Discover the Wonders of Rouans, Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire

Hello boy !

With this trail you will be able to see the cross of the castle situated “impasse du château” and the castle de la Bretonnière which was built in the 15th century. At the end of the trail, you will see the “Moulin Neuf”, which was built in 1702 and is open to the public thanks to an association.

This trail starts at the Jules Vernes car park in La Paquelais.

This trail starts at the Jules Vernes car park in La Paquelais.

This pleasant path of 11 km will guide you along le Cens and le Gesvres through Vigneux-de-Bretagne where these two rivers take source.

This trail starts near the RN 171. This trail will take you to the “Calan” stream, it will charm you with its panoramic view.

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.

The windmill of “Foucré”, recently renovated, is worth the detour. This windmill is from the end of the 16th century, which makes it the oldest monument of the town. It is called a windmill “à petit pied”, it is characteristic of Brittany’s windmills. The lowest part is narrower than the highest part of the structure, hence the name “à petit pied” (literal translation: little foot).

Welcome to the walking trail of “Pont Bernard”, situated in the town of Notre-Dame-des-Landes, this trail will allow you to discover unexpected parts of the countryside. This 14 km track will guide you through the woods, small villages. This path of astounding diversity is a real opportunity to escape and discover.

This trail guides you through the village of “La Gaulais”, where the portion of land named in the 15th century “le Champ Dumont” is. A church was meant to be built, but when they brought the stones for it, they would always disappear once nightfall. Thus, the construction was impossible. Some thought there was something evil so they named it “Le Champ Démon”. This is also where, in the 20th century, the oldest windmill of Bouvron was. Nowadays, it offers a great view !

Bridge near the small canal

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nestling along the peaceful Canal de Buzay in Rouans, Le Grand Chemin restaurant offers a culinary escapade in a verdant setting. Here, tradition meets innovation with pebble cooking, offering unique flavours and an unforgettable taste experience. In this warm setting, let yourself be seduced by traditional cuisine featuring fresh, local produce, for a gourmet interlude in the heart of nature. We love it! Cooking on pebbles for dishes full of unique flavours. The warm, friendly atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing break. The selection of fresh, local produce, guaranteeing authentic, tasty cuisine.

"Come and experience Italy for a pizza! ". Here's an invitation rich in gourmet delights, with hints of sunshine, holidays and travel to Sicily. Based in Cheix-en-Retz, Carmelo and Anna welcome you to their restaurant with a takeaway menu or to enjoy on the spot, based on the Italian tradition and carefully selected quality products. The icing on the cake is the pizzaiolo's traditional skills and wood-fired cooking. Among Carmelo's specialities, we suggest you try : The "Siciliana" pizza, with mozzarella, tomato, olives and anchovies. The Etna pizza, with mozzarella, spianata piccante, nduja, red onions and basil. The "Alpina" pizza, with fresh mozzarella, Taleggio, red onions, rosemary-browned potatoes and pepper guanciale. Fresh from the oven: mint, semi-dried tomatoes. Tiramisù all'amaretto, a Sicilian speciality... to die for! The little extra: a fine selection of Italian wines and beers. "Benvenuti a casa nostra e buon appetito!" Ibla Restaurant is one of the Cheix-en-Retz restaurants presented by the Destination Pornic Tourist Office.

Whether you're in the mood for a morning coffee or a lunch break on the road between Nantes and Pornic, you can stop off halfway at the Passe-moi l'Sel restaurant. Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4pm, this establishment offers traditional, home-cooked cuisine. Choice of dishes: a set menu with a buffet of starters, a dish of the day or a grill and a selection of desserts an à la carte menu with a choice of burgers, mixed salads, grilled meats, etc. Passe-moi l'sel is one of the restaurants in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons featured by the Destination Pornic Tourist Office.

Here, time slows down. You sit down, enjoy and share. At L'Esplanade, we cook with heart, with care, with a sincere desire to please. The products are simple, local and in season. What makes them exceptional is the expertise of Chloé, our chef, and the love we put into every dish. Our cuisine is authentic, gourmet and generous, but above all open to all: whether you're a meat or fish lover, or looking for vegetarian options, our menu varies and adapts to your tastes. We don't follow a set theme, but a single guideline: to please you, with sincerity and flexibility. L'Esplanade is a place to get together. With friends, family, lovers or solo. It's a place where you can feel good, with the smell of a dish simmering, the smile of a waiter, the song of toasting glasses. A landmark for epicureans, the curious and the faithful, from near and far. A corner of the Loire, a corner of happiness. A moment apart. A suspended moment on the banks of the Loire.

L'Ancre d'Or offers traditional cuisine with homemade dishes. A place where you can eat well and get great value for money. For lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the chef offers a choice of three starters, main courses and desserts, such as tartines au curé nantais, seafood puff pastries, terrines, skate wings, rabbit, tarte tatin, etc. Takeaway pizzas are available from Thursday to Sunday! Situated in the heart of the village, this is a great place to discover or rediscover, whether you're just passing through or are a local. Other services on site: bar, tobacconist, press, PMU.

In season, La Cale Sauvage has a guinguette restaurant open from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime! Discover and take a break in the guinguette: enjoy a drink with friends or family over an aperitif plank, then let yourself be tempted by a menu featuring fresh produce! There will be live music at weekends.

Practicality and accessibility: the motorhome park is a chargeable Camping-car Park accessible with a barrier 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Our advice: the area is shaded and located near the river, so you can enjoy peace and quiet in all seasons! discover a marshy landscape, a vast green setting with remarkable flora and fauna set off on one of the hiking trails popular with cyclists and nature lovers alike the area lends itself perfectly to a spot of fishing on the banks of the canal, or a tour of the marshes with a view of the Tour de Buzay for a bite to eat, the restaurant Le Grand Chemin is open all year round, just 50 metres from the campsite. A little background information: The 1987 film "Le Grand Chemin", directed in Rouans by Jean Loup Hubert, was awarded a César and gave its name to the hiking trail at the foot of the nature reserve. This shady 22 km route will take you through the varied landscapes of the commune. A number of monuments still bear witness to the town's ancient heritage: the Tour de Buzay, the only vestige of the Cistercian abbey (12th century), the former presbytery (17th century) and the neo-Gothic church of Saint Martin. Discover all the treasures of Rouans here

"The workshop 88", guest house with separate entrance nestled in a restored farmhouse artist in the Pays de Retz. Located on Route Loire by bike, near the Canal de La Martinière halfway between Nantes and Pornic you can relax and enjoy the lovely garden. House of character with a bed of 130 and a bathroom open to the bedroom. Breakfast is served on the terrace in fine weather or in the owner's house.

Spacious house for 18 people, set in 10 hectares of wooded parkland, with 9 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and 3 large reception areas: ideal for holidays, themed breaks or seminars. Domaine de Pierre Levée is 20 minutes from the ring road and Nantes-Atlantique airport, and half an hour from Nantes city centre. It's also just 15 minutes from Pornic and the Atlantic coast, so you can take full advantage of all the coastal activities. PRACTICAL INFO Linen provided: sheets, mats and towels, tea towels, hand towels. Cleaning service provided at the end of your stay Private access to the grounds In season: private access to the heated swimming pool, with deckchairs and parasol available Garden furniture, armchairs and tables, barbecue, parasol available Equipment available as standard: dishwasher, fridge, oven, large cooker, coffee machine, kettle, washing machine, tumble dryer, hairdryer, etc. Baby equipment available on request: cradle, bed, high chair, changing table, etc. All rental charges (water, electricity, heating) included PLEASE NOTE: Pool and beach towels are not provided. Please bring your own...