Loire-Atlantique: Coast, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Coast, lake and nature

More than 130 kilometres of coastline and 6,200 hectares of natural areas give Loire-Atlantique a varied landscape. When choosing your destination, you can decide whether the coast or natural areas should be the focus of your stay. One special natural area is Lac de Grand-Lieu: in winter, it is considered France’s largest natural lowland lake. This adds a seasonal perspective on the landscape alongside the coast.

The visitor experience of the lake can also be described more specifically: a discovery tour at the Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu includes an exhibition about the lake and its wetlands. At the end of the visit, the route leads to the pavilion terrace, which offers views over the lake and the birds in the nature reserve. Thus, interpretation of the landscape and the view are two distinct parts of the same visit.

There are clear rules for activities on Lac de Grand-Lieu: swimming and water sports are prohibited. Fishing is reserved for seven professional fishers. If you include the lake in your travel plans, bear these restrictions in mind when choosing your activities.

Cycle routes, walks and waterways

Loire-Atlantique offers 2,000 kilometres of cycle routes for cycling trips. One specifically named route is La Régalante: it connects Châteaubriant and Nantes, has little elevation gain, is considered accessible and presents few difficulties. La Vélidéale offers a different perspective on the landscape, passing through sensitive areas, nature reserves, rivers and marshes in Loire-Atlantique. When comparing routes, you can therefore consider both the route profile and the landscapes it passes through.

For walking, the GR® de Pays Tour du lac de Grand-Lieu is a clearly defined option: the circular trail is 73 kilometres long. Check route information before setting out, as details may change. Loire-Atlantique’s navigable waterways also include the Canal de Nantes à Brest, the Erdre and the Sèvre nantaise. These waterways add a distinct facet to the landscape alongside the cycle and walking routes.

Brière, cultural heritage and wine

Kerhinet combines a pedestrian village with practical opportunities to explore the landscape and walking trails: it has two interpretation trails, and the hamlet serves as a starting point for walks. Its 18 thatched cottages were acquired with the aim of showcasing Brière’s traditional way of life. Kerhinet therefore focuses on traditional architecture and living, not just on walking the trails.

Other cultural connections add to this picture. The musée Dobrée is part of the Grand Patrimoine network. Château de Clisson has been classified as a historic monument since 1924. The three places offer different points of interest: Kerhinet for traditional ways of living, the musée Dobrée for the Grand Patrimoine network, and Château de Clisson as a historic monument.

Wine may also be of interest when travelling in Loire-Atlantique: Muscadet includes ten municipal crus. This regional classification gives wine enthusiasts a specific point of interest, distinct from the themes of landscape and cultural heritage. Whether you want to focus your trip more on nature, trails, architecture or wine, Loire-Atlantique offers several clearly distinct themes to help you plan your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Plessé, Saint-Viaud, Gétigné, Aigrefeuille-Sur-Maine, Sainte-Anne-Sur-Brivet, Massérac, Soulvache, Saint-Aubin-Des-Châteaux, Chéméré, Prinquiau, Avessac, Paimbœuf, Haute-Goulaine, Basse-Goulaine, Boussay, Treffieux, Saint-Lumine-De-Clisson, La Haie-Fouassière, Pornichet, Préfailles, Mouzeil, Casson, Grandchamps-Des-Fontaines, Le Loroux-Bottereau, Asserac, Batz-Sur-Mer, Châteaubriant, Chauve, Corsept, Fresnay-En-Retz, Guémené-Penfao, Guérande, La Madelaine, La Plaine-Sur-Mer, La Turballe, Le Croisic, Le Pouliguen, Les Moutiers-En-Retz, Nantes, Saint-André-Des-Eaux, Saint-Brevin-Les-Pins, Saint-Lyphard, Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, Sainte-Pazanne, Sainte-Reine-De-Bretagne, Vue, La Chapelle Sur Erdre, La Baule-Escoublac, Guenrouet, Le Bignon, Saint-Joachim, Vigneux-De-Bretagne, Trignac, Saint-Sébastien-Sur-Loire, Saint-Herblain, Sainte-Luce-Sur-Loire, Rezé, Orvault, Missillac, La Cotinière, Héric, Carquefou, Bouguenais, Bouaye, Ancenis, Saint-Vincent-Des-Landes, Gorges, Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Colomban, Treillières, Port-Saint-Père, Mesquer, La Chapelle-Saint-Sauveur, Legé, Blain, Saint-Nicolas-De-Redon, Riaillé, La Chapelle-Basse-Mer, Derval, Les Sorinières, Arthon-En-Retz, Cordemais, Donges, Herbignac, Malville, Anetz, Varades, Abbaretz, Conquereuil, Mouzillon, Notre-Dame-Des-Landes, Nozay, Vallet, La Chevrolière, Frossay, La Chapelle-Des-Marais, Pont-Saint-Martin, Rouans, Saint-Mars-De-Coutais, Saint-Molf, Vertou, Touvois, La Rouxière, Mésanger, Sucé-Sur-Erdre, Fercé, Le Gâvre, Saffré, Vay, Thouaré-Sur-Loire, Couffé, Petit-Auverné, Bourgneuf-En-Retz, Brains, Campbon, Cheix-En-Retz, Couëron, Crossac, La Bernerie-En-Retz, La Chapelle-Launay, Machecoul, Paulx, Saint-Aignan-Grandlieu, Saint-Étienne-De-Mer-Morte, Saint-Hilaire-De-Chaléons, Saint-Père-En-Retz, Saint-Philbert-De-Grand-Lieu, Pornic, Vieillevigne, Corcoué-Sur-Logne, Geneston, Grand-Auverné, Issé, Joué-Sur-Erdre, La Chevallerais, La Meilleraye-De-Bretagne, Le Landreau, Marsac-Sur-Don, Moisdon-La-Rivière, Nort-Sur-Erdre, Savenay, Pontchâteau, Sautron, Fégréac, Barbechat, Quilly, Saint-Mars-La-Jaille, Piriac-Sur-Mer, Clisson, La Chapelle-Glain, Rougé, Saint-Herblon, Remouillé, Saint-Mars-Du-Désert, Erbray, Maisdon-Sur-Sèvre, La Grigonnais, Petit-Mars, Oudon, Mouais, Bouvron, Ruffigné, Fay-de-Bretagne, Besné, Louisfert, Indre, Saint-Fiacre-Sur-Maine, Saint-Gildas-Des-Bois, Ligné, Pannecé, La Limouzinière, Le Pallet, Saint-Julien-De-Concelles, Saint-Léger-Les-Vignes, Teillé, Bonnoeuvre, Château-Thébaud, Montbert, Montoir-de-Bretagne, Belligné, Le Cellier, Monnières, Les Touches, Quimiac, Soudan, Sion-Les-Mines.

For the regional travel overview: Pays De La Loire.