La Chapelle-Hermier: Nature, Trails and History

For a stay in La Chapelle-Hermier, Lac du Jaunay, the trails and local buildings provide clear points of reference. At the lake, water sports, walks and nature watching take centre stage; the mill and the church offer further points of interest for anyone curious about the history of the area. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether water activities, hiking, wildlife watching or architectural history should shape your stay.

Water activities and trails at Lac du Jaunay

Lac du Jaunay is a protected natural area covering 114 hectares. Leisure facilities along its shores offer canoeing, pedal boating and sailing. Les Canoës du Jaunay operates a base for canoe and pedal boat trips at Base du Pré in La Chapelle-Hermier. You can choose from three durations: 30 minutes, one hour or two hours. These options make it easy to compare the length of a trip. Fishing is also permitted along the lake’s shores year-round.

Six walking trails allow you to stroll by the water, through the bocage countryside and along paths above the lake; one of the trails goes around Lac du Jaunay. The long-distance GR® 364 “Du Poitou à l’Océan” is different: it passes through La Chapelle-Hermier and follows the lake’s right bank. Base du Pré also provides access to eight mountain biking routes, several walking trails and geocaching. Alongside the water activities, there are various ways to explore the surrounding area on foot or by mountain bike.

Wildlife watching and local landmarks

The Sentier entre Rives et Hauteurs crosses the dam and then follows the lake’s shores to the Passerelle Observatoire. The Passerelle Observatoire du Lac du Jaunay is located near the hamlet of Le Moulin des Rochelles in La Chapelle-Hermier, where the Jaunay River forms the reservoir. Local wildlife can be observed from the footbridge. Information panels introduce visitors to species including grey herons, cormorants, great crested grebes and kingfishers. Some Jaunay'Scapades outings start at the foot of the footbridge in summer. If you plan to take one of these nature tours, check the dates of the individual outings in advance.

Mill, church and pilgrimage

The Moulin du Chiron is the only surviving mill out of the ten that once stood in La Chapelle-Hermier. Its stone tower forms the body of a former windmill that produced flour. The mill’s preserved structure and its former purpose are its main points of interest.

The Église Saint Pierre et Saint Paul also displays a range of architectural features: its oldest section dates from the 12th century and has a slate roof; a Gothic section is roofed with red tiles. A pilgrimage takes place at the Chapelle de Garreau on the first Sunday in September. Together, the mill, church and pilgrimage give your stay a distinct connection to the architectural and cultural history of La Chapelle-Hermier, alongside its nature and leisure activities.

Discover more destinations: La Flocellière, Sainte-Flaive-Des-Loups, Draps, Apremont, Saint-Denis-du-Payré, Saint-Jean-De-Monts, La Chaize-Le-Vicomte, Saint-Vincent-sur-Graon.

For the main travel overview: Vendée.