Saint-André-Goule-d'Oie walks

Explore Saint-André-Goule-d'Oie along its roads and paths to discover the small villages and surrounding countryside. The Festival Committee wishes you a pleasant walk

Located at the intersection of the D137 and D160 roads, near the Quatre Chemins de l'Oie crossroads, the Hérbergement forest offers pleasant trails where you can explore the undergrowth with its variety of tree species. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a deer. Three-quarters of the route follows a trail that is clearly marked by the ONF (numbered markers).

This is a very interesting circular trail, three quarters of which runs along the banks of the Grande Maine and around the Barrage des Bultières reservoir. It often follows paths lined with gorse, broom and hawthorn hedges, which make it particularly pleasant during the spring flowering season. The topography allows you to make circular loops of varying lengths depending on your abilities.

Beautiful walk in the partly wooded hills of the Vendée.

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.

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

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.

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.

This route offers magnificent views of Tiffauges Castle, especially at the end, or what remains of it, the famous Bluebeard's Castle. It runs largely along the Sèvre Nantaise stream. Note that this route can be shortened halfway by taking the Pont de la Grossière bridge. This halves the time and distance for little legs. On the other hand, the second part is wilder and more bucolic.

Starting from Tiffauges and its feudal castle ruins, we set off along the beautiful Sèvre stream to the south of Le Longeron. The return journey is initially along small roads and then along paths again.

This hike begins with a series of small roads with no traffic and paths to Mortagne-Sur-Sèvre, then returns along the Sèvre river as much as possible, i.e. almost all the time, except at the end to return to the starting point.

This large circular route can be completed in a long day. It is part of a series of circular routes of varying lengths that allow you to discover the magnificent Sèvre Nantaise valley between Clisson and Mortagne-sur-Sèvre. This section starts at the Moulin de la Roche in the commune of Tiffauges and goes to the foot of Mortagne, returning by different paths but always favouring the banks of the Sèvre.

This is not the Calvary route, but there are many calvaries along this route between the countryside and the riverbank. The route includes as many paths as possible and a few very peaceful minor roads when there is no other choice.

Apart from the start on a small road, this short hike mainly follows both banks of the Sèvre Nantaise in a setting that I never tire of, whatever the season or time of day.

A family walk along the banks of the Sèvre Stream, one of the most beautiful rivers in this region.

Set off to explore ancient mills and the Grotte à Brunet cave along this wild trail. This 9 km walk offers many points of interest along the river. /! Due to a rockfall and the potential risk of further rockfalls, the Les Bords de Sèvre au Longeron hiking trail is closed to traffic at Gallard, between (4) and (5). This traffic ban is valid until further notice /!

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

A series of different routes allowing you to walk around the Rochereau reservoir on the River Lay.

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 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.