Go on the cycle paths of the banks of the Loire to count the islands, get lost in the marshes of the estuary where the waves merge into the Atlantic, admire the expanse of Lake Grand-Lieu and observe egrets, herons , coots and more than 270 species of birds ... The Nantes region, a wetland crossed by the tributaries of the Loire and by the Muscadet vines, is full of places to go green and recharge your batteries.
Here are our ideas for activities less than an hour from Nantes to take refuge in the countryside as soon as the confinement is over.
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Bird watching at Grand-Lieu lake
The marshes bordering Lake Grand-Lieu are flooded in winter.
jeremyjehanin
In winter, the Grand-Lieu lake doubles its surface to reach 6,000 hectares and becomes the largest natural lowland lake in France.
The flooded plains then become the territory of more than 270 species of birds, which make the place the second ornithological reserve in France.
At the Maison du Lac in Grand-Lieu, a museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the lake, the former hunting lodge of perfumer Jean-Pierre Guerlain offers a unique panorama of the expanse of water.
In Saint Lumine de Coutais, the bell tower of the Saint Léobin church offers a window on the lake 40 meters high.
Don't forget your binoculars!
All the points of view to spy on the birds without disturbing them on the site of the lake of Grand-Lieu.
Grand-Lieu lake house, rue du Lac, 44830 Bouaye.
Phone.
: 02 28 25 19 07. Admission: € 9.
Cycle through the Muscadet vineyards
The Nantes vineyard is crossed by several marked routes for cyclists.
Artlux - stock.adobe.com
More than 100 kilometers of signposted circuits wind through the vineyards south of Nantes.
Loops of 9 to 32 kilometers on roads little frequented by cars, to cover without forgetting to stop regularly to discover the wine estates, castles, churches, chapels which dot the vineyards.
For example, a route from Nantes takes cyclists to the Pallet along the Sèvre, to discover the wine-growing villages of Pé de Sèvre or Port Domino.
Another follows the banks of the Loire towards Angers.
All the circuits, routes and maps are listed on the Nantes vineyard website.
And if cycling is not your thing, several organizations allow you to explore the vineyard in motorized vehicles.
By minivan with Nantes Wine tour and NAOW or by 2 CV with Royale dedeuche.
From 65 € for the half-day in a minivan.
2 CV rental: 80 € per day.
Family treasure hunt along the Loire estuary
Several treasure hunts are to be discovered on the hiking trails on the south shore of the Loire estuary.
Estuary land
It is a territory where the Loire widens to embrace the horizon.
All around, green plains, lakes and marshes form an ideal playground for hikers.
The Terre Estuaire center in Cordemais offers treasure hunts for exploring the south shore of the estuary.
Three itineraries appeal to the sense of observation, memory and knowledge of hikers.
A first route goes up the course of the Loire to discover the fisheries of Corsept.
Another guides adventurers on the land side, from the Nez de Chien beach in Saint-Brevin, where the
Serpent d'Océan
sculpture bathes
, to Saint-Viaud.
A third route plunges walkers into the tranquility of the marshes, from Paimboeuf to Saint-Viaud.
Center Terre estuaire, port of Cordemais, 44360 Cordemais.
Phone.
: 02 85 67 04 80. Price: 8 €.
Read also: Extraordinary trip to the Loire estuary
Artistic walk in the domain of Garenne Lemot
Works are scattered throughout the park of the Domaine de la Garenne Lemot.
H. Neveu Dérotrie / Great Heritage of Loire-Atlantique
The French neoclassical sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot built this Italian-inspired villa in the 19th century facing Clisson.
It is inspired by the landscaped gardens of the 18th century to adorn the 13-hectare park surrounded by the Sèvre Nantaise and the Moine.
Statues, grotto, tomb, temple and column punctuate the wooded alleys.
Unusual installations were also disseminated in the framework of an exhibition of the Voyage à Nantes.
Composed with natural elements, Cornelia Konrad's works are hidden in the landscape of the estate, such as this bench suspended in the trees or these statues of Hippomène and Atalanta throwing each other from jars.
Domaine de la Garenne Lemot, avenue Xavier Rineau, 44190 Gétigné.
Phone.
: 02 40 54 75 85. Free entry every day from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm until December.
Breakfast on the Erdre
Breakfast on the Erdre after a night on the Carpe Diem Barge.
Carpe Diem barge
You have to know how to appreciate moments of floating.
Especially when they take place on a barge moored on the banks of the Erdre.
The "Carpe Diem" barge welcomes freshwater sailors in its five pretty rooms located on the lower deck.
We enjoy watching the swans drifting on the river through the windows flush with the water.
The opportunity to spend a cocooning evening in the living room, installed in an armchair between the stove and the bay windows, after a drink on the terrace on the upper deck and a boat or paddle trip.
What a pleasure to have breakfast on the terrace in the morning and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Erdre.
Carpe Diem barge, 65 rue du Port Durand, 44300 Nantes.
Phone.
: 07 66 51 35 21. From 90 € per night, breakfast included.