Refine your search for walks in Montreuil (Vendée)
Montreuil (Vendée) walks
Discovering Montreuil’s heritage
Visorando Member
4.77 mi
+56 ft
-52 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Montreuil (Vendée) (Vendée)
Montreuil has preserved some traces of its past, including its Romanesque church, the courtyard gate, the Écoué porch, the homes of local dignitaries, wells, and so on. Its landscape of plains and marshes invites you to explore. The town was known as Montreuil-sur-mer until 1945, due to its former location on the edge of the Gulf of Pictons. The former gulf is now occupied by the Marais Poitevin, hence this woodcarving of a heron taking flight, the bird emblematic of wetlands. It is accompanied by the names of the hamlets within the commune: Écoué, Baude, Fraigneau.
Montreuil Marsh Trail
5.57 mi
+7 ft
-10 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Montreuil (Vendée) (Vendée)
Montreuil, in the 85 department, situated between the plains and the marshes, was once located on the shores of the Gulf of Pictons, hence its name Montreuil-sur-Mer until 1945. The commune consists of a market town and four hamlets. Thefirst part of this trail follows small roads and runs alongside three old ports where there are small jetties that once provided access by boat to the cultivated plots: these are the ports of Baude (the most visible), Écoué and, finally, Fraigneau.
The trail is marked in yellow.
Circular path in the wet marshes of Doix-lès-Fontaines
7.03 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Doix (Vendée)
An easy hike that takes you along the levees created four centuries ago by man to protect the drained marshes from river flooding. You will walk through a landscape entirely created by man, with plantations of pollarded or topped ash trees and rows of trees (poplars) lining the canals.We are in the wet marsh: the route may be impassable in late autumn and winter on a small section. (see practical information).
Around Auchay-sur-Vendée
Association / Club / Walk leader
7.19 mi
+92 ft
-92 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Auzay (Vendée)
Starting from the Eiffel-style bridge linking Auzay to Chaix (now merged into the commune of Auchay-sur-Vendée).
This route through lush countryside (steep, wooded hillsides, vast fields and meadows) will take you to the Moulin de la Boissière (in the commune of Velluire-sur-Vendée) before reaching the banks of the Vendée at the Massigny Dam.
Massigny circular route via the Auzay marshes and Les Gazettes
5.54 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Le Poiré-sur-Velluire (Vendée)
A circular route partly along the Vendée river, passing through the Marais d’Auzay: a mix of flatlands and marshland!
Urban circular in Fontenay le Comte
6.93 mi
+112 ft
-131 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Fontenay-le-Comte (Vendée)
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.
Route des Vals d'Autise
22.13 mi
+43 ft
-43 ft
3 hrs
Easy
Departure from Maillezais (Vendée)
An easy route offering a chance to explore different aspects of the Poitevin Marshes: town, farmland, meadows and its famous canals. You can stop to visit the Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Maillezais.
Around the Jeune Autise in Maillezais
6.94 mi
+46 ft
-46 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Maillezais (Vendée)
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.
From Orbrie along the Vendée
6.96 mi
+577 ft
-597 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from L'Orbrie (Vendée)
A lovely circular walk along the River Vendée and through the Mervent Forest. This circular walk will take you to the Mervent Dam, following part of the Mélusine GRP®.
The Croix des Marys and the Bazoin locks
4.73 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from La Ronde (Charente-Maritime)
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
Le Gué Verdon
6.95 mi
+240 ft
-230 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq (Vendée)
At the start, quiet country lanes with panoramic views of Fontenay-le-Comte and the surrounding countryside; then, after passing through the village of Meilleraie, shaded paths and tracks running alongside the Vendée river not far from the Albert dam, before climbing up to Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq.
Jean dôs Bois Trail
7.45 mi
+535 ft
-554 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq (Vendée)
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.
Around Pissotte
6.83 mi
+413 ft
-410 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Pissotte (Vendée)
A relatively easy hike with an initial open section along the Vendée towards Fontenay-le-Comte, then back along an old disused railway line. The second section begins with a crossing of vineyards, then immediately enters the forest with paths and trails.
Meilleraie loop to Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq
4.65 mi
+177 ft
-148 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Michel-le-Cloucq (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).
Around the Marais Boutin in Bazoin
3.26 mi
+7 ft
-7 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from La Ronde (Charente-Maritime)
A peaceful walk in the Marais Poitevin along the banks of the canals and the Sèvre Niortaise, where you will pass beautiful houses with blue shutters typical of the region.
The Sèvre Niortaise in Damvix
6.71 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
Most of the route is on wide paths, except for a section on a small wilderness trail, then a return along the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise.
The Marais de la Baronnerie from Damvix
2.76 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
A short walk through the Marais de la Baronnerie in a peaceful and relaxing setting.
The Marais Sauvage between Damvix and the River
8.04 mi
+13 ft
-13 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
A very beautiful route in the Marais Sauvage, where peace and serenity await you.
The Sentier des Rainettes in Damvix
5.60 mi
+7 ft
-10 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
Between fields and small woods, between shellfish beds, canals and the Sèvre Niortaise, this loop starting from the port of Damvix is accessible to all.Along the route, there are some lovely spots for picnics and even small restaurants by the water in Bazoin and Damvix where you can stop for a bite to eat. This walk can be continued by boat on the Sèvre Niortaise (boats can be hired at the port of Damvix). You will come across fishermen, swans, cows and ducks and hear tree frogs croaking.
The Green Venice: Damvix - Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud - Arçais
8.89 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
4h 05
Easy
Departure from Damvix (Vendée)
Relaxation and a change of scenery guaranteed! Come and enjoy the peace and quiet, the authentic landscape and the rich flora and fauna.
The Marais Poitevin, also known as the "Green Venice" for its tourist attractions, is a vast area of water and greenery where nature lovers will find peace and tranquillity along 400 km of canals.
More walks in Montreuil (Vendée)
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