Heart of the Vendée

Automatic translation

Have you explored the coasts of the Vendée, the northern coast and its pretty wild and surprising islands? The southern coast, its seaside resorts and its Marais Poitevin? Now, let's meet in middle ground! Here we are in the heart of Vendée, a region full of pastures, nature and heritage. We are going to show you that the Vendée still has many magical places to explore! Follow you in the heart of Vendée, in La Roche-sur-Yon which is surrounded by small nuggets, for who knows and likes to browse far from the main tourist axes...

Commequiers

Commequiers is famous for its magnificent and surprising feudal castle. It is as if placed on water and its enclosure set with 8 stone towers is very astonishing. You can't go inside, but if you are around on July 14 or August 15, a very beautiful medieval spectacle takes place at the castle which is exceptionally open. Nearby, a playground for children to let off steam! If you like fun sports (and you have good calves!), Head for 20 km on a draisine along the Commequiers vélorail. Up to 5 people can embark on these machines, which roll along an old railway see (disused, of course).

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Apremont

It is a " Small town of character " perched on a rocky outcrop, with a beautiful heritage to discover and at its feet, the beautiful forest of Aizenay (450 hectares of nature). The city as we see it dates from the 11th century, but traces of much older occupations have been found, which date back to the Phoenicians, 13th centuries BC.

• The Château d'Apremont is located at the top of the town, which it overlooks. First a stronghold in the 11th century, it was then a castle in the 16th century, under the leadership of Philippe Chabot de Brion. In the 18th century, however, it was severely damaged and today we can only admire the ramparts and towers. Go to the castle terrace to enjoy the most beautiful view of the surroundings.
  
  
• In season, meet at the Moulin à Elise d'Apremont on Sunday, to enjoy a fascinating visit made by volunteers, who will tell you the story of this beautiful, fully restored 19th century complex.
  
  
• You can go fishing on Lake Apremont, but also on La Vie, even if difficult to access, it is full of fish and offers the contemplation of many species of birds. The shores of the lake turn into a beach and leisure center for the whole family in summer.
  
  

The Poiré-sur-Vie

In the Pays Vie and Boulogne, it is a small town crossed by La Vie (the river!). Well placed village, it is a calm and nice place as a holiday base, you are between the marshes, the nearby ocean and the Vendée bocage to discover, not to mention La Roche-sur-Yon not far away.

• A link with discovery walks in the town of Poiré-en-Vie (fr).
  
  
• In Lucs-sur-Boulogne, about ten kilometers away, is the Historial de la Vendée, a beautiful museum in a modern setting, which traces the entire history of the Vendée. Take the opportunity to take a tour of the Parc du Lac de la Boulogne, there are several trails and the Petit Luc chapel.
  
  
• 15 km away, in the village of Saint-Denis-la-Chevasse, fans of stoves will be happy to visit the Museum of Kitchen Utensils which counts no less than 1,500 objects.

Coëx

15 km from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and its beaches, inland, Coëx is a peaceful town with a lake for walks and a municipal garden (which once was very pretty, but in progress renovation), the Jardin des Olfacties. 4km away, visit the Moulin des Gourmands, one of the few mills in Vendée that you can visit to understand how it works and the miller's work.

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The Achards

Agriculture has long been the most flourishing economic activity in the Achards region. This is still the case, but thanks to an attractive geographical location not far from the coast, quieter and with a beautiful natural heritage, tourism develops there in summer. The Lac du Jaunay is a place that appeals to families, you can practice nautical activities without motor, fishing, picnics and hiking in the surroundings.

Les Achards is an agricultural region with pretty trails and green tourism

The rock on yon

La Roche-sur-Yon is in the heart of Vendée, it is the most populous municipality in the department with an urban area of nearly 120,000 inhabitants. It is an economic, student and dynamic area. As for tourism, this city created under the Napoleon's impetus in the 19th century is not devoid of interest. You will enjoy going shopping there and why not stay there to see a show at the Roche-sur-Yon theater or a sporting event? Take a stroll around Place Napoléon in the city center, to see the famous mechanical bestiary " Les Animaux de la place " produced by the company La Machine. You can operate the sculptures with joysticks!

