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Park in the Bourgenay harbour car park.
(S/E) At the bronze statue (La Dame de Bourgenay) at the edge of the jetty, walk past the harbour master's office and restaurants, then head north-east. Walk along the chapel wall, then follow the cycle path to a large road junction known as La Croisée (shops).
(1) Turn left and follow the cycle path, which goes around a first roundabout and then passes in front of a calvary. Immediately after the calvary, cross Avenue de la Mine (no protected crossing) and continue north on a small single-lane road for about 100 metres before turning onto a wide zigzag path. Cross the road through the hamlet of Beauregard and continue straight ahead, still heading north, until you reach a crossroads.
(2) Turn left and then take the middle path (north-west) a few metres further on. Stay in this direction and pass between the Pierre et Vacances ponds (golf course water reservoirs) and the water treatment plant. Cross a road and continue straight ahead on the path. Pass in front of the Grands Cailloux horse stables. Then continue downhill to the north-west until you reach the ford.
(3) There is a footbridge if the ford is impassable. Go back up the path to the next crossroads and take a small tarmac road opposite for a few hundred metres.
(4) Follow the first path on the left at the Vendée General Council sign (chemin de ronde). After about 50 metres, continue along the path on the right until you reach a crossroads. Do not take the path on the left, which leads to the Bois de Saint-Jean, but take the one on the right. After 50 metres, turn left and continue north-west through some pleasant woodland. This will take you to the edge of the road (Petit Versailles).
(5) Continue along the sandy path on the left. Stay on this marked path heading south-west. There is a lovely view of the Abbey of Saint-Jean d'Orbestier, which was renovated in 2017. Follow the road, staying on the path, then cross at the roundabout using the pedestrian crossing.
(6) Continue left along the seafront. View of Anse aux Moines. Continue on the cycle path which climbs eastwards, passing in front of the houses of Bois de Saint-Jean.
(7) Enter the woods on the right at the last property fence. Do not go deep into the woods, but stay on a small path parallel to the cycle path, which is more pleasant. Further on, rejoin the cycle path and pass in front of the Michelin-starred Cayola restaurant.
(8) Before taking the footbridge of the same name, you can enjoy the view of the bay on the right (bench). Take the footbridge, then follow the cycle path again and theGR® (red and white markings), which deviates from it at times. At the next crossroads, continue right towards the south (the cycle path continues eastwards). Follow theGR® which runs along the cliffs by the sea and descends via steps to sea level.
(9) After this passage, continue along the coast on the path protected by fences. Be careful as the end of this path is damaged (due to successive storms). The last few metres are on pebbles by the sea and you will arrive at the Mine fish ponds (car park).
(10) Continue on theGR® trail that follows the coast. There are sandy sections of varying lengths depending on the season. You can leave theGR® trail at a fork in the path.
(11) Continue straight ahead on a slightly gravelly red path or stay on theGR® along the seafront. The two paths rejoin before arriving at the port to return to the car park via a final staircase (S/E).
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Easy 
