Places to go in Chateaubriant, France
"Do you know this region with a Brittany heart, less than an hour from Nantes, Rennes, Angers and the Atlantic coast?
Just for the day, or a week-end, or even more, the Land of Blue Stone is waiting for you to discover it. Enjoy your visit
Welcome to the Chateaubriant District,"
(Chateaubriant Tourist Office)
Places to go, things to do - The History of the Western Loire France
La Vieille Ville - the heart of the old city spreads out at the foot of the Brient fortress . Beautiful medieval buildings are a witness of the rich past of this walled city.
Le Chateau - the strength of a medieval fortress and the charm of the Renaissance is combined.
Le Manoir de la Petite Haie - Built in 15th and 16th centuries in blue schist, it represents perfectly the stately architecture of the District of Chateaubriant.
La Tour Saint Clair - A unique castle keep, English stronghold during the Hundred Years' War, repeatedly attacked by Bertrand Duguesclin.
Le Chateau de la Motte-Glain - Rebuilt in the 15th century by Pierre de Rohan. Decorated in sculpted tufa stone.
Abbey Notre Dame de Melleray - open to visitors since 1142.
La Carriere des Fusilles - This area of France was very active in the Resistance and the Liberation of France during World War Two. This is commemorated in the statue dedicated to 27 local hostages who were murdered in a quarry by Nazis on 22nd October 1941.
Le Musee de la Resistance - Permanent exhibition dedicated to the memory of the Chateaubriant hostages.
Places to go - The Scenery of the Western Loire, France
"Breaking through morning mist, in a light without parallel, Chateaubriant and its District offers to the visitors panoramas of lakes and forests.
Blessed with the largest heathland in Loire-Atlantique, the Land of Blue Stone leads you through its valleys along pleasant rambling paths"
(Chateaubriant Tourist Office)
The Chere Valley
Leaving Soudan, the Chere hugs Chateaubriant castle ramparts, bathes the bottom of the Tertre below the charming town of St Aubin des Chateaux, rests in the Hunaudiere Lake, site of the old forges, livens up the Pont mill, still working, crosses the town of Mouais, the smallest commune in Loire-Atlantique, and continues on to Grand-Fougeray.
The Don Valley
From St Julien de Vouvantes to Nozay, going through Moisdon and Jans, the Don valley offers rich and varied panoramas and pleasant scenery.
The Semnon Valley
Between Loire-Atlantique and Ille-et-Vilaine, the Semnon meanders freely from Ferce to Soulvache, as far as the superb small bridge at the foot of St Fiace Chapel.
Places to go - The Lakes
Le Lac de Vioreau - The man made beach at the beautiful Lake of Voireau, only 20 minutes drive from the farm.
L'Etang de Clegreuc - This superb lake on the edge of the Gavre forest is a bird sanctuary of exceptional quality.
L Domaine de la Roche - In the hollow of a wooded 22 hectare domaine, an exceptional site.
Things to do around Western Loire, France
Mountain biking, swimming, sailing, fishing, walking, para-gliding, karting, wind surfing, bike tours,
riding,The local tourist office in Chateaubriant has a brochure "50 ideas for a summer" packed full of info on fetes, markets, sports, music, concerts, arts etc. Activities are numerous and varied: 18 hole swin-golf, croquet, archery, waterskiing, karting, paint-ball, para-gliding, flying etc. The many surrounding lakes are perfect for swimming, sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing and boating.
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Ideal places to discover nature, on foot, horseback or bicycle.
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41 trails to ramble, to trek or to cycle.
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Plenty of opportunities for fishing in the beautiful lakes and rivers.
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4 Horse riding centres nearby.
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Open air swimming pool at Nozay.
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Swin golf at Rouge.
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Mini Golf at Chateaubriant.
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9 Restaurants in Chateaubriant.
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12 more restaurants within a 30 minute drive of town.
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Wonderful beaches on the Atlantic coast within an hour's drive.
Places to go - Entertainment
Theatre - The spectacular glass theatre in Chateaubriant
Ten Pin Bowling - A new Bowling Alley has just opened next door to Chateaubriant Town Hall. It's only 6 lanes, but you can book in advance. Prices start at 2.50€ an hour. There's also a pool table and the usual bar.
Go Karting - just two minutes from the farm.
Horse Racing - Built in 1980 l’Hippodrome de Chateaubriant is famous for Horse Trotting. Participants come from all across France to enter.
Food - People who enjoy good food must try the Chateaubriant steak and the galettes made with dark flour, and the locally produced cider.
Throughout the year there is varied entertainment, including cultural and sporting events. La Foire de Bere still takes place during September as it has every year since 1050.
The towns of Rennes, Angers, Laval, Nantes and St Nazaire are within an hour's drive from the Farm. As are the beaches at La Baule and St Brevin.
Much of the text above is courtesy of the Chateaubriant Tourist Office who have translated their own publicity from French to English. The grammar may not be perfect but I prefer to enjoy their description of the area.
Chateaubriant, the Western Loire, France
The Area around
Chateaubriant. Places to go and things to see - Gites at Hirondelle Farm
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