Discover Campbon: Mills, trails and chapels

Campbon offers several specific points of interest for planning a trip: the four-storey Moulin de la Bicane tower mill, an easy circular cycling route, and walking trails of varying durations. Historic chapels and wrought-iron crosses offer other points of interest. The stated duration of the walking routes ranges from one hour to four and a half hours; their lengths and difficulty levels also vary.

Moulin de la Bicane

Moulin de la Bicane is a four-storey tower mill dating from 1840 and the only mill in the commune of Campbon still in operation. Visits are possible by prior reservation. During a visit, you can see the machinery and, when the wind is suitable, watch buckwheat being milled. The mill also offers wheat and buckwheat flour made from locally grown organic grain. Reservation and visit arrangements, as well as details of the flour on offer, may change; if interested, check these details in advance.

Cycling and hiking trails

VÉLO DÉTOURS – LA BOUCLE DE ZÉPHYR is an easy, 12-kilometre circular cycling route that starts in Campbon. It passes the Campbon wind farm, the ULM airfield and Moulin de la Bicane. The route also runs alongside a pond and flowering fields.

The two walking trails differ considerably in length, duration and difficulty. Le sentier du Moulin is an easy 3.7-kilometre trail with 22 metres of elevation gain and a stated duration of one hour. It starts at Domaine de la Ducherais in Campbon and is marked in yellow. Le sentier des Calvaires is of moderate difficulty, 17.8 kilometres long and listed as taking four and a half hours. In other words, there is a contrast between an easy one-hour walk and a longer tour of moderate difficulty. The Calvaires trail follows the Allée verte, a former railway line, and crosses elaborately designed old bridges, beneath which streams and surface runoff flow. Numerous crosses and calvaries stand along the route, erected by communities and wealthy families to guide travellers and protect them from unpleasant encounters. Check the local access information for each route before setting out.

Chapels and wrought-iron crosses

The site of Chapelle Sainte Barbe has been inhabited since Gallo-Roman times; the origins of the chapel itself are unknown. It was burned down during the Revolution and last restored in 1830. Chapelle Saint-Michel de la frairie du Mons in Campbon was built in the early 16th century. It replaced an older chapel mentioned in a record from 1497.

Campbon has 24 handcrafted wrought-iron crosses, considered remarkable examples of folk art. Access may be restricted at some locations.

Horse riding

Poney-Club de la Ducherais offers equestrian disciplines ranging from recreational riding to competition. Available disciplines may change; if you have specific plans, ask about the current offerings in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Fiacre-Sur-Maine, La Chapelle Sur Erdre, Châteaubriant, Vallet, Le Landreau, Piriac-Sur-Mer, Brains, Saint-Nicolas-De-Redon

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