Circuit around Moulin Papon

de fr

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

Details

n°2029
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 66 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 54 m
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Photos

The Moulin-Papon reservoir
House overlooking the lake
The Moulin-Papon lake
The sailing base

Description of the walk

Park your vehicle in the sailing school car park.

From the car park, head towards the dam and cross it. After the dam (1) turn left on the path along the lake.
Pass by a road on the right. The path turns 90° to the right (2) and meets a small road at a stream. (3) Turn left, cross a stream and immediately after take the path on the left. Follow this path taking care to stay on the banks of the lake. We pass near the hamlet of Grassouillère. Cross back across a small stream (4) and turn left on the path along the bank. Pass by the village of Chevalerie on your right.
The path meets a road at a bridge over a road to the left. (5) Cross it to reach the side opposite and at the end of the bridge (6) turn left, facing south, onto the Entre Vie et Yon GRP. Reach a boating centre. (7) Cross the road an take the path opposite that leads to the sailing school and the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 57 m - Sailing school car park - Barrage de Moulin-Papon (La Roche-sur-Yon)
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 57 m - At the end of the dam, turn left - Lac de Moulin Papon (Vendée)
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 56 m - Turn right at 90° and join a road
  4. 3 : km 1.82 - alt. 58 m - Turn left and cross a stream
  5. 4 : km 3.01 - alt. 60 m - Cross a small stream and turn left
  6. 5 : km 4.91 - alt. 58 m - Cross the bridge over the - Yon (rivière) à finaliser
  7. 6 : km 5.03 - alt. 58 m - At the end of the bridge, turn left
  8. 7 : km 7.21 - alt. 56 m - Cross the road and take the path opposite
  9. S/E : km 8.83 - alt. 57 m - Sailing school car park

Worth a visit

Sailing school and boating centre at the lake.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
lojp17
lojp17

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, easy walk, always along the lake and pleasant even in the height of summer as there is plenty of shade.
It was busy (mountain bikers, walkers, runners) as we went on a Sunday morning, but not too much.
Thanks for the suggestion.

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Phil006
Phil006

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The route was completed on a Friday, so there were few people around
Relatively flat and shaded route, so very good

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Papybou
Papybou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A little damp at this time of year but passable

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Papybou
Papybou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Few people at that time

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Jmb75
Jmb75

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a bit long because we started from the RSY, so it's an extra 6km. It's impossible to make a mistake, so we had to check the route on the app from time to time, but frankly it's within everyone's reach. Lunch on the grass before setting off again. A lovely walk.

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thierryxm
thierryxm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk around the lake, with no particular difficulty

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phil 37
phil 37

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very pleasant walk with no difficulties

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thierryxm
thierryxm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk around the lake
No particular difficulty
Highly recommended

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lesredoux
lesredoux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

easy circuit

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bobetmichemiche
bobetmichemiche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant route, a little hilly in places but no major difficulties.

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Philippe Guerry
Philippe Guerry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We completed this trail with our family in 2 hours 50 minutes.
The path is slightly uneven in places but mostly flat and shady. We will do it again in another season as we enjoyed the scenery.

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quinquin44
quinquin44

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very easy walk.
We did it in the morning in the opposite direction to the one suggested.
The picnic tables are very shady (between 1 and 2).
Well done

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sined85
sined85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Walk on 05/10/2017 in the morning: very pleasant with the mist coming off the lake.
For the route, you can start from anywhere, as you just have to walk along the stretch of water.
My friends and I started at Moulin Neuf to avoid the traffic jams at the entrance to La Roche sur Yon.
A 9 km ride in 1 hour 45 minutes.

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Damien85670
Damien85670

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very easy walk. Very little change in altitude. Wide, easy path. Allow two and a half hours for a leisurely walk. Done with our two children, aged 6 and 9.

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michel64
michel64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
A useful walk in hot weather, as three quarters of it is in the shade.
Pleasant and without difficulty.
Michel

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