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Everything you need for an eco-responsible holiday in the Pays Loudunais
This year, we promised ourselves to travel differently. No excessive use of cars, no overloaded schedule: just the four of us, a well-prepared rucksack and the desire to enjoy an eco-responsible holiday in the Pays Loudunais. With Sarah, and our two outdoor enthusiasts, Maël and Iris, we set off for an area where nature really invites you to slow down. And it didn’t take us long to get carried away by the desire to walk, cycle and breathe away from the noise.
Take to the footpaths of the Pays Loudunais
From the very first morning, we put on our walking boots to explore the country’s hiking trails. The starting point for our stay was the Sente Divine. The name immediately appealed to the children, who were convinced that we were going to come across elves at every bend in the road. This network of paths covers almost 50 kilometres of undergrowth, meadows, hidden heritage and open countryside. Maël led the way, fascinated by the Dive meandering beside us, while Iris stopped every two minutes to observe an insect or photograph an old stone.
The next day, we took the adventure a step further with the Grand sentier de Scévolles, a loop of around 22 kilometres. The Scévolles forest enveloped us in a soft, almost magical light. The children played at being explorers, looking for animal tracks or guessing the age of the trees. For our part, we enjoyed the silence, the scent of the undergrowth and that rare sensation of being fully in the present moment. Sarah spent a long time observing the birds with her binoculars, while I savoured the simple pleasure of walking without any specific objective. Hiking here helps you discover much more than just paths: it reconnects you with yourself and your loved ones.
Cycling for an eco-friendly holiday in the Pays Loudunais
After two days on the trails, we swapped our shoes for our bikes. The Pays Loudunais is a perfect playground for cycling: quiet roads, safe paths and majestic landscapes. Our first jaunt took us along the Ligne Verte, a former railway line that has been converted into a cycle path. The children had a lot of fun cycling on the very spots where trains used to run. At each old stop, they imagined life in the old days, with passengers and locomotives. The route is flat and pleasant, perfect for a family outing punctuated by snack breaks.
For a shorter walk, we opted for Le Pé de Jojo, a 1.5 kilometre loop. Here, there’s no time limit, no performance: just the pleasure of riding together, stopping to look at the nuances of the landscape and laughing at the little competitions improvised by the children. Sarah took the opportunity to get out her sketchbook and sketch a panorama that particularly appealed to her. This trail is simple, accessible and ideal for families who want to discover the area gently.
Actions that respect nature... and do us good
To ensure that our holiday was truly in keeping with our values, we paid attention to a few simple things. On the trails, we were careful to follow the signs to preserve the fragile flora . For our picnics, we used water bottles, reusable boxes and sustainable cutlery, which reduced our waste to zero. The children quickly adopted this reflex, proud to participate in their own way. We picked up our own rubbish (and sometimes that of others), and always respected the peace and quiet of the area by keeping a low profile near the wildlife.
We’re all familiar with these gestures, but doing them as a family, in a setting like the Pays Loudunais, gives them a whole new dimension. We feel useful, responsible and connected to our surroundings.
The perfect destination for an eco-friendly holiday
As the days went by, we realised just how perfect the Pays Loudunais is as a destination for an eco-friendly break. You don’t have to go far to get a change of scenery : here, everything is conducive to gentleness, simplicity and authenticity. The footpaths, cycle paths, unspoilt natural areas… everything is designed to help you enjoy your holiday without leaving a trace.
This trip will live long in our memories: the laughter of the children, the lasting conversations, the soothing landscapes. And that rare feeling of freedom you get when you leave the car behind and just move forward with your legs or your bike.
If you’re looking for a destination where you can enjoy a responsible, accessible and deeply rejuvenating holiday, the Pays Loudunais will welcome you with open arms. Here, we take our time and that’s really good for you.
