Lazily crossing the region of Fontenay le Comte, the Vendée is the great enchantress of our landscape. With its source at St Paul en Gatines in Deux Sevres, it flows into the Sèvre Niortaise 70 kilometres further on at L'Ile d'Elle

So doing, its gracefulness has enlivened our green woodlands, illuminated the deep valleys of the mountain forest of Mervent-Vouvant, mirrored the beautiful dwellings of Fontenay le Comte and given the plains and marshes of the countryside the allure of paradise.

Calm, thanks to the reservoir at Mervent, it offers cool waters to swimmers, lovers of canoeing, kayaking, pedaloes or sailing, and its riches to those who prefer to tease the carp, perch or pike.