Sunday 8th May
43km. Starting point at “Bois Tiffrais” (Monsireigne)
The “Bois Tiffrais” is the centre of Protestantism in the Vendee. There is a museum here to testify that.
After the first crossing of “the Grand Lay” (which is still small!), the route then passes close to the
“Château du Fief Milon”. Work first started on this building in the XIV century.
You then reach the walking paths of “Boupère” and after crossing “La Maison Neuve” (you reach the
refreshment station), “La Rue” and La Pélissonnière”, you see a beautiful chateau.
You will then begin to cross the forest with the same name. Wide alleyways and footpaths alternate until
you reach “Chêne Besson”. You will then walk 2km by farm road until you reach “Prieuré de Grammont”
for the second refreshment station.
Founded around 1200, the “Prieuré” was occupied by the monks for a long time. It then became an
agricultural building for a period of time, but now it has been restored and regularly hosts music shows or
exhibitions.
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28km. Starting point at “Reillauderies” (St. Prouant)
Here you join up with the walkers attempting 28 km in heading towards “La Roche Batiot” to descend
down again to “Le Grand Lay”, before rising up to the village of “Monsireigne” and down towards the
river again. An archway allows you to enter into “Libaudière”, once a water mill but now just a mill.
However, rest assured your third refreshment station will offer you something different than flour!
After that you will walk through the fields, up to the farm of “La Gaudinière”.
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20 km. Starting point at “La Louraie” (Monsereigne)
The route takes you through “Le Cudet”. This hamlet housed up to 30 people in the 19th century. Ruins
are all you can see today.
You will then leave the hamlet by a rocky path which leads through a plateau to the village of
“Sigournais” for a classic stop at the much admired “Vieux Chateau”.
This building was started in 1000. A local historical association use it to perform a Light and Sound
show.
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13km. Starting point at “Sigournais”
The walk starts (for some) and continues (for others) with a loop on the footpaths of “Sigournais”.
You will then enter the boundaries of “Chantonnay”, passing “Le Lavoir” of “St. Mars des Prés”.
9km. Starting point at “St. Mars des Prés”
This is where you meet the walkers of the shortest route of 8 km.
A beautiful sloping path climbs up to “Puysault” for your last refreshment station.
The “Chemin de Charlemagne” and the plain will be the last sights you'll enjoy for 2016. Finally crossing
the town before arriving at “Clemenceau Parc”.