Alternativ: adventures and discoveries in Le Bignon, Loire-Atlantique

Pour réduire les 80 km de l’itinéraire Vignes et Bocage, voici une suggestion de boucle empruntant en majorité l’itinéraire balisé mais proposant des variantes entre Rocheservière et Mormaison 2 départs : - Parking de Belleroche – Rocheservière - GPS : 46°55’58.24’’N/ 1°30’47.50’’O - Place du Pont de l’Issoire – Mormaison

Pour réduire les 80 km de l’itinéraire Vignes et Bocage, voici une suggestion de boucle empruntant en majorité l’itinéraire balisé mais proposant des variantes entre Mormaison, Saint André Treize Voies et Saint Sulpice le Verdon 3 départs : - Place du Pont de l’Issoire – Mormaison - Aire de loisirs de l’Ognon – St-André-Treize-Voies - Place de l’Europe – St-Sulpice-le-Verdon

The beginning of the hike starts at the parking of the train station. This trail has several variants that allows you to go on real steep trails like a maze with parallel roads. It has a distinguished atmosphere, secret and mesmerising. When you come back, go down to the port where you will find our restaurants and for those who love nature, make a stop to the “Ganuchaud” botanic garden which is located at the end of “la rue d’Angleterre”. Also, pass by “La Cour Gaillard” which is in “La Grand-Rue” and was edified by protestants at the Edit of Nantes. This site stays, until 1685, an important protestant place.

Prepare yourself for a hike of 2 hours long with 500 metres along the water. You will admire the vast expanse of the Plains of Mazerolles with 3 kilometres long and 1 kilometre large. This site is ideal for kids. It is also possible to go fishing for people with reduced mobility. Or you can have a picnic or some sport. At the end of this loop, you will see the Castle of La Baraudière surrounded by its stone walls from the 19th century and not far from there the Castle of Bois Mellet. A plate has been placed at the entry and it is written “qui a accueilli, cache et protégé les résistants de la région” which means “that has hosted, hided and protected the resistants of the region”.

Discover the Plains of Mazerolles, a vast expanse of water of 3 kilometres long and 1 kilometre large. With a little bit of patience, you may see herons on the shores and a lot of other birds during migration season. Labelled refuge of the French League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), the site has also three beehives financed by the collectivity and an orchard. A themed path has also been created by the Municipality. The trail begins on the edges of the river Erdre to go through the undergrowth alleys, steep paths and goes through adorable little villages. It is possible to join the port of Sucé-sur-Erdre if you take the Atlantic Coast Route, or from the city-centre for this hike. The departure point is from the nautical base of Mazerolles.

Hello boy !

The Circuit of Vive-Eve Discover the atmosphere of the Nantes-Brest Canal, its towpath converted for different types of hiking, its lock-houses, water tourism, fishing … On this itinerary, taken by cyclists on the Atlantic Coast Route and pilgrims of Saint Jacques of Compostelle, the towpath will guide you to the lock house of La Tindière and its gourmet terrace. You can park at the Vive-Eve bridge where you will have an information sign on the history of the Canal and picnic tables. From this parking it is also possible to extend your walk the other way to the lock house of Quihex. You will see a remarkable view of the plains of La Poupinière and the Valley of the Erdre

The marshes of Blanche Noë are in the south of Nort-sur-Erdre in which you can find an ornithological and aquatic site allowing you discover its fauna and its flora. At the beginning of the lake, have a walk along the river Erdre to arrive at Port Mulon’s Castle and its park. Appreciate the charming villages of “Tomblehoux”, “Gâtine” and “La Poupinière” and see the vantage point on the river Erdre and the plains. Then, join the canal and by going through the moat and see the viewpoint from Quihex’s lockhouse and further along eat at the gourmet terrace of La Tindière. To finish go through the village of Le Plessis pas Brunet to go back to the lake.

Go discover “The Charcoal route”, on the site of The Mines of Languin. The village of Languin keeps yet again traces of ancient charcoal mines that were kept in activity until the beginning of the 20th century. This trail will lead you on the feeding conduct and beside the director of the Mines’ residence that was edified in 1723 where you can find a three-hundred-year-old cedar of Lebanon (1737). From the village of “Bel Air”, you can enjoy a remarkable view of the surrounding bocage, which rises to an altitude of 55 metres.

Hike on the trails of the Nantes-Brest Canal and its feeding conduct and discover the surrounding bocage. You will see the junction of the “Little Canal” with the Nantes-Brest Canal to maintain a consistency in the level of water to navigate throughout the seasons. The portion of the Canal from “Pas d’Héric” and “Bout de Bois” corresponds to the highest forebay of the Canal. The feeding conduct flows and allows to answer the needs in water of other forebays that goes down to the Valley of the Erdre on one side and to the Valley of the Villaine on the other.

A 19th century character building on the outskirts of Nantes, with ancient trees and a river nearby. Another gîte on site. Another gîte on site. 5 guest rooms, furnished in country-style, in the converted outbuildings of a château. The 2 ground floor rooms each have a double bed and an en-suite bathroom with WC. Upstairs there are 3 rooms. 2 have a double bed and an en-suite shower room with WC. The third has a double four-poster bed and an en-suite bathroom with WC. Additional facilities: hair driers, cot, shared kitchen, Wifi access, TV in each bedroom. Spacious living room upstairs. Nantes 12km.

Located 15 min south of Nantes, surrounded by a 4 hectare park and in the heart of the Nantes vineyards, the Abbaye is today a charming hotel, that retains the traces of its history and its noble architecture. Close proximity to the airport...

