Anyone planning a stay in Nueil-Les-Aubiers will find the Parc de loisirs du Val de Scie, a 13-hectare leisure and recreation park in the heart of the town centre. There are also cycling opportunities and routes connected with the former railway, as well as a variety of historical themes. Together, these make it possible to explore the town through both outdoor activities and local history.
Val de Scie: Park, Cycling and Disc Golf
The Parc de loisirs du Val de Scie has 2.5 kilometres of paths for walking and cycling. The Bike Park du Val de Scie can be reached from both the Voie verte towards Mauléon and the park. Its practice area is designed for children aged 6 to 9 to try out and learn. Older visitors can choose from three downhill trails of varying difficulty. At the bike park, age and difficulty level are therefore important factors when choosing the right area.
Disc golf is another activity at Val de Scie. The course is free and open to all players. It has 18 baskets, as well as tee-off areas for beginners and experienced players. Unlike the walking and cycling paths, the course offers a clearly defined game, with different tee-off areas catering to different levels of experience.
Cycling Routes and the Bocage Landscape
The Voie verte follows a former railway line and connects Nueil-Les-Aubiers with Bressuire over a distance of around 20 kilometres. It is therefore a longer route than the 2.5 kilometres of paths in the Parc du Val de Scie. Work or changes in surface conditions may affect the route; check the current route and its condition before setting out.
Another cycling route is the Vélidéale from Nueil-Les-Aubiers to Mauléon. It follows a road typical of the bocage, bordered by trees and fields lined with hedgerows. While the Voie verte follows a former railway line, the Vélidéale is a road route through the bocage landscape. Routes may be updated, so it is a good idea to check the current route before setting out.
Churches, Château and Railway Heritage
The parish church of Saint-Hilaire has three naves. It dates from the 12th century and was extended in the 15th century. In Les Aubiers, the church of Saint-Melaine tells a different architectural story: after a fire, it was rebuilt between 1865 and 1868, and its 51-metre-high spire was built in 1886. The two churches thus represent different historical periods.
The present-day Château de Tournelay was created in 1820 by extending an earlier pavilion. The entire complex on this private estate is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments (ISMH). Visitors can explore independently using a leaflet provided at the entrance; a signposted route leads through the estate’s built-up area. Visiting arrangements are seasonal, so check the conditions before your trip.
Paths in the grounds of Tournelay run alongside the river l’Argent, through woodland and past two ponds. Access here is also subject to the estate’s visitor regulations. Railway history is commemorated elsewhere: three information panels at Clos des Erables recall the period when the Nantes–Vichy train stopped in Nueil-Les-Aubiers. The exhibition “Chemin de Faire”, created through the work of five artists, brings the railway heritage of Nueil-Les-Aubiers to life.
Walking and Tèrra Aventura
The Mémorial du Bois des Chèvres is the starting point for a short walk. Nueil-Les-Aubiers also has the Tèrra Aventura trail “Le temps nous est gare”. It uses a completely free app: solve clues and search for the treasure and the Poïz “Zart”. As the app’s availability may change, it is best to check before your trip.
If you are considering Nueil-Les-Aubiers as a place to stay, you can choose your focus based on your interests: Val de Scie combines paths and sporting activities, while the churches, château and railway heritage offer different ways to explore the town’s history.
Discover more destinations: Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay, Vasles, Arçais, Rom, Vouillé, Massais, La Chapelle-Saint-Laurent, Saint-Vincent-La-Châtre
For the main travel guide: Deux-Sèvres.
