Discover Le Tablier through its hiking trails, megaliths and traces of traditional crafts. The routes vary in length and layout: one starts in the village centre, and two are circular trails along the Yon. There are also art events, an observatory and regional offerings. This can help you decide which themes you would like to shape your stay.
Hiking trails and discoveries along the Yon
The 5 km Sentier des Mégalithes starts in the village centre and leads to the megaliths of Le Tablier and their legends. The Sentier du peuplier blanc is a 4 km circular trail along the Yon. It leads to the ruins of a spinning mill; you can also discover the granite chaos of Piquet along the route. The 10 km Sentier de l'aubépine is also a circular trail. It passes through the village centre and its surroundings, follows the Yon and takes you through villages with granite houses.
The two circular trails offer a direct comparison: the shorter Sentier du peuplier blanc links the Yon with the spinning mill ruins and the granite chaos, while the longer Sentier de l'aubépine takes in the village centre, its surroundings and the granite houses. If you would like to get your bearings with other trail names, the GR 364 and the GRP de la Loutre also pass through Le Tablier.
Traces of craftsmanship and history
At the Chaos de Piquet, you can see the buildings of a former spinning mill dating from 1861. A large waterwheel powered it for about ten years. A gable in the chaos marks the remains of an adjoining dye works. Together with the spinning mill ruins along the Sentier du peuplier blanc, these details give the theme of traditional crafts a tangible setting. The megaliths and their legends offer a different focus: they are the main feature of the Sentier des Mégalithes.
Stargazing and art
The observatory of the Centre Astronomique Vendéen is located in Les Bourbes, in the municipality of Le Tablier. The association holds free events there that are open to everyone. Its public programme includes the Nuit des étoiles in August, as well as events devoted to the spring, autumn and winter skies. If you plan to attend a specific event, check the dates in advance.
Cultur'Art also provides a regular cultural highlight: every two months, the association welcomes artists working in different styles. As a festival of fine arts, Cultur'Art promotes art in rural areas. The Grange du Tablier serves the festival year-round as a venue for exhibitions, discussion and meeting people. Alongside the trails, art and encounters are therefore also central to discovering Le Tablier.
Regional produce and cuisine
Domaine de la Vrignaie is located in the municipalities of Rosnay and Le Tablier, within the Fiefs Vendéens Mareuil AOC area. It offers individual and group tours on request. If you would like to include a visit in your plans, note that tours must be requested in advance.
La Guinguette de Piquet is a restaurant and bar in a natural setting on the banks of the Yon. It serves homemade and regional grilled meat and fish dishes, grilled eels, frog legs and fried foods. Its offerings add a distinctive culinary dimension to the cultural and landscape themes. You can weigh up the trails, art, history and regional cuisine when choosing what to explore.
Discover more destinations: Sainte-Gemme-La-Plaine, Saint-Christophe-Du-Ligneron, Tallud-Sainte-Gemme, La Bruffière, La Meilleraie-Tillay, Noirmoutier-En-Lʼîle, Saint-Mathurin, Saint-Maixent-Sur-Vie.
For the wider travel overview: Vendée.
