall, the Combe à l'Eau forest and return to the Fier and the port of Ars.
The black and white bell tower, which serves as a landmark for local sailors, is always in view.
From Les Pâtis to Les Fontenelles
From La Roche-sur-Yon to Venansault, along shaded paths through meadows, woods and streams. From town to countryside in just a few steps...
The Rambourg Mill, departing from La Roche-sur-Yon
A cycle route to discover the countryside around La Roche-sur-Yon, among hedgerows, ponds and rivers.
The Moulin Papon Lake dam, via the large Rivoli Park
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.
The Bois des Girondins and the Moulin Papon from the Annexe
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.
From Place Napoléon to the extraordinary vegetable garden
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.
Venansault via Fontenelles Abbey
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.
The Fier d'Ars-en-Ré
After passing through the small village of Ars-en-Ré with its typical narrow streets, you will follow the Fier d'Ars to the ocean. You will then finish your walk by following the beach back to the starting point.
On the Loix-en-Ré peninsula
The smallest village and port on the Île de Ré, in the heart of the salt marshes. A very peaceful peninsula, bordered to the east by the Fosse de Loix and to the west by the Fier d'Ars. The small village of Loix is very lively in summer.
Saint-Martin-de-Ré heritage trail
This tour invites you to discover the rich history of Saint-Martin-de-Ré through the heritage signage of the Pays d'art et d'histoire de l'Île de Ré (heritage service of the Community of Communes). Through these monuments and unmissable sites, you will discover the many facets of this town, which will reveal some of its secrets.
Explore the old town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Architectural tour of the old town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire de l'Île de Ré (heritage service of the Île de Ré Community of Communes).
The Paon du Jour trail in Venansault
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.
The green valley of Marillet in La Chaize-le-Vicomte
A walk through a charming little valley. The start has a medieval feel, as you walk along the old ramparts and the fortified church of Saint-Nicolas. Once you reach the valley, nature quickly takes over, with numerous dragonflies accompanying you on your journey, including damselflies with metallic blue wings, scarlet dragonflies and other cordulégastres.
The Tour du Lac du Jaunay
A beautiful hike around Lac du Jaunay, an unmissable destination in the Pays des Achards. It is a preserved and protected natural area covering 114 hectares.
The starting point is at La Baudrière. The route runs along both banks and crosses the dam next to the water plant near La Savarière.