Explore Thourie, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany

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.  

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.

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

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.

This track is very pleasant for those who like quiet walks.

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.

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.  

A renovated mill with uninterrupted views of a 4-ha, private fishing lake. Enclosed garden of 1500m² with fenced patio overlooking lake. GR.FL: Hall. Bedroom 1: twin beds, en-suite bathroom. Bedroom 2: twin beds, en-suite shower room. WC. Laundry room. UPSTAIRS: Lounge/diner with single sofa bed and open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 3: double bed, en-suite shower room. WC. Additional facilities: freezer, tumble-drier, baby equipment, washmachine. Price includes gas-fired heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and firewood. Châteaubriant 7km. Le plus : a beautiful, relaxing setting

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.

Former farm building in a hilly setting on the banks of Le Semnon stream.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

Set-price workday menus during the week

Turkish specialities

Bivouacs must be booked in advance, if possible, by calling 06 63 95 88 14. Possibility of using shower and WC Showers, toilets, sinks, electricity, kitchen area 500m from the swin golf course, bar, small restaurant, bed and breakfast, golfing activities.

4 guest rooms located in the heart of the countryside, near the swin-golf.