Discover Vaire: hiking trails and cultural heritage

Vaire offers a range of options for planning your trip: short and longer hikes, a cycling route, paths along the Auzance and protected cultural sites. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, your interests can guide your plans: would you rather walk, cycle or explore the area’s history?

Hiking trails and landscapes

The Les 5 Parcs loop is 2.4 kilometres long and takes about an hour on foot. It is considered very easy and a family-friendly nature walk in a rural setting. The starting point is the car park on Rue Rabelais in Vairé. The loop passes through Parc des Commerces, Parc de l’Etang, Parc des Douves, Parc de l’Auzance and Parc de la Vrignaie. The approximate duration helps you plan how much time to allow; the names of the five parks also show what defines the trail.

La Blainière is a red-marked walking trail of approximately ten kilometres. It is therefore considerably longer than Les 5 Parcs, at 2.4 kilometres. The two trails can be distinguished by their length: a short loop with an approximate time estimate contrasts with a longer hike.

For cycling, there is Le Tour de Vairé à vélo: the route is marked in green and is 16 kilometres long. It complements the walking trails with a dedicated cycling route. The routes therefore differ both in mode of travel and in length.

Walking trails from Vairé lead to the Auzance River and across the Fosse aux Gendarmes footbridge. Cabiran offers panoramic views of Vairé, and there are walking trails nearby. The Auzance and the view from Cabiran provide different ways to experience the landscape: a path to the water and a view of the town. Vairé’s wind farm is also part of the landscape. It consists of five wind turbines that have stood there since July 2007.

La Borderie is described as a hiking accommodation available year-round at the junction of the Les Sables d’Olonne walking trails; check whether it is currently operating before planning a stay. Check current availability before your trip.

Cultural sites and local history

The Menhir dit La Minche du Diable has been listed as a historic monument since 5 March 1969. The church of Saint-Pierre houses the protected statue of Saint Hilaire, which has been listed as a movable object since 4 July 1980. The menhir and statue represent different historical aspects: a prehistoric monument and a protected object in a church.

The Pierres Garatelles are considered an important site for the region’s prehistory, as a large part of the material used for the surrounding megaliths was found there. This connection to the finds links Vairé with the region’s megalithic landscape and provides a distinct point of interest alongside the protected monuments.

Local traditions are also part of the area’s history. According to legend, there are two stone crosses in Vairé: “la croix de l’âne” and “la croix des pèlerins”. Two broken gravestones protrude from the grass at their feet. Another local legend tells of people from Vairé who built a church they wanted to call “Saint Pierre et Saint Paul”. These stories complement the named monuments with tales passed down through generations.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Cyr-En-Talmondais, Saint-Symphorien, Les Brouzils, Fougeré, La Boissière-De-Montaigu, Notre-Dame-De-Monts, Saint-Martin-Lars-en-Sainte-Hermine, Saint-Hilaire-De-Riez

For the broader travel overview: Vendée.