Guichen, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne

You can meet at the "Place du Champ de Foire" of Nozay to begin this historical trail. Step by step, you will discover the history of the shale, this characteristic local rock has been a huge part of Nozay’s landscape. It has been sculpted to pave the Roman roads, then to build manors, barns, calvaries, churches or wash houses and ovens…, the blue slate is everywhere. On your way, do not hesitate to open the doors of "L’Enclos", an ancient churchyard of medieval architecture made in shale, ranked as a historic monument. Then, you can walk along the variant of "Les Grées" (no access with horses), that has an interpretive trail in which you will go in an ancient blue slate quarry transformed into a sports natural area (rock-climbing, mountain bike and orienteering).

The area of Malansac extends from Rochefort-en-Terre (town listed as a "Petite Cité de Caractère"), to the Grées, a shale and slate-like strip that towers over the Valley of Arz. The Circuit des Ardoisières offers fantastic views but be careful; due to the presence of old open pit mines, it is recommended that you stay on the marked path. VTT marks n°5 blue

In the beginning, it is large roads and farmer tracks that invite us to continue in the countryside. Then from little villages to isolated hamlets, the trail alternates between small roads and small underwood trails to prepare us for the adventure to come. Further away, the silhouette of the tin mine of Abbaretz dominates the landscape and there are also small trails that you can discover. On the other side, the lunar atmosphere of the mine invites us for a few moments of amazement before going back on the path of the peaceful shores of the lake of Gruellau.

Rochefort-en-Terre is very lucky to have a rich architectural heritage. Thanks to the local government’s desire to maintain and protect the site, this village is now classified as a Petite Cité de Caractère (an award honouring the remarkable architectural heritage and landscape of small villages in France). Rochefort-en-Terre is also part of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages in France) and Villes Fleuris (an award recognising a town’s respect for the environment, protection of a social and community network, and quality of its tourist facilities) with four flowers thanks to the combined efforts by the community and residents. Starting from Place du Puits, take Rue des Scourtets, and then, Chemin des Douves, located to your right. Walk along the strongholds and fortifications built during the 14th and 16th centuries.

This long loop passes through large wooded areas of oak and chestnut trees, including the Grand Val at the bottom of which flows Matz Creek. It leads to the Valley of Trévelo Creek, which separates the towns of Caden and Limerzel.

To the north of Questembert, the town of Molac is perched on a hill overlooking the Valley of Arz. The town's architectural heritage reflects its history, which is thousands of years old. The trail heads toward the River Arz and takes the Voie Verte (Green Lane), the old railway. It crosses the Grées (shale-like hills) of Lindeul. Finally, it penetrates the vast forest of Lanvaux. Please follow the yellow marks.

Following the towpath along the Nantes-Brest canal for several kilometres, this trail will also take you on a discovery of the bucolic paths of Blain’s countryside.

It is a pleasant trail with a mixture between culture and nature that will allow you to discover the imposing medieval fortress the Castle of la Groulaie, and the Saint Roch chapel that was edified in the 15th century. After wondering around the countryside, you will walk along the Nantes-Brest canal on the towpath to come back to the port.

The Arcades The departure point, in Nort-sur-Erdre, is from the road of Issé at the parking of La Belletière. Go and discover a trail that you have never seen before by taking the edges of the feeding conduct. Also known as the “Little Canal”, the conduct joins the Lake of Vioreau to the Nantes-Brest Canal, from the lock house of “Pas d’Héric”. It allows that the first section of the canal has water to balance the reduction of water due to the lockage and evaporation of water during the summer. Its construction is a technical piece of art. With a slope of only 14 centimetres per kilometre of 21.3 kilometres long, the feeding conduct goes through the high Valley of the Erdre thanks to 4 aqueducts from 8 to 10 arches and goes underground on over 600 metres. It is covered by a lot of little bridges of quaint stones. Depending on the season, you will see the Castle of la Lucinière and its wooded domain on the other side of the Valley of the Erdre.

Spend a sensational hour at the Piloting School in Rennes. Accompanied by an instructor, take control of a tourist airplane! Spend a sensational hour at the Piloting School in Rennes and take control of a tourist airplane while accompanied by an instructor,  Make the most of this activity for two and soar through the air. Learn the theoretical basics of piloting a tourist airplane from your instructor. You will be taught how to taxi, take off, turn and land. Before taking off, you will learn all about the plane as explained by your teacher. Then, led by your pilot-guide, take turns sitting at the helm of the plane and taxi on the runway towards the take-off point. Once in the air, you will feel the thrill of flying through the clouds and take in splendid views of Brittany’s landscapes. Treat yourself by choosing this activity for two and have a sensational experience at the helm of a tourist airplane!

