Mortagne-sur-Sèvre / Cugand

This Vendée Vélo Tour stage is dotted with mills beside the Sèvre River, whose pretty banks encourage you to stop here and there. The valley becomes steeper as the cycle route following the river climbs a bit towards the little town of Tiffauges. Here, the Château de Gilles de Rais, the largest citadel in Western France, clings doggedly to its promontory above the Sèvre. Then you follow a series of quiet country roads and bucolic greenways to Cugand, on the edge of the Italianate town of Clisson.

The route

Ride along the Route d'Evrunes, past many old mills set beside the Sèvre River. At Bertré, the route climbs towards La Chaillouère before descending back to the Sèvre and its cycle path, up to Grenon. Cross the Sèvre and follow the D53 (partly by road, partly by cycle lane) up to La Petite Bouffardière. Then you follow the D111 road towards Les Pageries. Continue on the cycle path up to La Roche, to then reach Tiffauges by road. Take great care crossing the D753, which can be dangerous, and then follow little roads above the Sèvre Valley. Despite having to cross the D62 and D755 roads, the way to Cugand doesn’t present any major difficulties, alternating between small roads and farm tracks.

⚠️ Stage not recommended for carts: certain sections have steep inclines, both uphill and downhill.

Link towards Clisson and Nantes via the Nantais area’s vineyards

From Cugand, you can continue exploring the Sèvre River right up to its confluence with the Loire at Nantes by following the cycle trail through the wider Nantais area’s vineyards.

Don't miss

• Mortagne-sur-Sèvre Petite Cité de Caractère:
  • Vendée Vitrail: in the transformed Église Saint-Hilaire, Vendée Vitrail proposes a playful, interactive introduction to the art of stained glass, with visits to be enjoyed at your own pace, plus they’re free. 
  • Chemin de Fer de La Vendée: enjoy a steam-train outing, with commentary, or then a meal in the Voitures des Grands Express, a restaurant in classic railway carriages.
  • Les Jardins de La Cure, terraced public gardens with valley views.
• Château de Tiffauges: the largest medieval site in Western France, the Château de Gilles de Rais puts on events and shows that explain the history of the castle, with period war machines and knightly life put to the fore. (Accueil Vélo accredited site) 
• Moulin à Foulon de Gaumier at Cugand: once dedicated to transforming wool, this fulling mill operated by exploiting the Sèvre Nantaise’s hydraulic power.
• St. Radegund’s Church in La Bruffière: Inspired by Romanesque-Byzantine architecture, the church was built between 1889 and 1891 and houses a treasure. It has been protected as a historic monument since 2007 for its exterior appearance and interior furnishings. The church’s treasure, displayed in an illuminated chest, includes precious objects and ornaments.