A one-hour heritage trail, an orienteering course to unusual places and a 15-kilometre route offer different ways to discover Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois. There are also historic sites, parks, an educational farm and a wine tasting. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the different highlights: local history, time outdoors and specific visitor options can all be taken into account.
On foot: a village trail, orienteering course and longer route
The heritage trail is a one-hour loop through the village centre. It takes you to a washhouse built in 1912 and restored in 2002, as well as Place de l’Église. The houses there date from the 18th century; the crypt and church at Place de l’Église are also open to visitors. The loop brings together several historic sites within a clearly defined timeframe.
Another option is the orienteering course in the village centre, created by the Children’s Municipal Council. It takes you to unusual places and takes about two hours on foot. You can also do it as a shorter loop. The Sentier des Chapelles, by contrast, is defined by its length: the route is 15 kilometres long and passes through Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois and the communes of Beaufou and Les Lucs-sur-Boulogne before returning to the Historial.
These details are not interchangeable when planning your day: the heritage trail is listed as taking one hour, the orienteering course as taking approximately two hours on foot, and the 15-kilometre figure for the Sentier des Chapelles describes the route’s length. This lets you compare the trails using their respective time or distance details, without assuming a walking time for the longer route.
Ponds, parks and animals
The Parc des étangs has two shaded ponds, a children’s playground, a multi-sports court and picnic tables. Fishing is also permitted there. The fishing platform is accessible to people with disabilities. The park’s facilities offer several specific reasons to visit, from fishing to taking a break at the picnic tables.
The Parc des aubépines has a children’s playground with a zip line and an educational pond. Another family-friendly option is La Ferme de l’Espoir, a traditional educational farm. Visitors can see horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens there. Families travelling with children will find a range of clearly defined activities: play areas in the park and animals at the farm.
Chapel and forge in Tulévrière
The Chapelle de la Tulévrière was built in 1794 during the Reign of Terror by Abbé Tenebre, the priest of Croix de Vie. It was built in gratitude for the protection of the village of Tulévrière during the passage of the infernal columns in the Vendée Wars. Guided visits to the chapel are available. Contact Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois town hall and confirm the arrangements before your trip.
The old forge in the village of Tulévrière can also be visited, but only in summer. Take this seasonal opening period into account when planning, and check visiting arrangements again before your visit.
Wines from the Vendée terroir
Domaine de la Grande Villeneuve welcomes visitors to its wine cellar in Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois to taste its wines from the Vendée terroir. Visitors can also discover at least a dozen grape varieties presented by Victor de Goulaine. As visiting arrangements may change, check the options in advance before making the tasting a firm part of your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: La Gaubretière, Notre-Dame-de-Riez, Saint-Philbert-De-Bouaine, La Ferriere, Mareuil-Sur-Lay-Dissais, Poiroux, Saint-Vincent-Sur-Jard, Saint-Nicolas
For the full travel guide: Vendée.
