Drain - Entre Loire et Vignoble

In Drain, the municipality of Orée d'Anjou, the "Entre Loire et Vignoble" hiking trail offers a loop of around 18 kilometres. The route takes in the transition between the river's major bed and the first hills of the Armorican massif.

River dynamics and boires:
The route crosses the Loire valley, marked by the presence of "boires". These former arms of the river, which are now disconnected from the main riverbed during low-water periods, fill up during seasonal floods. This hydraulic system creates essential wetlands. They serve as spawning grounds for fish and nesting areas for birdlife. Here, walkers will find vegetation of willow and poplar, where the dampness of the soil encourages a specific biodiversity.

The hillside vineyards:
As you move away from the banks, the path rises towards the plateaux. The landscape changes, giving way to vines planted on schist and gneiss soils. This terroir is the birthplace of Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire and Coteaux d'Ancenis. From these heights, there are views of the Loire and, on the opposite bank, the silhouette of the Château d'Oudon.

Local heritage and architecture:
The route is dotted with historic features, such as the "Pont Romain", an ancient structure used to cross flood plains. The hamlets along the route feature traditional architecture in which local stone and tufa stone stand side by side. This tour, recommended by the Ôsez Mauges tourist office, is an opportunity to understand the balance between wine-growing and the preservation of the aquatic environments of the Loire.