The green Loire, between vineyards and heritage
Between the royal river and the Erdre, the Ancenis region discreetly unfurls its charms. On the slopes overlooking the Loire, the vines stretch out peacefully, cherishing the sun to produce nectars with evocative names: Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, Malvoisie... In this little corner of Loire paradise, take the time to slow down, admire the discreet manor houses and contemplate the migratory birds. You don't have to go far to catch a glimpse of other horizons. Here, water and vine intertwine to weave lasting memories.
You'll love
- Climb to the top of the Oudon dungeon for a bird's eye view of the valley
- Create your own cuvée in the workshop of a passionate winemaker
- Gliding along the river in a capan toue
- Watch the ballet of migratory birds at the Marais de Grée
Day 1 : from Oudon to Ancenis, in the footsteps of the bargemen
Morning: Château d'Oudon, sentinel of the Loire River
Start your Loire adventure in Oudon, in this charming village that looks as if it had been put there by an Impressionist painter. As soon as you arrive, an octagonal silhouette catches your eye. The medieval Château d'Oudon stands proudly on its promontory, watching over the river like an immutable guardian.
Cross the drawbridge and enter the courtyard. Here, the stones tell tales of knights and forgotten battles. The 30-metre ascent to the dungeon is well worth the effort: from the top, a breathtaking panorama of the Loire Valley and surrounding area awaits you. The curves of the river stretch to the horizon, while the villages seem like models laid out on a green and blue carpet.
Take your time to explore the exhibits recounting the fortress's tumultuous history. Children will enjoy dressing up in period costumes and imagining themselves as lords of the manor. Within these thick walls, history is not frozen, but lived.
Afternoon: the art of winemaking in Ancenis
In the afternoon, head to Ancenis for an oenological break at the Landron Chartier boutique. The Landron family, passionate winemakers, welcome you to this warm and inviting venue in the heart of the town, where you can discover their wines all year round.
Opt for the "Create your own wine" workshop and don your oenologist's suit for a session. You'll be given five estate wines with different characteristics (acid, round, tannic, woody...). Your mission: blend these wines to create the one that suits you best. At the end of the experience, you'll bottle your creation and leave with your very own personalized bottle. A unique experience that reveals all the secrets of the art of winemaking.
To round off your first day in style, treat yourself to a moment of relaxation at the Latitude Spa in Ancenis. This wellness concept offers several private areas, each with its own jacuzzi, sauna or hammam. Let tensions evaporate in the enveloping warmth of a themed area, such as the Finnish-inspired Högvadsån or the Polynesian-inspired Ta'aroa.
For the night, there are two options: the warm comfort of the Prieuré des Gourmands in Vallons de l'Erdre, a superb stone building with character located near the river Erdre, or the elegance of the chambres d'hôtes at Château de Haute Roche, perched high above Oudon.
Day 2 : between wild marsh and royal river
Morning: the ballet of birds at Grée marsh
On the second day, wake up to the first rays of sunshine and set off to discover the Grée marshes. This vast wetland of 450 hectares of meadows is criss-crossed by canals that join together to flow into the Loire. First stop: the Maison du Marais de Grée, a small stone house housing a permanent exhibition on the history, flora and fauna of this exceptional site.
Continue your exploration along the path to theornithological observatory. From here, you can watch the ballet of birds such as herring gulls, white spoonbills and ox herons. In the silence of this wooden hideaway, only the distant cries of birds disturb the tranquility of the place.
Following the footpath, a wooden bridge juts out over the marsh, opening up your senses to the surrounding nature. In summer, large dry meadows dotted with canals give way to wide expanses of water in winter. Every season, the marsh reinvents itself, offering an ever-changing spectacle.
Afternoon: on the water in a "toue cabanée
After this immersion in the wilderness, head for the banks of the Loire for an authentic nautical experience. From the village of Le Cellier, Détours en Loire offers boat trips on the Loire between Nantes and Ancenis, on traditional boats known as toues cabanées.
Come aboard the Saint-Nicolas or Bonaventura, flat-bottomed boats inspired by the fishermen's boats of yesteryear. Glide gently over the waters of the Loire, lulled by the lapping of the water against the wooden hull. Your guide will tell you all about the history of the river, its capricious floods, its sailors and its discreet fauna. During the cruise, you'll be transported back to another century, when the Loire was still the region's main commercial artery.
Day 3 : escape between vineyards and lake
Morning: wine tasting at Domaine des Génaudières
For your final day, set course for the Génaudières wine estate in Le Cellier. This family estate, run by the same family since 1635, welcomes you to a site with spectacular views over the Loire.
Brigitte, Pierre-Yves and Anne Athimon create Loire wines, letting the terroir express itself. The stone gives the wine its minerality, the Loire a freshness that intensifies the fruit, and the wind that sweeps the rock eradicates fungus and other diseases.
During your visit, let yourself be guided through the cellars before tasting the estate's specialties: Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire, Gros Plant sur Lie and others. Don't hesitate to try the famous Malvoisie Coteaux d'Ancenis, the confidential wine for which Ancenis is famous. Children are not forgotten: a grape juice tasting session will be offered.
Afternoon: a tour of Lac de Vioreau
End your stay with a stroll around Lac de Vioreau, the largest navigable inland lake in Loire-Atlantique. This 11-kilometre tour (allow 2h45) takes you through wooded landscapes and quiet shores.
To the north, the nautical base lies dormant in the off-season, waiting for summer. At the ornithological observatory, keep your ears open for ducks, teal and herons, who may be waiting for you for one last show before you return...