Camping Écoloire: Discover Varades and Loire-Atlantique

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.

The marshes of Blanche Noë are in the south of Nort-sur-Erdre in which you can find an ornithological and aquatic site allowing you discover its fauna and its flora. At the beginning of the lake, have a walk along the river Erdre to arrive at Port Mulon’s Castle and its park. Appreciate the charming villages of “Tomblehoux”, “Gâtine” and “La Poupinière” and see the vantage point on the river Erdre and the plains. Then, join the canal and by going through the moat and see the viewpoint from Quihex’s lockhouse and further along eat at the gourmet terrace of La Tindière. To finish go through the village of Le Plessis pas Brunet to go back to the lake.

Discover the Plains of Mazerolles, a vast expanse of water of 3 kilometres long and 1 kilometre large. With a little bit of patience, you may see herons on the shores and a lot of other birds during migration season. Labelled refuge of the French League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), the site has also three beehives financed by the collectivity and an orchard. A themed path has also been created by the Municipality. The trail begins on the edges of the river Erdre to go through the undergrowth alleys, steep paths and goes through adorable little villages. It is possible to join the port of Sucé-sur-Erdre if you take the Atlantic Coast Route, or from the city-centre for this hike. The departure point is from the nautical base of Mazerolles.

Prepare yourself for a hike of 2 hours long with 500 metres along the water. You will admire the vast expanse of the Plains of Mazerolles with 3 kilometres long and 1 kilometre large. This site is ideal for kids. It is also possible to go fishing for people with reduced mobility. Or you can have a picnic or some sport. At the end of this loop, you will see the Castle of La Baraudière surrounded by its stone walls from the 19th century and not far from there the Castle of Bois Mellet. A plate has been placed at the entry and it is written “qui a accueilli, cache et protégé les résistants de la région” which means “that has hosted, hided and protected the resistants of the region”.

The beginning of the hike starts at the parking of the train station. This trail has several variants that allows you to go on real steep trails like a maze with parallel roads. It has a distinguished atmosphere, secret and mesmerising. When you come back, go down to the port where you will find our restaurants and for those who love nature, make a stop to the “Ganuchaud” botanic garden which is located at the end of “la rue d’Angleterre”. Also, pass by “La Cour Gaillard” which is in “La Grand-Rue” and was edified by protestants at the Edit of Nantes. This site stays, until 1685, an important protestant place.

The Circuit of Vive-Eve Discover the atmosphere of the Nantes-Brest Canal, its towpath converted for different types of hiking, its lock-houses, water tourism, fishing … On this itinerary, taken by cyclists on the Atlantic Coast Route and pilgrims of Saint Jacques of Compostelle, the towpath will guide you to the lock house of La Tindière and its gourmet terrace. You can park at the Vive-Eve bridge where you will have an information sign on the history of the Canal and picnic tables. From this parking it is also possible to extend your walk the other way to the lock house of Quihex. You will see a remarkable view of the plains of La Poupinière and the Valley of the Erdre

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.

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.

La Corbelière, an oasis in the heart of the bocage. Come and discover the rural landscapes of this authentic site. Access : In Mauléon, take the D156 in the direction of Moulins until you reach the town hall car park at the entrance to the village. Departure : Car park of the town hall Distance : 2 km

Charming campsite in the countryside, along the Loire and the route of the Loire Cycling. Close to shopping and entertainment, this site will delight nature lovers looking for a peaceful and respectful of nature. This preserved green area is the ideal place to relax in serenity. Many activities and entertainment in season. 100 pitches .

The Hostellerie de la Gabelle , located on the shores of the Loire, offers 15 newly renovated rooms in the historic center of Saint Florent le Vieil, some with a view of the Loire ! Simple and functional , all rooms are equipped with private bathroom with shower or bath and toilet. Each room has a TV and a telephone hotline. We also have a room accessible to people with reduced mobility. A continental breakfast, with buffet is served in the dining room from 7:00 am. Rooms are available from 1.00 pm and must be vacated by 11:00 am. The hotel is open every day of the week . The reception is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Traditional restaurant located across from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil Abbey.

The castle with its 17 duo tone towers is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in France! Inside, you will find the 14th century ‘Apocalypse Tapestry’. Measuring 103 metres in length, it the largest of all medieval woven tapestries.

Following a visit to the castle, take a walk along the ‘Bout du Monde’ with its impressive views of the river Maine and the château.

Since 1984, the restored 'L’abbatiale Toussaint' (the abbey-church of All Saints - 13th Century) has housed the works of the sculptor David d’Angers (1788-1856). Included are monuments, commissioned work (such as the façade of the Pantheon), and a gallery of contemporary busts and medallions.

The garden of the Museum of Fine Arts and the St-Eloi Place are accessed via the entrance to the museum on Rue Toussaint.

Built in the 15th century by Olivier Barrault, the king’s secretary and treasurer of Britain, this magnificent site now houses the Museum of Fine Arts with collections displaying the history and heritage of Angers. There is more than 3,000m² of permanent exhibition space with further space put aside for temporary exhibits that alternate between the historical and the contemporary. Among the masterpieces on show are works from Lippi, Jordaens, Champaigne, Fragonard, Chardin, Watteau, Ingres, or Morellet.

The first recorded example of Plantagenet gothic architecture. The cathedral is full of stunning features including its elaborate facade and stone carvings (grimacing faces, monsters and acrobats), and the stained glass window - the oldest of which dates back to 1165 AD.

The restaurant offers regional gastronomic tradition, prepared with local, delicate and tasty products. Discover the restaurant and its chef, Franck Redureau that will awaken your senses with gourmet cuisine, authentic and generous. Located in an exceptional setting along the Loire. You will have the possibility to taste the specialties of the restaurant, including fish from the Loire, in one of the panoramic rooms with terrace, with stunning views of the Loire. Every product is fresh, vegetables, meat , poultry, cheeses come from local production. These local products are carefully selected by a leader to resume a lasting relationship with small producers of Maine and Loire. Groups from 20 to 60 people by reservation (menus made ​​with the group).

Traditional restaurant located across from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil Abbey.

Restaurant on the banks of the Loire River, in an exceptional setting facing St-Florent-le-Vieil Abbey.

Charming campsite in the countryside, along the Loire and the route of the Loire Cycling. Close to shopping and entertainment, this site will delight nature lovers looking for a peaceful and respectful of nature. This preserved green area is the ideal place to relax in serenity. Many activities and entertainment in season. 100 pitches .

The Hostellerie de la Gabelle , located on the shores of the Loire, offers 15 newly renovated rooms in the historic center of Saint Florent le Vieil, some with a view of the Loire ! Simple and functional , all rooms are equipped with private bathroom with shower or bath and toilet. Each room has a TV and a telephone hotline. We also have a room accessible to people with reduced mobility. A continental breakfast, with buffet is served in the dining room from 7:00 am. Rooms are available from 1.00 pm and must be vacated by 11:00 am. The hotel is open every day of the week . The reception is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Hotel on the banks of the Loire opposite the St-Florent-Le-Vieil abbey.