サン・マルタン・ラ・レオルテのおすすめランニングルート

Pretty place with panoramic view, mill and beautiful little chapel

The wars of Vendée

Côte de la Grange / Côte du Fossé is a climb. It is 0.7 km long and has a height difference of 50 meters with an average slope of 6.7%. The summit of the climb is located at an altitude of 241 meters. You will ride among trees and green panoramas.

This castle has a rich history of use as private property, as a place of scientific experimentation in the 18th century, and even as a place of refuge for young monks and theology students. Information on the history of the castle: https://www.lesherbiers.fr/decouvert/histoire-patrimoine/patrimoine/46-chateau-du-boistissandeau.html Property of the Vendée department, the castle cannot be visited. Managed by the association "Handi-Espoir" it is part of a remarkable and unique structure in France "the Maison d'Accueil Familial le Boistissandeau" which allows the joint reception of disabled adults with their elderly parents.

Long before the discovery of electricity and the associated inventions, our ancestors discovered the possibility of harnessing the power of the elements - which on the one hand were useful, but on the other hand could also be a threat as a force of nature - for various purposes. A suitable example of the human ingenuity of previous generations is such a mill: the heavy millstones with which, for example, grain was ground into grain or oil was pressed, could be powered with the help of water or - as here on the Mont des Alouettes - the wind , whose strength the covered wings have absorbed. Hardly any of them still fulfill their original functions today, but fortunately some have at least been preserved as evidence of the old days.

A total of eight windmills were built on this site, two of which survive, one of which is still in operation. A chapel was also built there in 1828, but it is interesting to note that it was not completed and inaugurated until 1968.

Here you can have a peaceful run through the woods. The exposed nature of the nearby Mont des Alouettes is offset here by the presence of trees.

A raised platform allows you to make the most of the view from this spot.