The GR 36 long-distance trail crosses the Forêt domaniale de Chizé and passes through Villiers-en-Bois. This gives the village a clear connection to the forest and the route. Other attractions have a different focus: Zoodyssée offers nine themed worlds and the possibility of guided animal encounters; the Église Saint-Romain has a clearly dated history. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you could first consider whether hiking, nature experiences or cultural heritage will shape your stay.
Forest and protected landscape
The Forêt domaniale de Chizé is part of the Natura 2000 site “Massif forestier de Chizé-Aulnay.” The Réserve biologique intégrale de la Sylve d’Argenson also includes the municipality of Villiers-en-Bois. These connections refer to different geographical areas: the Natura 2000 site is linked to the forest, while the reserve includes the municipality. The GR 36 adds a specific route to the nature theme: the long-distance trail crosses the forest and passes through Villiers-en-Bois. For nature lovers, the forest, municipality and long-distance trail therefore come together as distinct points of reference. The forest’s inclusion in the Natura 2000 site and the municipality’s inclusion in the biological reserve remain two separate aspects.
Zoodyssée: nature in themed worlds
Zoodyssée covers 30 hectares of preserved natural surroundings and offers nine themed worlds. The figures describe different aspects of what it offers: the nine worlds provide a thematic structure, while the area indicates the size of the natural site. Animal encounters guided by an educator are also possible. Alongside the forest and long-distance trail, visitors can choose from themed experiences and a specific activity format. If you would rather experience nature in a way other than simply following a hiking route, you can make Zoodyssée’s themed worlds and possible guided encounters a focus of your trip.
Church history marked by two dates
The Église Saint-Romain was rebuilt in 1855. It also has a bell named Catherine, dating from 1712. The two dates mark distinct historical points: the bell is 143 years older than the rebuilding. This brings together a specific phase in the church’s construction history and an older, individually named object. The church offers more than a single building date as a cultural focus: its history can be explored through the rebuilding and the bell’s own date. This adds a clearly defined piece of cultural heritage to the nature attractions.
Choose a focus for your trip
When looking for a holiday rental in Villiers-en-Bois, you can define the kind of trip you want: the GR 36 offers a long-distance trail, Zoodyssée themed worlds and possible guided animal encounters, and the Église Saint-Romain a history of its building and bell. These are different ways to explore, not variations on the same activity. If nature is your main focus, you can weigh up following a route against a themed nature experience; if you would also like to include culture, the church adds the dates 1855 and 1712 to the mix.
Discover more destinations: Argentière, La Coudre, La Peyratte, Combrand, Saint-Vincent-La-Châtre, Saint-Loup-Lamairé, Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan, Pressigny
For the broader travel guide: Deux-Sèvres.
