La Jaudonnière – Churches, Bocage and Trails
Accommodation in La Jaudonnière
La Jaudonnière combines cultural and historical attractions with a rural landscape of forests and bocage. The churches of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and Saint-Pierre de Pareds tell the story of different periods of construction and use; trails through the surrounding area appeal to travelers who enjoy exploring on foot or by bike. If you are looking for a hotel in La Jaudonnière, these highlights can help you plan your stay.
Forests, Bocage and Protected Landscapes
La Jaudonnière is part of the “Bocage et bois entre la forêt de Vouvant et le sud de Chantonnay” area, a continental ZNIEFF type II. The area includes extensive forests and bocage. Agricultural intensification there is comparatively moderate for the Vendée. Bocage refers to a landscape divided by hedgerows and fields, complementing the forests as a defining feature of the area.
The valleys of the Smagne and the Longève are also part of this area. They are of interest, among other things, for otters and red-backed shrikes. These river valleys are therefore part of a larger landscape that includes La Jaudonnière. To get your bearings, it is worth looking not only at individual trails, but also at how forests, bocage and valleys connect.
Church History in La Jaudonnière and Pareds
The Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine was built between 1665 and 1700 on the site of an earlier, larger church. It has a polychrome altarpiece from the 17th century. The altar comes from the chapel of Luçon Cathedral. The construction date, altarpiece and altar each have their own historical associations: the church was built in the second half of the 17th century, while the altar’s origins point to Luçon.
Another chapter in the area’s church history links La Jaudonnière to the Ancienne Église Saint-Pierre de Pareds. It served as the parish church from the destruction of the church in La Jaudonnière in 1562 until its reconstruction in 1700. Saint-Pierre dates from the 11th and 12th centuries and now stands in ruins. Its surviving features include walls, partitions and a Gothic window. The two churches thus differ considerably in age and later function: Sainte-Marie-Madeleine was built between 1665 and 1700, while Saint-Pierre was built centuries earlier and served as the parish church for a time.
Walking Trails and Cycling Routes
La Jaudonnière has trails suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The GR 364 offers a longer hiking option in the Vendée du Sud. One section of the trail passes through chestnut forests and largely intact bocage in La Caillère-Saint-Hilaire and La Jaudonnière. A 24-kilometre section lets you discover sunken lanes in both communes.
For cyclists, the Boucle des Vergers offers a different kind of route: it is designated as a Vendée-Vélo route, is 33 kilometres long and is a loop. Its route passes through Saint-Martin-Lars-en-Sainte-Hermine, La Caillère-Saint-Hilaire and La Jaudonnière. Comparing it with the GR 364 gives you two specific points of reference for planning: a 24-kilometre hiking section and a 33-kilometre cycling loop. These descriptions cover different types of outings and can help you decide which suits your plans.
A Historic Transport Link
The former Vouvant-Cezais–Chantonnay railway line also passed through La Jaudonnière. La Jaudonnière-Pareds was one of the line’s two new stations; rail service began on May 28, 1900. The former railway link adds another perspective on the town’s past to the history of its churches and parish.
Discover more destinations: Tiffauges, Saint-Cyr-En-Talmondais, Fontenay-Le-Comte, La Verrie, Fougeré, Saint-Prouant, Saint-Hilaire-De-Loulay, La Flocellière.
For the full travel overview: Vendée.
