Discover Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure

Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure lies at the foot of the church, at an altitude of 290 m, and is the highest point in the Vendée. The town offers a striking place to visit in its bell tower, as well as various ways to spend time outdoors: hiking trails, a cycling link, fishing at the lake and garden visits by request. The activities also differ in how they are planned: some specify a route length, while others give a duration; garden visits require a request or reservation.

A visit to the bell tower

The bell tower can be visited independently. Reaching the top of the 42-metre-high tower involves climbing 199 steps. The gilded statue of the Archangel Michael stands atop the tower. It is an exact replica of the statue created for the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon in the late 19th century. The tower therefore offers a concrete art-historical link to Lyon, as well as the climb.

Hiking by distance or duration

On foot, you can choose between two activities measured in different ways. The Nature et Interprétation hiking trail in Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure is 3.5 km long. Les Pas du Sommet comprises two 45-minute walks that start at the bell tower. The first trail specifies a distance, while Les Pas du Sommet gives the duration of the two walks. This lets you compare the two activities using whichever planning measure is more helpful to you. Check trail conditions locally.

Cycling route and tourist circuit

Vendée-Vélo route 39 connects Sèvremont with Les Epesses and passes through Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure. A tourist circuit for cars and two-wheelers runs through Sèvremont towards Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure, is about 64 km long and takes in several architectural landmarks in the municipality. The two routes are described differently: for route 39, the endpoints and its course through the town are given; for the circuit, the approximate length and the municipality’s architectural heritage are highlighted. Check the circuit route information locally.

Viewpoint and fishing

On the road between Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure and Les Herbiers, a small car park near the Calvary provides access to a footpath with a viewpoint and an orientation panel. The viewpoint is across from the road to the Moulin des Justices. Fishing at the lake in Saint-Michel-Mont-Mercure is permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Plan your visit for one of the specified fishing days and check the municipal information again before travelling.

Visits to Au Cœur des Plantes

The garden at Au Cœur des Plantes can be explored independently by making a request on site. Small groups can take a guided tour of the garden by reservation. Workshops with other contributors may also be available by reservation. The arrangements differ: independent visits require a request, while group tours and workshops require a reservation. If you are planning a garden visit, arrange the activity you want in advance.

Discover more destinations: Apremont, Loge-Fougereuse, Triaize, Les Landes-Genusson, Saint-Mars-la-Réorthe, La Ferriere, Jard-Sur-Mer, Château-D'olonne.

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