Discover the charm of Langon, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany

The trail makes you enter the most beautiful parts of the forest of the Gâvre.

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 track is full of nature and memories.

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

This walking trail was created by students between the ages of 8 and 13 of the elementary school of Saint Omer de Blain and the middle school of Saint Laurent de Blain.

This track guides you along a section of the canal from Nantes to Brest and through the countryside for 13 km.

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 wandering around the countryside, you will walk along the Nantes-Brest canal on the towpath to come back to the port.

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.  

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 gîte has a 500 m² garden with barbecue and car park. Ground floor: living room for 50 people, lounge (fireplace, table football, TV and 2 convertible sofa beds), fitted kitchen, 3 separate WCs, 1 bedroom with 5 single beds (disabled access), private bathroom and WC. Upstairs: 2 bedrooms with 5 single beds, 2 bedrooms with 4 single beds, including 1 bunk bed in each upstairs bedroom. Private bathroom and wc in each bedroom. 1 mezzanine (2 convertible sofa beds). Wood-fired boiler, lime/hemp insulation. Facilities: telephone, DVD player, video projector, hi-fi system, Wi-Fi access, tumble dryer, washing machine, table football, cot and high chair on request. Groups and seminars welcome. Room for 50 people included in the Grand Gîte rental or to rent separately from Monday to Friday: €90 per 1/2 day, €190 per day. 2 other gîtes are located on site: Le Gîte de la Cour (11 people) and Le Gîte Ker Anna (12 people). Includes: heating by wood-fired boiler, wood, electricity and made-up beds. Not included: bathroom linen. PLEASE NOTE: The Gîte de la Cour is always rented with the Grand Gîte at weekends between 1 April and 1 October. The rest of the year (from October to March), you can book the number of gîtes of your choice for 1 night or more if you wish. Total capacity of 42 beds for these 2 gîtes. Possibility of adding the Ker Anna gîte for a maximum of 50 beds.

A tastefully converted barn with exposed beams and stonework, near the owners' dairy farm in the country. Wooded, unfenced garden (1,100 sq.m.) with swings. GR.FL: Large lounge-diner with open-plan kitchen. WC. Bedroom 1 (suitable for disabled guests): double bed, en-suite shower room with WC. Bedroom 2: double bed, bunk beds, en-suite shower room with WC. UPSTAIRS: Bedroom 3: king-size bed. Children's sleeping area with bunk beds. Bathroom with WC. Additional facilities: flat-screen TV, radio, WiFi. Price includes electricity, gas heating, bed linen and towels. Nantes 40km, Châteaubriant 35km.

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.

This 16th century public washhouse got its water from Le Candré River. A private washhouse is also located nearby. Turn around, take Rue de l’Étang and go back up to Place de l’Église.

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.

Very recently renovated, the Boudafay gite is a 300 m² former farmhouse full of character offering up to 15 beds in 6 bedrooms with a 140 m² living room and a heated indoor swimming pool in a 110 m2 room adjoining the house. You'll enjoy a large plot in the peace and quiet of the countryside, surrounded by 25 hectares of land. The nearest neighbours are 450 m away as the crow flies. In a bucolic setting, this gîte is located around one kilometre from the Vilaine river.

Rejuvenate at the Camping du Port in Beslé-sur-Vilaine, in a green and peaceful setting on the banks of the Vilaine. For a stopover or a real holiday, the Camping du Port welcomes you from April to September.

Stopover gite for pilgrims (with credencial) on the route to Santiago de Compostela, Mont St Michel and the via Ligeria.

"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.

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.