Discover Cheix-En-Retz: Marshes, fishing and history

Cheix-En-Retz offers a variety of ways to enjoy a stay: the marshes and banks of the Acheneau, fishing opportunities, and buildings and traces of the town’s history. When looking for a hotel for your trip, you can first consider whether you want to focus on nature, fishing or historic architecture.

Marshes, wildlife and fishing on the Acheneau

On the Balade en Toue, you can explore the Acheneau marshes with local residents who know the area well. They explain its history, landscape, hydrology, fauna, agriculture and fishing. The topics covered may vary depending on the departure point and provider.

The Circuit de la Pierre Tremblante runs alongside the Acheneau marshes and banks. There you can observe a wide variety of animal species, although sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. La Pierre Tremblante, a large gneiss slab that may be a remnant of a megalith, is also located on the banks of the Acheneau. It can be visited freely, individually or in groups; access conditions may vary on site.

The La Pierre Tremblante fishing area is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Accessibility should be confirmed locally before travelling. The La Pierre Tremblante fishing route along the Acheneau is directly accessible by vehicle. Weather, maintenance or temporary restrictions may affect access, so check local conditions before your visit. The fishing route includes an area for night carp fishing. Before fishing, check the applicable fishing regulations and whether permits are required.

Buildings and traces of history

The Château de Bois-Corbeau is privately owned and not open to the public. The Circuit de la Pierre Tremblante hiking trail passes near the château. Please respect the boundary of the private property. The château’s chapel dates from the 12th century and is an important Romanesque building erected by monks from Sainte-Marie-de-Pornic Abbey. The oldest part of the château dates from the 14th century.

The Église Saint-Martin was rebuilt in 1856 in the Neo-Romanesque style, to plans by architect Joseph-Fleury Chenantais, after the medieval church was destroyed during the Revolution. The granite holy water stoup inside the church dates from the 12th century and is one of the few surviving elements from that period. The 1856 choir window depicts three episodes from the life of Saint Martin: his charity, the founding of the Ligugé monastery and his episcopate in Tours. The stoup and choir window illustrate two periods in the church’s history: a rare surviving element from the 12th century and a depiction from the time of its construction in 1856.

Nearly 800 Roman coins were discovered in 1838 at the Pont du Pilon in Cheix-En-Retz. They date approximately from 27 BC to AD 238. The village of Le Pilon is a very old crossing point used by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Discover more destinations: Fay-de-Bretagne, Treffieux, La Grigonnais, Saint-Lyphard, Saint-Brevin-Les-Pins, Prinquiau, La Chapelle Sur Erdre, Vertou.

For the broader travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.