Where Can You Observe Wildlife and Flora During a Walk in Vendée?

In Vendée, you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to discover remarkable landscapes and enjoy nature. Whether you set off for a short stroll, a pleasant family walk, or a longer hike, the hiking trails in Vendée offer a wide variety of routes, paths, and itineraries suitable for all levels. On foot or by bike, for a few kilometers or an entire day, it all depends on your mood… and your pace.

Walking at Your Own Pace and Opening Your Eyes

For Beginners

For those who enjoy easy walks, flat trails, and small country paths, Vendée is an ideal destination for peaceful exploration. The Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park is often a first favorite. Around Maillezais, Bouin, or along the Sèvre Nantaise River, the walking trails are flat, well laid out, and perfect for a family outing. You cross marshlands, rivers, and wetlands while observing rich wildlife and plant life along the water.

Walks around lakes are also ideal for beginners. Lake Jaunay, Lake Graon in Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon, and Lake Piquet offer short, often circular walking routes, providing a true moment of calm in the heart of a preserved natural setting.

Varying Landscapes and Atmospheres

For Enthusiasts

If you enjoy walking longer distances and covering several kilometers, Vendée becomes a fantastic playground. Coastal trails are among the must-see routes. Between Jard-sur-Mer, Pointe du Payré, Veillon Beach in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, Mine Beach, Longeville-sur-Mer, Brem-sur-Mer, La Tranche-sur-Mer, and Les Sables d’Olonne or Olonne-sur-Mer, hiking paths run along the Atlantic Ocean, crossing dunes and forests and offering superb views over the coastline and sandy beaches.

Inland, the Vendée bocage reveals another side of the region. Around Chantonnay, Pouzauges, the Pays de Yon area, or near Puy du Fou, hiking trails alternate between woods, rivers, rolling hills, and charming villages. The Mervent Forest, a true natural reserve, is an ideal place for beautiful hikes in Vendée, surrounded by preserved nature.

Fully Immersing Yourself in Nature

For Experienced Walkers

Hikers looking for longer routes, varied terrain, and full-day walks will also find plenty to enjoy. The Mervent Forest is a must-see site, with its hiking trails, wooded passages, varied relief, and points of interest along the river. The Forest Trail is particularly appreciated for its total immersion and tranquility.

The Vendée islands also offer unique experiences. On the island of Noirmoutier, between salt marshes, the Bois de la Chaise, harbors, villages, and coastal paths, the diversity of landscapes is remarkable. The island of Yeu, wilder in character, offers spectacular hikes between cliffs, ocean-battered shores, and inland trails.

In Vendée, you don’t need to be a seasoned hiker to discover remarkable scenery and enjoy nature. Whether it’s a short stroll, a family walk, or a longer hike, Vendée’s trails offer a wide variety of routes suited to all levels. On foot or by bike, for a few kilometers or a full day, it all depends on your desire… and your rhythm.

Exploring Vendée at Your Own Pace

Taking the Time

What makes walking in Vendée so special is its ability to adapt to everyone. Easy hikes, walking circuits, long-distance routes, forest strolls, or coastal paths: there is always a Vendée itinerary to fully enjoy nature and its landscapes.

Here, walking isn’t just about counting distance or time. It’s about slowing down, exploring, observing, and letting Vendée’s natural beauty do the rest.

Around Brétignolles-sur-Mer, Near Our Hotel

For walkers and runners staying at Logis Hôtellerie Les Brisants in Brétignolles-sur-Mer, several options are available right from the starting point. Heading toward the coast, facing the restaurant, if you turn left, you’ll follow a trail with some elevation, dunes, wooded areas, and ocean views. Turning right leads to a flatter route, ideal for a peaceful stroll, a gentle walk, or a ride on foot or by bike.

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