La Roche-sur-Yon is an important stopover for horse lovers, who can visit the Haras de la Vendée, a large park run by the Department of Vendée, to learn more about the training of horses, their daily care and how are the working sessions organized to set up equestrian shows. As a continuation of this visit, why not attend a horse race at the Terres-Noires racecourse in La Roche-sur-Yon?

• Another nice park to walk in La Roche-sur-Yon: The urban park of Oudairies, the parks of Alluchon and Rivoli for cycling or walking by the water.
  
  

Around La Roche-sur-Yon, discover the Yon Valley, for hiking and walking. In the Loriots garden , at Chaos du Piquet, there are also interactive walks (fr), set up by the Tourist Office.

Near La Roche-sur-Yon, La Chaize le Vicomte, where you can visit the Charles Payraudeau museum.

In Chaillé sous les Ormeaux, the garden of the Maison des Libellules, for lovers of biodiversity and permaculture. It is not far from many hiking departures to the Yon Valley.

The Moulin de Rambourg is located in Nemsy, it is a place open to the public, where to discover the work of the Miller. In Nemsy, take advantage of the Château park, which is open in summer for guided tours.

Mouchamps

It is a commune labeled “ Petite Cité de Caractère ”, which is to say it's cute! Well located to then shine in the surroundings, Mouchamps at the edge of its small stream is a rural place, conducive to quiet walks in the Vendée nature. Bocage landscapes, pretty bourgeois houses, the town is flowered (and rewarded with 2 flowers for that). A little higher up, located on a rocky escarpment, it is a postcard town, which also appeals to painters. You will find there a branch of the tourist office in season, to organize your walks around the town and find out more about the heritage. In the town of Mouchamps, is the tomb of Georges Clémenceau and his father. They are extremely simple, in accordance with their will.

  

Chantonnay

We are getting closer to the tourist epicenter of the region: Le Puy du Fou. We are in the Pays de Chantonnay, a green territory with a small heritage to discover and religious buildings. You can practice many sports in the town and its neighborhood, starting with walking because there are many well marked trails. A walk in the village The circuit of Puybelliard from alleys to alleys, will allow you to learn more about Chantonnay, by means of information panels . Meet at Lac de Touchegray to walk, swim and practice water sports in summer. There were 5 lime kilns in Chantonnay, which made it possible, thanks to the coal present in the soil (coal), to transform the local stone into lime, an activity requiring a lot of resources, but precious because lime is a solid binder and research.

• Click to see a tourist map of the Pays de Chantonnay region (fr), with a description of the walks and heritage elements to discover.
  
  
• Take a walk in Parc de l'Auneau, which enjoys a beautiful panoramic view

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Avrillé

South of the heart of Vendée, Avrillé is not far from the ocean, nor from the bocage, it has been a popular place for thousands of years, as evidenced by the 9 megaliths present in the town, including the largest of Vendée! Stroll through the village to admire the small heritage, the wash houses, the old well, but also the Halles, the Saint-Pierre church. Children and puzzle lovers will be happy to go to the Château des Aventuriers, for a day of adventures in the heart of the history of the region. A great way to have fun and learn.

Megalith of Avrillé

Not far away is Mareuil-sur-Lay-Dissais, also inhabited since the dawn of time, where remains in bronze and polished stone have also been found. Located on the Lay, there is a pretty stone bridge at the foot of the village, which once housed a fortified castle. Today, we come for the proximity of the ocean and the Poitevin marshes… We also come for the wine, the local vineyard produces the Vin du Pays Mareuillais which carries with it the traces of this very sunny and well irrigated region on the slopes of the Lay. We know the reds and rosés well, a little less the whites. Take the opportunity to travel the wine route and meet the winegrowers, download the map of the Mareuil wine route (fr).