A weekend in the vineyards

To the south of the Loire-Atlantique region you have a date with the rich territory of the vignoble nantais, known as Muscadet. The production of this wine is one of the department's unmissable terroirs, but the area in which it is located is also rich in other activities and places of interest for a day out in the countryside and nature. We offer you a full two-day programme, the time of a weekend at the heart of this wine tourism sector (but not only) at the gates of Nantes. 

Visit Clisson, the most Italian of Loire-Atlantique towns

To get the most out of your day in the Nantes vineyards, we suggest you stop off in Clisson. This town in the south of the Loire-Atlantique offers a single ticket to Tuscany! The town's highly original architecture is the result of its reconstruction after the Vendée wars, which were sparked off by the French Revolution. Clisson was at the heart of the battles and was completely destroyed. It was thanks to Pierre and Franck Cacault, two Nantes brothers who had returned from Italy, that the town was reborn at the beginning of the 19th century. Marked by Italian architecture and culture, they set about rebuilding the town, drawing inspiration from the typical features of Tuscan dwellings. Grâce à them, Clisson marks its visitors with its superb. 

You won't be able to resist the charm of its narrow streets, around Notre Dame church, near the medieval castle, and right up to the banks of the River Nantaise. Don't miss the covered market, a central feature of the city. , but during your weekend in Clisson you can sit down at a bistro table and enjoy the freshness under this imposing wooden structure. Adjacent to the covered market, the tourist office will provide you with documentation and a map of the town.

Crossing the Sèvre Nantaise you will reach the Trinité district and the Garenne Lemot estate. A friend of the Cacault brothers, the sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot fell under the spell of Clisson and its valley. He bought the garenne du château (the former hunting ground of the Lords of Clisson), laid out a large park and built a splendid Roman villa from which you can admire the centre of Clisson. A very pleasant place to stroll around in a romantic atmosphere. Don't miss out on a visit to la Villa Lemot which is a showroom where classical and modern art meet.

At lunch or dinner time, sit down to a meal with a view of the Sèvre at the Auberge du Château or the Vallée restaurant, two restaurants facing each other on either side of the médiéval bridge linking the two parts of the town. 

If the Tuscan charm works its magic on you, you might just be tempted to stay for the weekend Clisson!

@ALamoureux

For your Clisson holidays, see among our holiday rentals: gîte or chambre d'hôtes, you're bound to find what you need!

Walks and tastings in the vineyards around Nantes

The Nantes vineyards are obviously named after the rich wine-growing terroir that makes them up, and every village is steeped in it. You'll be able to book a pre-wine day in Nantes focused on wine tourism. Take a stroll through the vineyards and stop off at the estates to learn about the work of the winemakers. They will be delighted to open their doors to you and pass on their passion for the terroir. 

The area is gently undulating, offering pretty landscapes to learn about as you drive along. Rows of vines and hamlets alternate gently, revealing beautiful colours depending on the time of day and the light.

So you can't visit this vineyard without stopping off at a winegrower's. More than 450 winegrowers are part of the Muscadet vineyard, which extends over 17,000 hectares, offering a wide variety of wines despite the fact that Muscadet (melon de Bourgogne) is unique and that there are only a small number of appellations: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu, Muscadet Coteaux de Loire, les Crus du Muscadet, Gros Plant, Coteaux d’Ancenis Malvoisie and Gamay. But each area has its own specific characteristics, and each winemaker has his or her own method of growing the grapes and making the wine. Different ingrédients that produce wines that are not very similar. A visit to an estate is therefore a rich experience not to be missed.

The vineyard is also covered at the Musée du Vignoble located in Le Pallet. A place of médiation where a multitude of objects present the history and evolution of the vineyard. You can visit on your own or with a guide. Partner of the Passeport Vacances, the Musée du Vignoble will give you the benefit of the reduced rate;duit as well as a free tasting if you êtes lodged in one of our gîtes or chambres dôtes for your stay in the vineyard.

Getting to grips with this part of wine tourism, during your day in the Nantes vineyards you'll discover rich, full-bodied wines, associated with great stories, which you'll be delighted to share with others on your return home. 

For an even more immersive experience, you can also stay at a winegrower's during your wine holiday: discover our vineyard accommodation and our proprietary farmers and winegrowers!! 

@ALamoureux; @JJehanin

Découvrir les bords de Sèvre et de Maine, un hâvre de nature

To continue your weekend in the vineyards, set off to learn about the landscapes of the Nantaise Sèvre and Maine river valleys. Their quiet, tree-lined banks offer stretches of greenery and tranquillity. 

You can opt for a hike along the paths of the GR Sèvre et Maine. For walkers, there are signposted routes for all abilities. From La Haye-Fouassière to Gétign; along the Nantes Sèvre, and between Château-Teacute;baud and Remouillacute; at the gateway to neighbouring Vendée. Among the various sectors of these hikes, we recommend the pretty views offered by the port of La Haye-Fouassi and the Liveau paper mill in Gorges.

These rivers can also be learnt from the water with canoe and paddle rentals available at various sites (Pont Caffino; Monnières, Le Moulin de Plessard; Clisson, Terbin site; Gétigné). Another way to learn about this natural environment and recharge your batteries during a walk.

The Marais de Goulaine, an amazing wetland

We suggest you end your day in an unexpected part of the vineyard: the Marais de Goulaine. This natural wetland in the heart of the Nantes vineyards offers unique landscapes that change with the seasons. It is also home to a rich flora and fauna ecosystem with some rare species.

Let's get started at the Château de Goulaine. Listed among the Châteaux of the Loire, it is one of the most prestigious preserved sites in Loire-Atlantique and has been the residence of the same family for over 1000 years! On the ruins of an ancient medieval castle, you can now visit the Renaissance castle built in the 15th century. The site is private but open to the public during the summer (admission €10.50). To be enjoyed as a self-guided or guided tour on booking.

Leaving the castle then reach the Pont de l’Ouen, the only access point to the marsh all year round. The Maison Bleue, a reception and information centre, offers boat trips to explore the life and secrets of the marsh in more detail, while respecting the surrounding nature. A unique trip to immerse yourself in this unexpected nature. 6€ per person. 

You can then walk up to the Butte de la Roche, a must-see spot here. This elevated point offers a 360-degree panorama of the marsh and its surroundings. You can admire the view over the vineyards that surround it and the market gardens that run down to the Loire. You can also see the tall towers of Nantes. The city is 20km away, but a thousand miles away in your mind!

@ALamoureux;

A weekend in the vineyards of Nantes is a sure-fire way to get away from it all. Between visits, walks, discoveries of local produce and heritage, you'll never be bored and will discover rich and sometimes unsuspected places in this part of Loire-Atlantique.