Haut Bocage Vendéen

This part of the Vendée is quite different from the others. There is no coastline, so go to the northern coasts of Vendée, or to the seaside resorts in the south. The difference is the altitude! Here, we slowly leave the bocage for some hilly undulations... We gain height, we rub shoulders with small towns and villages full of charm, we visit interesting heritage sites and above all, above all, we do not forget to go take a walk or even a stay of several days at the grandiose Puy du Fou... A magical moment, a fable inspired by real events and a moment of unimaginable grace!

Rocheserviere

Municipality installed on the passage of the Boulogne river. It is an old fortified place where there was a fortified castle flanked on a hillock, to protect the city from invasions. Powerful seigneurial families settled there. There are now only a few vestiges of this period: a tower and ramparts. Formerly used for tanning, by dyers but also millers to turn mills, the river is today a pretext for pleasant activities such as fishing but also canoeing and kayaking. There is also a nautical base to rent boats and SUP! Walk around the city following the route guided by information panels (fr).

To the north east is Montaigu, an ancient royal town. Take a stroll in the ramparts park as well as on the Montaigu dike which was honored by a song, there is also the pretty Rochettes park and a leisure center not far away. If it is not yet very developed for tourism, Montaigu nevertheless remains pleasant and can become an ideal base for wandering in the region. Heading north, see the Château de Clisson, a stone fortress established at a strategic point to defend the city. We recommend the guided tour which allows you to understand the important historical context and get the most out of the visit to the castle.

• 10 km from Rocheservière, meet at the Logis de la Chabotterie, in Saint-Sulpice-le-Verdon. A superb 18th century house offered for a visit by the Department of Vendée, to better understand the great history of the Vendée War. We visit 10 rooms and a sumptuous French garden. The route and the museography are designed to please the whole family.
  

Tiffauges

Planted at the top of a hill, the Château de Tiffauges which dates from the 12th century, is also called the Château de Barbe Bleue. After many historical twists and turns since its construction, which we discover during the visit, the castle was set on fire and dismantled, then carefully restored from the 1990s, to today be one of the spearheads of tourism. In the region. Shows and activities during the school holidays for the amazement of young and old! Old games, guided tours, crossbow shots (with real arrows), shows and nightlife...

Mortagne-sur-Sèvre

There is something to do in the small town of Mortagne! Come take a train ride like you've never done before! These are authentic restored wagons for a stroll in the Vendée landscapes, on the Chemin de fer de la Vendée ! Also visit the Minerals Museum , still in Mortagne: Le mange Cailloux. Exciting for curious children, clear explanations, discoveries and beautiful colors. The Vendée Vitrail Interpretation Center (fr) will explain everything about the art, technique and history of stained glass. A beautiful collection, entertainment in season all this in the heart of the Saint-Hilaire church.

Mallievre

Mallièvre is the smallest town in the Pays de la Loire, less than 300 inhabitants over 17 ha! But it has nothing to envy to others, it is a charming "Little City of Character", labeled as such. Along the Sèvre Nantaise, it is adorned, on the hillside, with pretty stone walls, wild piles of rocks, vegetation, all with respect for vernacular and local architecture. On the outskirts of the village and along the river, paths to walk or cycle, to breathe the calm of this ancient village of weavers, dotted with springs, fountains and small washhouses. Admire the Place des Tisserands and the scenographed Maison du Tisserand to understand all its peculiarities. In summer, guided tours are organized to explore the village, discovering its little anecdotes and looking at barely visible elements...

Les Epesses and Puy du Fou

Les Epesses is 12 centuries of history, in a pretty town in the Vendée countryside. But if its name does not ring a bell, know that it is the host of one of the greatest tourist sites in Vendée and France: Le Puy du Fou ! This incredible adventure began in 1978, under the leadership of Philippe de Villiers, who was also at the origin of the Vendée Globe. In 1978, it all started with a summer show, the Cinéscénie, run by a few entertainment professionals and many local volunteers, which retraces the history of the Vendée and the Château du Puy du Fou, through a magnificent night performance. of sound and lights. It is through the audacity of the staging and the splendor of the show, the enthusiasm of the actors, that its notoriety is quickly made. We are in a hurry to come and witness this staging of History, which welcomes up to a million visitors a year, in this small quiet village in Vendée! In 1989, the Grand Parc du Puy du Fou was born and established the status of the ensemble, offering a large space with several hectares of stages, a multitude of short shows (up to 20 per day), to enjoy like scenes, like an animated book of which we devour every page. The Puy du Fou has received several times the distinction of the best amusement park in the world. The notoriety of Puy du Fou comes from its human actors but also from animals (birds of prey, horses and other furry and four-legged animals), sumptuous costumes, the creation of an exotic atmosphere, which transports the visitor into a scripted universe enchanting. The shows retrace the history of the Vendée, evoking the various territorial or ideological enemies, the wars of religion, the royalist figures, the revolts of the people. Visitors are also amazed by its fun-educational nature, a pleasant way to bring schoolchildren's books to life, because the Puy du Fou is also a park for children. There is no age to vibrate and have stars in your eyes at the sight of these costumed characters, who come alive like toys in a little one's room!

• Visit the Puy du Fou website and a word of advice: book well in advance because the show and especially the Cinéscénie are very popular!

The Cinéscénie du Puy du Fou and the shows. Photos © Puy du Fou

LES HERBIERS

Within a radius of 10km, all the destinations benefit from the notoriety of the Puy du Fou park, this is the case for Les Herbiers, which nevertheless has many charms to offer, to visitors leaving the park! In the Vendée countryside, we stroll on the trails to appreciate the natural environment or go in search of a geocaching cache. There is an Aquatic center in Les Herbiers, Cape Verde, to alleviate the heat of summer, as well as a leisure center: the game island. Enter the Château d'Ardelay without shyness to see the exhibitions, in this renovated complex with a moat and a dungeon.

Take a walk on Mont des Alouettes, where there is a forest and a small chapel, as well as trails ranging from a few kilometers to several hours of walking.

• The Chemin de Fer de la Vendée trains arrive at Les Herbiers, which you will take from Mortagne-sur-Sèvre.

Les Essarts and its castle

In the Saint-Fulgent and Essarts region, visit the Château des Essarts: a complex undergoing renovation in a large 17-hectare park, run by a team committed to bringing this place and its history to life. Stroll through the wooded park with wooden games, as well as the ruins of the castle and its ramparts, to be visited with a guide. A perfect place for a nice afternoon with the family.

Pouzauges

Pouzauges is a Small City of Character, a town which, and this is not common in Vendée, is perched at an altitude of 300m on the plateau of a green hill. Everything starts from its medieval castle (go up to admire it and see the panorama from up there), the city then developed around, taking advantage of being placed on trade routes to promote its expansion. Today, Pouzauges is a Green Station, pleasant for family vacations, for those who like to walk, take advantage of heritage elements, meet friendly locals, rest by the swimming area... Discover the The Notre Dame du Vieux Pouzauges church and in summer the Twin Windmills of the Terrier Marteau, two sail lookouts that turn with the force of the wind to help the miller to finalize his work. To admire from the outside and to visit to discover the making of flour and bread, during workshops and visits in summer.

Reaumur

Scientists and the curious who like to understand, touch, smell and see, will visit the interesting Manoir des Sciences de Réaumur. We visit the houses and the garden, but the beauty of the place is not the only pleasure, since there is a whole museography around the works and discoveries of René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, a man of science of the 18th century. We carry out experiments to understand work that is sometimes complex, but which, thanks to clever demonstrations, is simplified and popularized! Happiness for children and all those who like to take a curious look at the world.