Saint-aubin-des-chateaux, 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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Set-price workday menus during the week

On the banks of the lake, we offer a new menu every week, as well as a menu of galettes, crêpes and ice creams. Creperie and traditional cuisine Open on summer afternoons.

50-seat capacity

The cosy, contemporary decor is sure to please, and weather permitting, you can enjoy lunch on the terrace in this former school courtyard.

45-seat capacity

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)

Nearby attractions: - A woodland path accessible to people with reduced mobility (Sion-les-Mines) - The Pont-Godalin water mill (Sion-les-Mines) - The Saint-Marcellin chapel (Mouais) - Intercommunal aquatic centre (Derval)

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.

VILLAGE INN

Housed in a character building, restored using natural materials, our gîte is located on an organic farm. on an organic farm. On the ground floor, you'll appreciate the conviviality of an open-plan kitchen the spacious and bright living room. Upstairs, 14 beds (90 x 190) in 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms/wc. Garden with trees 700 m2 and terrace around the gîte. On-site hiking trails and access to the greenway 2 km away. Organic produce sold on the farm on Tuesdays and Fridays.

A bedroom with a double bed and a bathroom on the first floor of the house. There is a secure storage area for bicycles.