ROUTES DES VINS - VIGNOBLE ET PATRIMOINE DU HAUT-LAYON

On the Routes des Vins, this 66km wine tour takes you on a journey through the Haut-Layon vineyards. Cellars, châteaux, troglodyte sites, manor houses, small villages... This loop will introduce you to the cultural heritage and vineyards of the Haut-Layon!

From Doué-la-Fontaine, the starting point of the tour, Terre de Rose distillery is your first stop. As well as the rose water distillation area, this farm has a rose garden with different rose fragrances, a vegetable garden with aromatic plants from yesteryear and troglodyte cellars typical of the region. Children can even meet the farm animals. To see animals from the zoo, head to the Bioparc. You can see tigers, zebras and rhinos! And why not reach out and feed a giraffe? A great family souvenir on the Wine Routes!

As you continue along the loop, towards Aubigné-sur-Layon, a number of wineries will open their doors to you for a glass of Coteaux du Layon or Anjou rosé.
Along the way, don't hesitate to stop and admire the delightful private châteaux set amidst the vines. Once you arrive in the small village of Tigné, you'll enjoy a charming stroll around the Château du Grand Riou, a medieval fortress that is now privately owned. Once in Aubigné-sur-Layon, stroll through the charming village streets before resuming your tour.

Another castle is on your route to La Fosse-de-Tigné: the Château de la Petite Ville, surrounded by a moat. Before returning to Doué-la-Fontaine, take in the beautiful vineyards and cultural heritage one last time by stopping off at the Manoir and Château de Vaillé Rochereau in Nueil-sur-Layon, magnificent private properties each lining one side of the road, where it's easy to imagine yourself living the life of a squire!