“The steep”
Here is a town name that says a lot… Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche surprises with its location on a rocky stoop. It preserves in the layout of its small streets the memory of a medieval past and a castle which has now disappeared.
In the northwest of the Pays des Achards, Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche is located 15 minutes from La Roche-sur-Yon and 25 minutes from Les Sables d'Olonne in Vendée. This town has a particularly dynamic associative fabric, thanks to its inhabitants called Bellilocains and Bellilocaines.
Discover Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche
In the village, you can observe Saint John the Baptist Church. The first place of worship here dates back to the Middle Ages, probably as a chapel of the old castle. This residence of the lords of Beaulieu was destroyed in the 17the century on the orders of Cardinal Richelieu. However, we can still imagine it going down the Jaunay terraces, gardens arranged in levels and which allow you to reach the small Jaunay river below. Let us note in passing that it is this watercourse which nourishes the Jaunay Lake, exceptional natural space in the Pays des Achards.
![Terrasses du Jaunay à Beaulieu sous la Roche]()
The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste ![Terrasses du Jaunay à Beaulieu sous la Roche]()
The terraces of Jaunay ![Les Terrasses du Jaunay à Beaulieu sous la Roche]()
Hiking in Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche
Around the town, our hiking trails cross the Vendée bocage. THE Nichoirs Route hosts one of the longest courses in Geocaching of the territory. Other paths pass alongside characteristic elements of the small Vendée heritage. Thus, the Moulins Trail allows you to see a windmill the 19e century.
Restored in 2014, the Guissière washhouse is located in rue du Jaunay along the route de Martinet. THE Washhouse at Plessis aux Moines is visible in the place of the same name a few kilometers northwest of the town and near the Boëre Trail. A third wash is located in the southern part of Nichoir Trail.
Hiking trails
An art village
Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche is a art village which attracts craftsmen and artists for about twenty years. Several of them have joined forces with the municipality and offer courses thanks to Beaulieu School of Art. This place for sharing knowledge is located in the Cour des Arts in the heart of the town. During your walk, stop in the different workshops and shops to discover the varied creative worlds of these enthusiasts.
Staying in Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche
ACCOMMODATION GR364
GITE OLD HOUSE
HOUSE COTTAGE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE 15 MIN FROM THE SEA
THE THREE MILLS ANNEX
CASA BELLUS LOCUS COTTAGE
GITE OF THE BOERE
THE DOMAIN OF LA BOËRE – TIPI
THE DOMAINE DE LA BOËRE – THE SQUIRREL'S HUT
THE DOMAINE DE LA BOËRE – BUBBLES
Entertainment in Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche
PRODUCER VISITS – BEEKEEPING, MARKETING AND EDUCATIONAL FARM
What to visit
Le Santons Fairy Museum near the church surprises with its originality. It brings together 700 authentic Provençal figurines, spread across 8 miniature villages. During a scenographic sound and light tour, each village comes to life to tell a story.
Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche is also known for its Christmas market, one of the oldest in Vendée and with more than 100 exhibitors the largest in the department. Thanks to many committed volunteers, this event has attracted tens of thousands of visitors for more than 30 years.
The animated windows extend the end-of-year atmosphere beyond this annual meeting. Every early December, funny people come to life in the windows of the town's old businesses. Little mice in the kitchen, unruly reindeer children on school desks or sick stuffed animals at the Toy Clinic come to life thanks to mechanisms that are both simple and clever.
Crèches installed in the miniature villages of the Ferie of Santons and a superb Playmobil exhibition at the Atelier de la Déesse complete the magic of Christmas.
![Exposition de Playmobil Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche]()
![Vitrines animées Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche]()
![Vitrines animées Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche]()
![Marché de Noël Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche]()
The Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche Christmas market
