Discover Sainte-Radégonde-Des-Noyers

Sainte-Radégonde-Des-Noyers is defined by gardens enclosed by dry-stone walls and narrow traditional lanes. It also features a church with works of art from different centuries, traces of its milling heritage, and a landscape shaped by canals and environmental initiatives. The local themes can thus be viewed from different perspectives: as cultural history, as the transformation of the water landscape, and as an opportunity to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike.

Lanes, gardens and sacred art

The venelles, or narrow traditional lanes, shape the village just as much as the gardens enclosed by dry-stone walls. Both features give the townscape its own character: the walls enclose the gardens, while the lanes define the traditional village layout. Those interested in historic townscapes will find several specific features here rather than a single landmark building.

The 16th-century church stands among lime trees. Inside are a statue of Saint Radegund dating from 1684 and seven stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the saint’s life. Maurice Bordereau of Angers created the windows in the 1940s. The church thus presents two different forms of depicting the same saint: a dated statue and a set of windows depicting scenes from her life. The artworks therefore connect a specific year with a later period of creation.

The town’s history is also connected with Saint Radegund. According to tradition, nuns from the Abbey of Sainte-Croix in Poitiers, fleeing the invasions on the coast of Lower Poitou, founded a priory dedicated to her. It stood on the site of today’s town hall and remained there until the French Revolution. Unlike the statue and stained-glass windows, this is a story passed down through tradition; it also has a specific connection to the town hall site.

Mills, canal and waterscape

The Moulin Neuf is the last surviving trace of the village’s milling heritage. Several windmills operated there until the 19th century. This makes the Moulin Neuf a point of reference for the area’s former milling activity, while the Canal du Clain offers a different perspective on time: it is one of the oldest canals still in operation.

The Canal du Clain was built at the end of the 12th century and restored in the mid-17th century. It is more than 12.5 kilometres long. Two embankments, known as “Bots,” flank it along its entire length, with a path or road running along them. Its construction, subsequent restoration and current operation are all part of its history. The details of its length and embankments also describe the canal as an extensive waterway with a continuous structure along its banks.

The Prée Mizotière adds a perspective on the transformation of wetlands. The removal of the polders converted ten hectares of the site into an area for environmental purposes. In addition, wet depressions were created across approximately 15 hectares to restore salt-affected meadows and maritime habitats. The two area figures refer to different aspects: the conversion of land and the creation of depressions, with their restoration objective.

Exploring on foot or by bike

Sainte-Radégonde-Des-Noyers has several circular walking routes and cycle paths. These offer two different ways to get around locally. When planning your trip around your interests, you can combine the lanes, gardens and historical themes with walking or cycling as activities in their own right. The church, Moulin Neuf, canal and Prée Mizotière each offer a distinct focus—from sacred art and milling history to the development of water landscapes and habitats.

Discover more destinations: La Boissière-De-Montaigu, Saint-Maurice-des-Noues, Les Châtelliers-Châteaumur, Nalliers, La Ferriere, Château-D'olonne, Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois, Saint-Gilles-Croix-De-Vie

Go to the main travel overview: Vendée.