Discover Oudon: Château, Loire and sculpture trail

Oudon brings together medieval buildings, sculpture and landscapes along the Loire and in the Hâvre Valley.

Châteaux and views of the Loire

The medieval Château d’Oudon is classified as a Monument historique. The Duke of Malestroit, Lord of Oudon, had his château rebuilt from 1392. Its polygonal tower has wide openings overlooking the Loire. The donjon of Oudon is 32.5 metres high; the highlight of a visit is the view from its summit across the Hâvre Valley. In Oudon, both the Loire and the valley offer different perspectives on the landscape.

Another chapter in the town’s history is the Château de Vieille Cour, a medieval castle ruin built in the second half of the 13th century. The château offers guided tours for groups of ten or more throughout the year by appointment. Arrange your appointment before you arrive.

Sculpture and craftsmanship

The monumental sculpture trail runs through shady parks, past the marina and along the Hâvre River. It currently features around forty works created during sculpture symposiums; new works may be added. A biennial schedule was planned for the monumental sculpture symposium from 1999 onward. The symposium was intended to bring five sculptors from around the world together to each create a work in the castle courtyard and then exhibit it in the town.

The Maison des Créateurs is open to visitors. Five resident craftspeople display their work there and work on site; the group of resident craftspeople may change. Another exhibition area features work by artists and craftspeople who do not work in the workshop. Creative workshops focus on craftsmanship, and their dates may vary.

Hâvre Valley, Loire and trails

The Hâvre Valley winds between woods and meadows and is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant life. The circular route through the valley is 6.3 kilometres long, with an indicated walking time of one hour and 50 minutes. Check local conditions before setting out. A section of the Loire à Vélo route also passes through Oudon. When planning, take current route conditions and possible works into account.

The Loire at Oudon is considered a river for leisure activities. From Oudon, you can explore the river aboard La Luce; trips operate according to a seasonal timetable. Check the timetable before your trip. Whether you would rather take a route through the landscape or travel on the river, there are different ways to experience the area around Oudon.

More activities and visitor information

Les écuries de la Tour are in the village centre, opposite the leisure area and near the banks of the Loire. Activities include riding lessons and trail rides, as well as introductions to vaulting and carriage driving for children and adults. Pony rides and Shetland pony hire for fairs and other celebrations are also available.

Oudon’s Sunday market offers fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, crêpes, bread and prepared foods. The market day and vendors’ offerings may change. There is access to fishing at the Plan d’eau; a car park is located on Chemin du Rio. Check fishing regulations and water conditions locally. The Oudon TER station has a ticket machine; check the station facilities before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Fégréac, Vieillevigne, Conquereuil, Legé, Pornichet, Couffé, Remouillé, Corcoué-Sur-Logne.

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