A 'gite de charme' in a converted outbuilding overlooking vineyards. Unfenced garden with patio. Unfenced lake 100m away. 9x4m heated (April-Oct) covered swimming pool with safety alarm, shared with owners. Table tennis and boules for guest use. Lounge/diner with open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1: king-size bed, 2: twin beds. Bathroom. WC. Additional facilities: tumble-drier, freezer, home cinema, WiFi connection, baby equipment. Price includes electric heating, bed linen (beds made on arrival), towels, household linen, firewood. Nantes 15km.

Bridge near the small canal

The coal mines were extremely important from the 17th century.

As a place for meeting and mixing, the library must also be a simple place where people are welcomed in a friendly atmosphere and where they can get good advice. The whole team is involved in each place and provides quality entertainment. Come and visit them and share with them a good moment of reading and discovery.

As a place for meeting and mixing, the library must also be a simple place where people are welcomed in a friendly atmosphere and where they can get good advice. The whole team is involved in each place and provides quality entertainment. Come and visit them and share with them a good moment of reading and discovery.

Born from the whims of the relief and the fervour of an Abbot, it makes its appearance at the bend in the path that climbs to the Chapelle Largeau. Like a guide or a lighthouse, soothing by its serene presence, and so eternal: the Chapel of Saint Joseph stands at the top of the Ouin Valley. The traveller may be astonished, moved or meditate in front of this majesty. It proudly dominates this valley, at the bottom of which, the river Ouin, runs alongside, meanders and separates, sometimes the Maine et Loire, the Vendée or the Deux Sèvres. At the height of the trilogy, the parish itself was, over the centuries, under the dependence of three dioceses: Maillezais, La Rochelle and Poitiers! »

This site comprises blocks of white quartz recognised in 1909 as a Monument and Site of Natural Interest. The site of the Pyrôme rocks used to be inhabited by goblins. According to legend, every year at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, one of the huge blocks of rock would rise up and the goblins would appear offering their treasure, hidden there, to anyone who would agree to give up their place in Paradise. Today it offers an interesting panoramic view spreading beyond Moulins and the Ouin valley toward the Cholet area. A path join the Corbelière Site, "Espace naturel sensible").

Products: fresh goat cheese, fluffy, gray, off-dry, log, herbs, pepper. Hectares: 2ha. Places of sale: Farm from 15h to 18h (order), weekly markets in Mortagne sur Sevre Tuesday from Vihiers Wednesday, Mauleon Friday and Saturday Cholet.

Organic farming on a 12 ha farm including 5 ha of market gardening and 1500 m² of greenhouses. Products: Various organic vegetables in season Places of sale : At the farm, Thursday from 6 to 7 pm, "Proxi" store in Mauléon, Biocoop Bressuire and Cholet, "Mangeons Bio ensemble" producers' store at Fruits de Clazay.

Looking for some fresh air? Escape to the Espace Naturel la Corbelière in Moulins and fill up on greenery! This 2 km trail, on a preserved site, is at the heart of a vast bocage landscape, cradle of springs where meadows, ponds, hedges and small streams mingle. This site has been awarded the "Espace Naturel Sensitive" label. With the family: a moment of complicity guaranteed! On your own: a great opportunity to recharge your batteries! Thanks to the support of the Département des Deux-Sèvres, JDO Paysages (Terves) has installed two attractive and fun footbridges. They're sure to delight young and old alike! An educational panel talks about "mollins". What are they? To find out, scan the QR code on the panel and listen to what the locals have to say. The site is also home to several geocaches, an orienteering course and a Tèrra Aventura course called "La Corbelière des z?ombres"

As a place for meeting and mixing, the library must also be a simple place where people are welcomed in a friendly atmosphere and where they can get good advice. The whole team is involved in each place and provides quality entertainment. Come and visit them and share with them a good moment of reading and discovery.

Tables de Nantes 2014 beautiful view, excellent wine cellar

In the afternoon, the lounge of the Inn welcomes you for a refreshment or a hot drink, which you can pair with, for the most gourmet, homemade pastries made by Maxime Orhon, our pastry chef. At the turn of a stroll or simply passing through, you are welcome to take a break in the middle of the vineyards every afternoon from Tuesday to Friday from 3 to 6 pm, booking is recommended. In the summer, enjoy the terrace. Inn located close to a hiking trail.

Inn in the middle of the vineyards with a unique traditional menu that changes every two weeks, and a market menu only for lunch during the week. Fresh produce and homemade cooking. You can also find a vegetarian/vegan menu and gluten-free dishes. During the scallop season, the Auberge offers a special menu during the whole period. It is possible to order take-away meals. Open from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner (closed on Sunday and Monday). Terrace in summer with a view of the vineyards. The Auberge la Gaillotière offers a shop on the spot with our home-made products, our book, local products. The Auberge la Gaillotière has opened a new reception room for meetings or cocktails, it is also a place that takes the form of a tea room in the afternoon. Reception from Tuesday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm.

Holiday gite in a delightful 19th century building with 5 bedrooms, each sleeping 4 people. 4 WCs. 3 wash basins. 2 showers. Set of facilities for disabled visitors. Building opposite with living room (60 sq.m), 2 WCs, 2 wash basins. Kitchen. One bedroom with TV. Central heating. Car park. Garden. The gite is in a peaceful, relaxing, woodland setting in La Cour de l'Epinay which is 15 minutes from the centre of Nantes.

4 GÎTES for 2 to 4 people. (14-16 people)2 LEISURE RESIDENCES (12-16 people)