On the Routes des Vins, this 121km wine-tourism circuit by car will make you dream. Don't forget your camera to capture the Loire panoramas, each as beautiful as the next!
Take a tour of the wineries and discover the region's AOC wines: from the essential Muscadet to the confidential Malvoisie, there's something for every palate! What's more, some of them offer breathtaking views of the royal river.
From Nantes, follow the banks of the Loire via the Levée de la Divatte to Champtoceaux for a guided cruise on the river. And for a more sporty escapade, you can hire a kayak on site. At lunchtime, take a seat at one of the picnic areas in the Jardins du Champalud, for lunch with a magnificent view over the Loire. Children can have fun on the playground.
Climb to the top of Drain to discover the panoramic view from Les Galloires, with its 180-degree panorama of the hillside vineyards and the Loire Valley.
A few kilometres away, visit the remarkable abbey church of Saint Florent-le-Vieil and enjoy another uninterrupted view of the Loire. A little further on, a fun-filled visit awaits your children at the Epinay flour mill!
On the other side of the river, the fishing village of La Meilleraie invites you to take a stroll and enjoy the passing of time. Then on to Ancenis, where you can wander along the banks of the Loire, on foot or by bike, before venturing out to discover the medieval castle of Oudon and the picturesque streets of its town centre.
The route continues at Le Cellier, where you can enjoy one of the finest views of the Loire, amidst the hillside vineyards, thanks to the Panorama de Saint-Méen. And did you know that Le Cellier was once the town of choice for Louis de Funès? He lived in the Château de Clermont, visible from the road but now privately owned, from 1963 to 1987. He wished to be buried in the town's cemetery.
The loop ends at Mauves-sur-Loire, where every summer the Mauves Balnéaire event takes over the banks of the Loire, offering takeaway food during the week and concerts at weekends.
