The Cité des Oiseaux adds a striking natural feature to Les Landes-Genusson: the protected area covers 56 hectares and consists mainly of two ponds, measuring 23 and 7 hectares. It lies along a major north-south bird migration route. Water and bird migration are therefore among the defining themes of a visit.

Birdwatching by the ponds

An observatory, a viewpoint and walking paths offer different ways to watch and listen to waterbirds and migrating songbirds. The area open to the public around the Maison de l’étang and on the dam of the Grand Étang is freely accessible. Access may be temporarily adjusted for safety or site-management reasons; facilities may also occasionally be affected by maintenance or safety changes. Before your visit, check whether the areas you wish to see are accessible.

Alongside its birdlife, the Cité des Oiseaux presents Jonathan Rebouillat’s “Origami Sauvage” photo exhibition, with works displayed outdoors and in a designated indoor space. Admission is free. As the exhibition programme may change, it is advisable to check in advance whether the exhibition will be running during your visit. Another activity is the family game “La quête du Phenix”, aimed at families with children aged four and over. Availability and conditions may change.

For those wishing to explore the area on foot or by mountain bike, the Circuit des Oiseaux is a signposted easy route. It is 10 kilometres long, takes three hours and starts at the Godelinière car park. Its length, duration and starting point give the outing a clear framework; you can plan it as a separate activity without conflating it with a visit to the Cité des Oiseaux.

Church, chapel and Grand Calvaire

The history of the buildings is also part of the character of the place. The present parish church of Les Landes-Genusson was built in 1858, using stones from its predecessor buildings. The Chapelle Saint-René has its own sequence of building phases: it was built in 1680, restored in 1801, then demolished and rebuilt on a larger scale in 1904.

Inside the Chapelle Saint-René are the Vierge de l’Assomption, which comes from the former parish church, and the granite tombstone of René Desraoul (1630–1695). If you wish to see these items, check locally before your visit whether the interior is accessible. This keeps the historical landmarks in view alongside the practical question of indoor access, rather than focusing your visit solely on the exterior.

The Grand Calvaire was built in 1891 on the site of an earlier monument that had been destroyed in 1840. It was completely renovated in 1959 for a mission. Four statues flank the cross: Notre-Dame des sept douleurs, Saint Jean, le Père de Montfort and Saint François-Xavier. At the Château de la Godelinière, a surviving remnant of the moat can also be seen outdoors. These landmarks offer different points of interest: the sequence of construction and renovation, the named figures beside the cross, and the visible remains of the moat.

Combine nature and history during your stay

You can choose from several specific themes for your activities: birdwatching by the ponds, a three-hour route on foot or by mountain bike, and historic buildings, each with its own story. You can shape your stay around whichever interests you most, and check in advance whether the chapel interior is accessible and whether the Cité des Oiseaux activities are available.

Discover more destinations: Mervent, Vix, Fougéré, Chasnais, La Tardiere, Le Gué-De-Velluire, Jard-Sur-Mer, Chavagnes-les-Redoux

For the main travel overview: Vendée.