Walking and Cycling Holidays in the Vendée
Gîtes Les Chaffauds are set in an amazing landscape of rolling hills and sweeping valleys, with lakes and rivers criss-crossing the countryside. An ideal starting point for nature lovers, walkers and cyclists.
There is a network of sign-posted routes nearby taking in medieval towns, pathways around lakes and reservoirs and trackways through forests. The area is dotted with interesting architecture such as windmills on hill tops and viaducts over river valleys and then there are the fields of golden sunflowers in summer and the secret paths through ancient woodlands, where you might meet wild boar or deers!
Our local tourism office in association with The Vendée Bocage has produced several very informative website pages dedicated to walkers, cyclists and horse riders who would like to explore the area.
For those who like to explore the cultural or natural history of the Vendée, there are several Geocaching routes that can be downloaded onto your smartphone - a great family activity! Information can be picked up at the tourism office in Chantonnay.
If you like horse riding, then there are over 300km of routes to explore - either on horseback or by pony and trap.
For cycling enthusiasts, there are over 1000km of routes in the Vendée. Bike hire (including all accessories) can be arranged with a local company - with bikes being delivered and collected from your holiday cottage. If you bring your own bikes with you, then we have plenty of space to store them for you!
An activity for all seasons!
Everyone loves visiting The Vendee in summer - with its lovely green landscapes and welcoming beaches, but the off-season can be just as rewarding!
In winter we have thousands of migratory birds visiting our lakes and Wetland Areas - we have seen ibis, lapwings, storks, swans and many more.
In spring there are many organised walks with local associations - such as the ‘Les 4 jours de Randonnée’ organised in Chantonnay, where over 10,000 walkers from around the world come together to enjoy a choice of over 20 different walks - including a nocturnal walk!
Our reservations are managed by
Annette Khan (EI)
Vendée Holiday Cottages
Gîtes Les Chaffauds, 18 rue Ecoliers, 85110 Sainte Cécile, France
Tel: 00 33 (0)2 51 28 43 98
Mobile: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74
WhatsApp: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74
Siret: 530 1149 66 00019