Louisfert, Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire

To begin this trail, meet up at the parking lot of the slag heap of Abbaretz. This former mining site is worth it. During the time of Julius Caesar, this mining site was one of the most important sources of tin. The climb of the 200 steps will take you to a unique view of the region.  

Be careful, after a collapse, a detour is in place at the start of the trail at the parking lot of “La Belletière”. 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.

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).

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.

This nice and quiet track guides you to the fountain Saint-Clair. Its waters were famous for its healing properties.

This track is full of nature and memories.

Beginning at the city center, this trail guides you to the higher ground called the “Mont Juillet”. At the pond of “La Martellière”, you will find tables and a playground.  

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.

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.

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 detached, single-storey house in quiet, restful countryside. Enclosed garden (900m²) with trees, a patio and children's play equipment (boules, badminton net and rackets, football and basketball). 2 adult bikes to borrow. Lounge-diner with open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1: double bed. Bedroom 2 (small): twin beds. Shower room. WC. Additional facilities: radio/CD player, freezer. Price includes bed linen (beds made on arrival) and towels. Electricity and electric heating extra.

A lovely, stone-built house in a quiet, natural setting, great for relaxing and enjoying countryside activities. Unfenced garden of 800m² with swings, slide and sandpit. GR.FL: Large lounge. Living room with open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1: twin beds. Bathroom. WC. Storeroom. UPSTAIRS : Bedroom 2: twin beds. Bedroom 3: twin beds (80cm). Bedroom 4: trundle bed. Shower room. WC. Additional facilities: WiFi, baby equipment, stereo, flat-screen TV, DVD player, video player + cassettes, freezer. Price includes heating (wood pellets) and electricity. Additional charges for bed linen, towels, household linen and firewood. Nantes 50km.

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.

An old detached house, restored in 2016 using quality materials (lime, brick, stone...) in keeping with tradition, beside a river and a fishing lake at the heart of the La Forge area, well-known for its wildlife. East-facing patio (accessible from upstairs) and private, enclosed wooded garden (300m²) beside the river (5m from gite). Fishing store (fridge and tank with ventilator). GR.FL: Lounge-diner with wood-burning stove. Kitchen. Bedroom 1: double bed. Bedroom 2 (small with glass wall and curtain): single bed. Shower room. WC. UPSTAIRS: Bedroom 3: king-size bed, single bed. Shower room with WC. Additional facilities: WiFi, flat-screen TV, radio/CD, tumble drier, baby equipment. Price includes bed linen (beds made on arrival). Extra charges for heating (wood and electric), electricity a

A semi-detached gite, next to the owners' home in a longhouse deep in the country. Enclosed garden of 250m² with patio. Swings, slide and sandpit. GR.FL: Large lounge/diner with open-plan, fitted kitchen. Shower room. WC. Boiler room. UPSTAIRS: Bedroom 1: king-size bed, 2: twin beds and 3: extra-long twin beds (can be pushed together). Shower room. WC. Additional facilities: freezer, CD player, baby equipment. Extra charges for oil-fired heating (11€ per day), bed linen and towels. Lac de Vioreau (swimming) 7km. Châteaubriant 16km. Le plus : a harmonious blend of traditional and modern styles.

A semi-detached gite next to the owners' home in quiet countryside, 7km from Châteaubriant and 59km from Rennes. Enclosed, south-facing patio area (400m²). GR.FL: Lounge-diner with open-plan kitchen. Shower room with WC. UPSTAIRS: Bedroom 1: double bed. Bedroom 2: twin beds. Bedroom 3: single bed. Additional facilities: WiFi, radio/CD player, flat-screen TV, tumble drier, freezer. Price includes bed linen and towels. Extra charges for electricity and electric heating. Nantes and Angers 75km.

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

Bridge near the small canal

Buildings from the former 17th century Presbytery were restored and transformed into the town hall in 2007 and "Les Digitales" Art Centre in 2011. The Art Centre is a place for activities and exhibits. It displays different models of farming machinery from the collection of Mr Sevestre, a passionate farmer from Caden, and holds a museum presenting farming activities from yesterday and today with interviews from local farmers.

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).

It was restored in the 18th century by the rector of Caden, Jean-Louis de la Houssaye. The date "1756" is written over the side door. It is one of the six friar chapels of Caden. The inside is decorated with 21th century frescos painted by a local artist representing landscapes of the surrounding countryside.

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.

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.

50-seat capacity

45-seat capacity

In a graceful, soothing setting, you can enjoy refined cuisine, accompanied by sumptuous, flavoursome dishes, thought out and prepared with precision by the chef and his teams. All in a setting where charm and elegance go hand in hand. With 8 fully flexible function rooms, La Ferrière is the ideal venue for weddings and other private or business functions.

VILLAGE INN

The Hôtel Restaurant Inn Design in Châteaubriant is a two-star hotel with 38 comfortable, economical rooms. It has been awarded the "Accueil Vélo" label since August 2024. To cycle to the hotel from Châteaubriant castle: www.openrunner.com/route-details/19956504

Campsite open from 2 May to 30 September. 35 pitches for tents or caravans. Reception at the campsite: May: 8am to 9am and 4pm to 5.30pm June and September: 8am to 10am and 5.30pm to 7pm July and August: 8am to 11.30am and 3.30pm to 8.30pm

Nearby attractions: - The Louères menhir (Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux) - The Chapelle des Templiers (Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux) - The Hunaudière Forges (Sion-les-Mines) - House of the writer René-Guy Cadou (Louisfert)

A detached, single-storey house in quiet, restful countryside. Enclosed garden (900m²) with trees, a patio and children's play equipment (boules, badminton net and rackets, football and basketball). 2 adult bikes to borrow. Lounge-diner with open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1: double bed. Bedroom 2 (small): twin beds. Shower room. WC. Additional facilities: radio/CD player, freezer. Price includes bed linen (beds made on arrival) and towels. Electricity and electric heating extra.