Accompanied by your instructor, spend 15 exciting minutes at the Piloting School in Rennes. You will immediately take control of a tourist airplane! Accompanied by your instructor, spend 15 exciting minutes at the Piloting School in Rennes. Then, you will immediately take control of a tourist airplane. Led by your pilot-guide, taxi on the runway towards the take-off point. At take-off time, the pilot will take the controls then let you continue going upwards. Once in the air, you will feel the thrill of flying through the clouds. You can even do some turns, ascents and descents. Take in splendid views of Brittany’s landscapes and enjoy the unique experience of being at the controls. Start your descent towards the runway where your instructor will take back the controls for a short while to land before letting you taxi towards the airport’s parking lot. Treat yourself to this sensational experience at the helm of a tourist airplane!

Spend an unforgettable hour at the Piloting School in Rennes. Take control of a tourist airplane with an instructor. Spend an unforgettable hour at the Piloting School in Rennes and take control of a tourist airplane while accompanied by an instructor. Make the most of this activity and soar through the air. Learn the theoretical basics of piloting a tourist airplane from your instructor. You will be taught how to taxi, take off, turn and land. Before taking off, you will learn all about the plane as explained by your teacher. Then, led by your pilot-guide, sit at the helm of the plane and taxi on the runway towards the take-off point. Once in the air, you will feel the thrill of flying through the clouds. Take in splendid views of Brittany’s landscapes and enjoy the unique experience of being at the controls. Treat yourself by choosing this activity and have a sensational experience at the helm of a tourist airplane!

A 17th century miller's house, restored using natural materials such as slate and lime, with a patio and wooded grounds beside the river Chère on the edge of Brittany. Boules area, rowing boat, canoe and bikes available. The 2 upstairs guest rooms each have an en-suite shower room with WC and antique furniture. Bedroom 1: double bed, single bed. Bedroom 2: double bed. Large character living room with fireplace. Additional facilities: internet access, DVD player, baby equipement, hairdryer, cot. 'Tables d'hôtes' evening meal available featuring local specialities and home-grown organic vegetables (please book beforehand). Le plus: rest and relaxation guaranteed.

The Gite de la Rivière, which has panoramic views of the river Chère, is on the edge of a village at the gateway to Brittany, halfway between Nantes and Rennes, a great place to relax and unwind. Unfenced garden of 200m² with boules alley. Rowing boat, canoe and 2 bikes to borrow, shared with guests from the B&B opposite the gite. GR.FL : Kitchen - lounge opening onto conservatory-dining room. WC. FIRST FL : Bedroom 1 : double bed. Bedroom 2 : twin beds. Shower room with WC. SECOND FL : Bedroom 3 (sloping ceiling) : double bed. Washroom with WC. Additional facilities : WiFi, radio/CD, baby equipment, hair drier. Extra charges for electric heating, electricity, bed linen and towels.

A semi-detached gite, next to another house in the centre of Ruffigné. Unfenced garden of 400m² with patio. GR.FL: Lounge/diner. Kitchen with fireplace. Bathroom with WC. UPSTAIRS: Bedroom 1-2 (large): double bed, single bed. Additional facilities: freezer, DVD player, stereo, baby equipment. Extra charges for oil-fired heating (14€ per day), electricity, bed linen, towels and firewood. Châteaubriant 10km. Le plus: a lovely old building, close to several rivers

Pré du Doué is close to the owners' home in a hamlet in peaceful countryside with footpaths, 15km from Châteaubriant. Unfenced garden of 1000m² with 2 patios (west -facing and east-facing). Stream and wash pool on-site (not fenced). A pretty, detached, single-storey, renovated gite. Lounge-diner with open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1 : double bed. Bedroom 2 : twin beds. Bedroom 3 : king-size bed. Shower room. WC. Additional facilities : radio/CD, DVD player, satellite TV, high chair. Price includes electricity, all linen (beds made on arrival). Extra charges for electric heating (11€/day). Garage for 1 car.

Marie-Thérèse and Bernard welcome guests to their holiday gite in the historic outbuildings of a medieval castle between the rivers Don and Chère. Gr. fl: Reception room for 50 people. Lounge with fireplace. Equipped kitchen. WCs. Bedroom with 4 single beds suitable for disabled visitors with shower room, WC. Upstairs: 4 bedrooms, each with twin beds and bunks, en-suite shower room, WC. Lounge, video, stereo. Tumble dryer. Telephone. Enclosed garden with barbecue. Car park. Camping possible. Groups and seminars welcome. Internet access. Open all year.

Slate mining began around 1878 and finished around 1911. The largest quarry called "Guenfol" or "Blue Lake" had an above ground surface area of 3,500m2. 18 to 20 million slates were extracted per year by nearly 300 labourers. The site was then transformed and today known as "Park de Préhistoire" (Prehistoric Park).

