Tour of the Nantes Region (Loire-Atlantique)

Starting in Mauves-sur-Loire, offering a natural balcony overlooking the river before crossing the market gardens of Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, the trail ventures south, following the Sèvre Nantaise river to Vertou and opening onto the Grand-Lieu Lake nature reserve in Saint-Aignan, a bird sanctuary. Reaching the banks of the Loire at Le Pellerin, hikers discover a fascinating industrial and maritime heritage, marked by the former shipyards of Couëron. The northward journey crosses the verdant valleys of the Cens and the Chézine between Sautron and Orvault, revealing unspoiled nature. The route then follows the banks of the Erdre river, from La Chapelle-sur-Erdre to the heart of Nantes, where the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) bears witness to a prestigious past.

The Pays Nantais, a historic crossroads between Brittany and the Loire Valley, boasts a unique identity forged by its river and its maritime connections. Dominated by the elegant Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes, the region bears witness to a prestigious past, blending medieval heritage with the industrial boldness of the former shipyards. Architectural heritage is also expressed in the Graslin district and its covered passages, symbols of a prosperity linked to Atlantic trade. Moving away from the city, the landscape transforms into a vast patchwork of vineyards, the birthplace of Muscadet wine, where villages like Clisson lend a touch of Tuscany with their red tiles and bricks. Nature is inextricably linked to water here, from the wild banks of the Loire to the mysterious calm of Lake Grand-Lieu, one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Europe. The banks of the Erdre, described by Francis I as "the most beautiful river in France," reveal a succession of exquisitely landscaped châteaux and parks. Towards the estuary, the salt marshes of Guérande and the cliffs of the Côte d'Amour complete this diverse natural panorama.

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