Saint-Paul-en-Pareds: Castles, Manor Houses and Walking Trails

Saint-Paul-en-Pareds brings together historic buildings, local lore, and walking trails of varying lengths. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Paul-en-Pareds, you can plan your trip according to whether you are particularly interested in cultural history or walks through the countryside. The route lengths help you compare the scope of each hike.

Architectural History and Local Lore

The Château de Saint-Paul-en-Pareds dates from the beginning of the feudal period. The Château des Noyers is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. Its oldest part is an underground area thought to be more than 1,000 years old. The age is deliberately presented as an estimate.

The Logis de la Barbère is a manor house in the style of the region’s fortified manor houses. Its features include a corner watchtower and machicolations. The Logis du Bois Rousseau dates from the 16th century; it has a square courtyard, a round-arched gateway, mullioned windows, and two square corner turrets. The logis was once surrounded by moats, which have since been filled in. The two houses thus display different architectural features: fortified forms at La Barbère and a distinctive courtyard and gateway at Bois Rousseau.

The church of Saint-Paul-en-Pareds lies away from the town center and the château. Local lore links its location to the legend of the Farfadets: the goblins are said to have moved the building stones at night. The church bell is also part of the town’s history. Cast in 1538, it is considered the second-oldest bell in the Vendée.

Historically, a market was held every Thursday on the esplanade in front of the château under a privilege granted by King Charles VII, along with fairs on January 23 and August 29. These market days and dates are part of the town’s historical tradition.

Walking Trails by Distance and Landscape

At 5.2 km, the Sentier des Farfa'pieds Sud is the shortest of the seven trails in Saint-Paul-en-Pareds. The Sentier des Noyers is 11.5 km long. Comparing these distances gives you an initial indication of the scope of each route without specifying a walking time.

The Sentier du Boistissandeau, loop route no. 6, is a marked 9.2 km trail. It passes through the Petit Lay valley and alongside a pond. A small chapel along the route dates to 1657. A former watermill that ceased operating in 1938 is also located along the same trail.

Considerably longer is “Sur le chemin des étonnants personnages”: this 79 km hike passes through Saint-Paul-en-Pareds. The Sentier du Chevalier du Landreau offers a different connection to the landscape: it crosses the Petit Lay over a bridge. With shorter trails, the 9.2 km loop, and the long hike, there are routes of varying lengths to choose from; the distances given help you gauge the route length you are looking for.

L'Acheneau as a Picnic Area and Trailhead

The L'Acheneau picnic area has five shaded tables and restrooms. It is also the starting point for the Sentier du Chevalier du Landreau. You can take the trailhead and the bridge over the Petit Lay into account when planning this hike. Trail conditions and information about facilities may change; check current conditions before your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Philbert-De-Bouaine, Brem-Sur-Mer, Soullans, Loge-Fougereuse, Sainte-Hermine, Sainte-Radégonde-Des-Noyers, Sainte-Florence, Les Landes-Genusson

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