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

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.

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. The tour starts in the commune of La Ferrière and continues through 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.

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

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 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.

The banks of the Sèvre Nantaise between the Bois de la Barbinière and the Moulin Guy

A beautiful hike with a few very small roads in the first third of the route, then only paths, particularly along the banks of the Sèvre. It is part of a series of loops that allow you to explore the banks of the Sèvre.

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 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 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