Louisfert: Cadou, Calvary and Cultural History

Louisfert is a destination with a clear cultural focus: René Guy Cadou, the Calvary and historical landmarks in the church and château offer different perspectives on literature, religion and architectural history. This picture of the town is complemented by two routes with distinct characters: the poetry-inspired Sentier René-Guy Cadou and the La Régalante cycle route. When choosing Louisfert for a stay, you can weigh up literary, religious-history and route-related interests.

Calvary of Louisfert and church

The Calvary of Louisfert lies close to the town centre and is a religious, civic and cultural-historical monument. It was built between 1871 and 1892 under the direction of Abbé Jacques Cotteux. The site stands on a “sacred hill” formed from most of the region’s menhirs and dolmens; it includes numerous statues and a Stations of the Cross.

Louisfert church also preserves artistic and local-history landmarks. Its cast-iron bell dates from the 17th century and was formerly used to receive donations of grain. It has been classified as an artwork since 22 October 1909. Another work is the painting of Saint Michael defeating the dragon: it is a copy of the painting by Raphael, which is on display in the Louvre. The bell thus brings together a former everyday function and a later classification; the painting adds an art-historical subject to the collection of landmarks.

René Guy Cadou and his places

The Demeure Hélène et René Guy Cadou is located in the poet’s former home, next to the school where he taught. The museum is open to the public; check the visiting arrangements in advance. The former classroom where René Guy Cadou taught is an exhibition space and can also be visited. Photographs, manuscripts and personal belongings there recall the late poet, his everyday life, his history and his literary work. In this way, his biography and writing sit alongside the memory of the teaching he did in Louisfert.

Literary trail and cycle route

The Sentier René-Guy Cadou is a poetry-inspired trail through the “blue landscape” that leads to the centre of Louisfert. It passes through Louisfert, Saint-Vincent-des-Landes and Issé. The La Régalante cycle route also passes through Louisfert. Its 58-kilometre section from Soulvache to La Meilleraye-de-Bretagne passes through Rougé, Châteaubriant, Louisfert, Saint-Vincent-des-Landes, Issé and Moisdon-la-Rivière. Before planning, check the current route of La Régalante, as route information may be updated. The routes differ above all in their character and layout: one is a poetry-framed trail leading to the town centre, the other a cycle route with a named 58-kilometre section.

Château du Val de Caratel

The Château du Val de Caratel represents an earlier architectural period than the Calvary: it was built between 1648 and 1653, while the Calvary dates from 1871 to 1892. The château grounds include numerous ponds, gardens and woodland. Alongside the building period, the different landscape features of the grounds thus stand out as an aspect in their own right.

Discover more destinations: Le Cellier, Saint-Gildas-des-Bois, Casson, Pontchâteau, Mesquer, La Chapelle-Launay, Batz-Sur-Mer, Asserac

For the overview of the wider region: Loire-Atlantique.