Villiers-en-Plaine walks

A walk through plains and hills with beautiful scenery and a view of a viaduct over the Autise.

A route that follows the River Autize, passes near Château des Moulières, then takes a footpath and reaches the village of Tourteron via agricultural tracks. After a detour to the fountain and wash house in Tourteron, the walk continues across the plain dotted with wind turbines, then follows or runs alongside an old railway line, passes under a viaduct and returns along the meadows bordering the Autize to the Moulin de Dray before climbing back up to Saint-Pompain.

Starting from the Champ de Foire car park, near the Salle Polyvalente, you’ll climb up to the heights of Benet before reaching Port d’Aziré via a small road offering panoramic views over the cereal fields, then return via the Plaine de Pierre Plate and the hamlet of Villeneuve.

From the ruins of the old fortified castle, passing by the Church of Sainte-Eulalie (a listed historic monument), follow the Peux, a network of small footpaths with evocative names: Peu des Demoiselles, Peu des Ânesses, Peu de chez Gognar, Peu de Gâte-Bourse… you will discover the village of Benet, which stretches across two hills crossed by Rue de la Combe, beneath which flows the Vrizon.

You can admire the Romanesque church of Sciecq before crossing the Sèvre Niortaise on a chain boat. You will then see the Château de Mursay, where Françoise d'Aubigné was raised, before walking along a shaded path overlooking the river. In the village of Surimeau, you will cross the Sèvre again at the Moulin d'Âne and take the Chemin des Pêcheurs between the Sèvre and the Bois des Touches to reach the Moulin de Compéré before heading back up towards Chantemerle and returning to the starting point. Please note: the chain boat will be removed on Friday 8 September 2023 for maintenance. It will probably not be put back until the end of March next year, except perhaps for Heritage Days. (information from town staff) There is no alternative crossing available...

A pleasant walk offering beautiful views.

A pleasant walk starting from Béceleuf, with its Romanesque church, exploring the Autize Valley with its dovecotes, castles and manor houses, not to mention the numerous wash houses and mills in this area rich in heritage and nature, such as the Chêne de Pouzay. As you walk, be sure to look out for the Gâtine barriers, reminders of the past.

A circular route along little-used paths that will take you through fields, wooded countryside and meadows, to the source of the Doré via the village of Dilay, with its narrow streets, castle and wash house.

During this hike, you will discover numerous fountains and wash houses, of course, but also the castle and park of Dilay, the Doré, Saumort and Autize valleys, the Pouzay house and dovecote, the Chaillot arboretum and perhaps... La Galipote.

You will first follow the right bank of the Sèvre Niortaise to the Pont de Gué Moreau. There, you will take theGR®36, which will lead you back to the Château de Coudray-Salbard. Following a shaded path, you will climb up behind the château to the hamlet of Le Peu, reaching the Fontaine Braye. Continuing along theGR®, you will walk through a cool, lush valley. As you climb back up onto the plateau, you will leave theGR® and return to Ternanteuil to reach the car park where you started.

Mélusine accompanies you near her castle in Coudray-Salbart, along the peaceful banks of the Sèvre Niortaise, towards old hamlets and ancient dwellings with imposing dovecotes.

This route follows the cycle path along the Sèvre Niortaise, from La Roussille to Magné, then returns via the Marais de Peigland and Marais de Saint-Rémy to the village of La Tiffardière, near the starting point.

A short circular route that follows a cycle path along part ofthe GR®36, heading up the Sèvre Niortaise to the bridge on Boulevard Willy Brandt, and returning to the Roussille lock via the opposite bank and then through the village of Saint-Liguaire.

Circular route comprising half small roads and half tracks. Four fords that are dry in summer and shallow in winter (no deeper than the top of a horse’s legs). There are opportunities for three or four gallops on decent tracks. Half of the ride is in the shade.

Walking along the Rigole d'Aziré to the Courdault canal, then returning via the Marais des Nattes, you may spot some nutria, purple herons or lapwings, and perhaps even a deer or two.

This is an easy, short walk that allows you to discover the wild side of the Green Venice. In the heart of nature, you will always be close to the water, in the shade of pollarded ash trees and poplars. And you may even be lucky enough to spot some nutria or deer.

This route will take you past six wash houses located in the towns of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize and Ardin. You will also discover an old kiln, a marble quarry and the large chimney (a remnant of the lime kilns) in Coulonges-sur-l'Autize.

South-west of the Gâtine Parthenaise, starting from Coulonges-sur-l'Autize, this hike takes you from the plains of southern Vendée to the more hilly Gâtine Parthenaise, from farmland to bocage.

During this walk, you’ll discover the Renaissance castle of Coulonges and its grounds. You’ll pass the old railway station (now privately owned). After a stroll through the countryside, you’ll come across the Logis de Magné and the wash house, as well as the chimney of the old lime kiln. Return to the village of Coulonges via the church, a former washhouse (Rue de l’Épargne), a small square built on the site of a former restaurant, and then the town’s covered market.

Taking the cycle paths and theGR®36via Belle Île, you will follow the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise and the Noron lake. Numerous vegetable gardens and beautiful residences line part of this route.

This route follows paths that run alongside the Autise and Saumort rivers in the heart of unspoilt countryside. Very pleasant in fine weather, some sections of these paths can sometimes be flooded or difficult in wet weather.

A route close to the river with beautiful shaded paths.

A boat trip on the Green Venice towards Coulon.

A pleasant walk around the Autize valley offering beautiful views and varied landscapes. The village of Xaintray and its hamlets feature many renovated old houses, lending the village a certain charm. Gorre Castle and the wash houses complete the built heritage. The Autize and Chancelée valleys are areas of unspoilt natural beauty.

A circular route that takes you from sunny country lanes to shaded paths and tracks on either side of the Autize valley. The footbridge known as the ‘planche de la route’, which spans the Autize at the bottom of the Rousillon woods, has been swept away by the floods of recent weeks. Xaintray Town Hall (20 March 2024)

Beautiful views and a few wash houses enhance this route, the first part of which is shared with the Logis de Pichenin trail.

A pleasant hike in hilly terrain around the Egray River and its tributaries. It offers beautiful landscapes and allows you to discover a rich heritage of ancient buildings (Château de la Pimpelière, houses, farm buildings, etc.). The natural heritage is not to be outdone, with the Planche de Rochard and the Rochers de la Chaise, for example.

Circuit in the middle of the Poitevin marshes, following the Sèvre Niortaise between Magné and Coulon on the way back.

Starting from Coulon, you will walk along the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise for more than 5 km to reach the village of Magné, which you will cross to reach the Epineaux marsh and return to your starting point.

A short walk near Les Fichères along lovely shaded paths, offering beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

A pretty, hilly route, mainly shaded, which leads through the countryside between three rivers, from the village of Fourbeau to Les Ritraisses via two different paths.

An easy, safe and peaceful round trip walk through the marshes and along the banks of the Sèvre. Whatever the season, you will enjoy the peace and quiet, the flora and fauna, and discover the market gardens and the beautiful local cows. Along the banks of the Sèvre, you can admire the traditional "maraîchines" farmhouses.