Sainte-Florence (Vendée) walks

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Rochard is a tourist village located in the commune of Mortagne-sur-Sèvre. The village has picnic areas and is crossed by the Sèvre river.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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