Lac du Graon, a variety of trails, and historic sites give Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon a diverse character for a getaway. The lake is designated as a natural site by the municipality. When planning your stay, you can start with a few practical questions: would you prefer to focus on a hike, a bike ride, an activity on the water, or the historical traces of the area?
At Lac du Graon: on foot, by bike, or on the water
The Circuit Autour du Lac du Graon is a hiking trail around the lake, located in the municipality of Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon. The start and finish are at Place de l’Église. Fishing is permitted along the circular route with a fishing permit. This gives you two concrete points to consider when choosing between a hike and a fishing trip: the trail around Lac du Graon and the permit requirement for fishing.
For cycling, the Vendée-Vélo route 20 offers a different option: it starts at Église Saint-Vincent and runs alongside part of Lac du Graon. Another described cycling route runs from Talmont-Saint-Hilaire to Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon. Its roads and trails are typical of the retro-littoral Vendée. The information distinguishes between the two cycling options by their starting points and route characteristics; it does not specify a particular travel time or level of difficulty.
Canoeing on Lac du Graon is also among the activities on offer: it is provided by Base Nautique du Graon. Availability may vary by season. Check before your trip whether it is available on your dates. You can then plan around whether you would like to experience the lake from the circular trail, along part of the cycling route, or by canoe.
Local history between the oppidum and the churches
The town centre also offers its own historical point of interest: it is situated on an ancient Gallic oppidum. The history of Saint-Vincent Church tells of further changes. The church was destroyed during the French Revolution; its ruins were returned to use for worship in 1802. In 1873, a statue of Saint Vincent was added to the church façade. These dates place the destruction, the return of the ruins, and the later addition in chronological order.
Another historical focus is Saint-Sornin. The original church is documented at this site from the 11th century and was completely rebuilt in 1864. The Fuie de Saint-Sornin has been protected as a historic monument since 16 June 2021. The Menhir de la Chenillée is also protected; it was listed as a historic monument by decree dated 4 February 1988. Taken together, these sites and dates offer several different points of interest for a stay that takes account of the municipality’s history as well as its landscape and activities.
A different perspective on the area
Lac du Graon is not only a point of reference for trails and canoeing, but also part of the area’s history: the construction of the dam near the town centre significantly altered the municipality’s landscape in 1972. If you are interested in how the area has developed, you can consider this change alongside the older references of the oppidum and the churches. This takes your planning beyond individual activities and leads to a question that can help shape your stay: would you mainly like to spend time outdoors, or would you also like to make room for the historical development of Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon?
For culinary discoveries, the La Plume Au Vent farm in Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon welcomes visitors for farm tours and culinary walks. These visits add another theme to the options around the lake. Since the activities appeal to different interests, the number of activities you plan and the time set aside for them may depend on whether you would like to focus on hiking, cycling, canoeing, a farm visit, or local history.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Maurice-des-Noues, Saint-Vincent-Sterlanges, Oulmes, Breuil-Barret, Vix, Jard-Sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salle, Saint-Vincent-Sur-Jard.
View the wider travel guide: Vendée.