Saint Michel de la Grêle Chapel dates back to the 17th century. It replaced the old Saint Michel Priory, which belonged to the Benedictine Abbey of Redon. Today, the chapel (renovated in the 20th century) is used to celebrate religious services on the feast day of Notre Dame de la Tronchaye (the Sunday following 15 August). Take a few steps back and turn left after the tree-lined alley. Take one of the many small streets of Rochefort. Immediately after, turn left towards Place des Halles.

Hills covered in schist used for building houses and making roof slates. Present in the towns of Pluherlin, Malansac and Rochefort-en-Terre, slate quarries were used from the 13th to early 20th century. There is a great deal of slate located in the village of Rochefort-en-Terre. Today, Les Grées is considered a protected area. You will find Saint Michel Chapel at the end of Place Saint Michel.

Located below the castle and most “noble” houses, this old artisan town symbolically upholds the social hierarchy: the most important people (clergy, public figures and knights) lived on higher ground where as the lowly (tanners, potters, etc.) lived in the lower part of the city. Climb up to your right to Place Saint Michel. Take a look at Les Grées on your left.

As the town’s main square starting from the 17th century, Place des Halles has long been one of the most important places in the city thanks to its economic role (U-shaped covered market used for fairs and markets). It was also used for celebrations and events. To the right of the market is Hôtel Burban, a former 17th century seigniorial prison; to the left, Hôtel Le Pélican, formerly known as Auberge Lecadre, which hosted many painters including Alfred Klots in the late 19th century. The town hall is located in the front of the hotel and decorated with bicentennial wisteria every summer. Go down Rue Candré, located next to the town hall, to Porte de l’Étang.

Admire this turret with oriel windows on this double house, which remarkably combines Gothic and Breton Renaissance styles. Continue towards Place du Puits.

Different architectural periods are displayed through the slate and granite houses with oriel windows and half-timbered façades located on Place du Puits. Check out the scale carved above the door of the Tourist Office (built in the 17th century): the building held the seigniorial court. The town’s first covered market was located on Place du Puits, where the guillotine, used in 1793, was also set up for the execution of three people convicted for counter-revolutionary crimes.

During the 12th century, the castle and city were built on this rocky spur, called “Roche Fort” (large rock). From then on, the place and family were both named “Rochefort”. In the 14th century, the Rochefort family no longer had any heirs and, therefore, married into the Rieux family. The site and feudal castle thus belonged to the Rieux Rocheforts. It was under this family’s reign, especially under Jean IV de Rieux Rochefort, that the city began to thrive. Jean IV, like several other Breton lords, was opposed to the annexation of Brittany by the Kingdom of France. Nonetheless, Charles VIII commanded to destroy all Breton castles, including Rochefort, after winning the battle of St-Aubin-du-Cormier. However, Jean IV was the guardian of Anne of Brittany, who married Charles VIII and became the Queen of France. Therefore, Charles VIII granted Rochefort 100,000 gold coins, which allowed him to rebuild his castle, surround it with strong fortifications and bring canons into the church. The castle was then destroyed during the French Revolution. It was not until the 20th century that the American painter, Alfred Klots, bought the ruins and turned the castle’s old outbuildings into luxurious apartments

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Alpha "The Moulin de Plaisance" is home in the old mill in a restored mill of the nineteenth in a green. "The Store" on the ground floor with a terrace - Space Garden - Swimming pool (solar heated 5X10) - kitchen - living / dining room - 2 bedrooms (1bed 140) (2 beds 90) - Bathroom with toilet - Showeroom with toilet. Comfort: Dishwasher, Microwave, Internet, Hi-Fi, DVD, garden furniture, barbecue. Services +: Sheets and towels included.

"The Moulin de Plaisance" is home to two houses in the old mill in a restored mill of the nineteenth in a green. 1st floor with two terraces wood - spaces garden - Swimming pool (solar heated 5X10) - Kitchen - Living / dining room - 2 bedrooms (1 bed 140) (2 beds 90) - Bathroom with toilet - shower room with washbasin . Comfort: Dishwasher, Microwave, Internet, Hi-Fi, DVD, garden furniture, barbecue. Services +: Sheets and towels included.

A 17th century miller's house, restored using natural materials such as slate and lime, with a patio and wooded grounds beside the river Chère on the edge of Brittany. Boules area, rowing boat, canoe and bikes available. The 2 upstairs guest rooms each have an en-suite shower room with WC and antique furniture. Bedroom 1: double bed, single bed. Bedroom 2: double bed. Large character living room with fireplace. Additional facilities: internet access, DVD player, baby equipement, hairdryer, cot. 'Tables d'hôtes' evening meal available featuring local specialities and home-grown organic vegetables (please book beforehand). Le plus: rest and relaxation guaranteed.