Discover Le Gavre and Surroundings at Camping de la Forêt

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

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.

This track is full of nature and memories.

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

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.

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.

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).

A house in a small, rural hamlet on the edge of the Forêt du Gâvre. Separate, enclosed 200 sq.m. garden, shared with the owner. Table tennis, swings, basketball hoop and table football. Living room with single sofa bed and open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1: double bed. Bedroom 2: double bed, single bed. Shower room. WC. Additional facilities: freezer. Extra charges for electric heating, bed linen, towels and firewood. Blain 7km. Highlight: lots of country walks near the gite

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.

A spacious barn conversion with original exposed stonework in a quiet setting near a poultry farm. B&B on-site. Semi-enclosed 300 sq.m. garden. The interior is furnished with a delightful blend of second-hand objects and curiosities. GR.FL: Large lounge-diner with open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1 (suitable for disabled guests): king-size bed, en-suite shower room, WC. UPSTAIRS: Bedroom 2: 4 extra-long single beds. Bedroom 3: king-size bed, bunk beds. Bedroom 4: king-size bed, twin beds. Bathroom. WC. Additional facilities: Internet access, baby equipment, flat screen Tv and radio. Price includes aerothermal heating, elect., bed linen, towels and end-of-stay cleaning.

Let yourself be rocked to sleep by the arms of the Assoupie, at the foot of the Château de la Groulais. There is nothing better for a change of scenery than a stroll on the canal’s bank, a restaurant a few steps away and a tour around the castle. (On reservation)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Restaurant on the side of the canal from Nantes to Brest offers a traditional and exotic cuisine.

This restaurant offers an authentic and tasty local cuisine.

This restaurant offers a traditional cuisine

Restaurant located in the city centre

This pizzeria located in the city centre offers Italian specialities

Restaurant located in the city centre

Restaurant in the city centre offers pancakes and grills, made with local products

Fast-food in the city centre serves kebabs with fries and salad.

Pizzeria-crêperie located in the city centre. Serves pizzas, home-made buckwheat pancakes but also salads with fresh products or a grill.

75 pitches, the biggest has 280 m2, most average 150 m2 The Camping de la Forêt is located on the edge of the town (300 m), between a lake and the Gâvre forest. Highlights are the large pitches and the quiet environment. 5 cabins for 6 to 8 people for rent Thursday nights (juillet - mid september): Market with local products Close to: Tennis, town stadium, forest In town: La Maison de la Fôret with 19th century interior, ancient wood crafts, animations and occassional exhibitons Also: Bakery, hair dresser, bar & newspaper shop, pharmacy, post office, delicatessen Fishing pond Gourmet restaurant in town Close by: Nantes-Brest Canal, pool, Blain Castle, cinema (at 6 km) Several festivities in town: Lily of the valley Day, Forest Festival, Chestnut Festival In short: A SMALL PARADISE OF GREENARY, ALL NATURAL...

A large site at the entrance of the city, along the lake and close to Le Gâvre forest. 2 hiking departure points.

A unique offer in the area, the Domaine provides various facilities for rental (kitchen, cold-storage room, multiple rooms, 70 beds, park) to meet your needs at an affordable cost.

Feel right at home in those cottages whether you are on a weekend, on vacation, in family, participating in a seminar, or just passing by. Each cottage has a private patio with garden furniture. Indoor swimming pool heated all year long, fitness room.

The Auberge de la Forêt du Gâvre started as a post house, then turned into a refreshment bar, before becoming an inn, with Francesca Gouret at its head, and chef Bertrand Poulaud in the kitchen. Access to the indoor, heated swimming pool all year long. Fitness room. Free WiFi.

A house in a small, rural hamlet on the edge of the Forêt du Gâvre. Separate, enclosed 200 sq.m. garden, shared with the owner. Table tennis, swings, basketball hoop and table football. Living room with single sofa bed and open-plan kitchen. Bedroom 1: double bed. Bedroom 2: double bed, single bed. Shower room. WC. Additional facilities: freezer. Extra charges for electric heating, bed linen, towels and firewood. Blain 7km. Highlight: lots of country walks near the gite

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.

This small house, built in the late 19th century, regained its warm atmosphere when it was renovated with natural materials (hemp, lime, stones and beams). It can accommodate 4 people, and has a garden and a patio. Ground floor: fitted kitchen, lounge (TV and VCR), dining room, bathroom, toilet. Upstairs: 2 bedrooms. Outside: fenced garden with a patio. Overnight stay possible. Baby equipment. English spoken.

Stone house of 70 m² in a bucolic setting. Terrace - Garden - Ground floor. kitchen with living / dining room - a room (1 bed 160) - Bathroom with toilet - Upstairs bedroom with 2 beds of 90 and a trundle bed 80. Facilities: Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Microwave, TV, Internet, Garden, Barbecue.