Saint-André-Des-Eaux: Trails, Golf and Heritage

Saint-André-Des-Eaux offers a variety of ways to plan your stay around nature, outdoor activities, culture or an event. The routes vary in length and mode of travel; the garden visit is seasonal, while golf and the annual festival each involve their own planning considerations.

Discover trails and landscapes

The “Les Gascieux” loop is 8.3 km long, marked in yellow and starts in the centre of Saint-André-Des-Eaux. It passes through the landscape between hamlets and marshes. The route therefore combines a start in the town with a walk through the surrounding cultural landscape.

The 13.5 km “Terre de Brière” route starts at Port de la Chaussée Neuve and can be travelled on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. Along the way, it passes Port de Tréhé, a typical Brière harbour in the municipality of Saint-André-Des-Eaux. The route also offers an opportunity to observe the local flora and numerous bird species. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus on outdoor activity or nature observation.

The “Marais et Bocage” route leads to an orientation table with a 180-degree panorama over one of France’s largest freshwater marshes. The route also passes traditional thatched houses and bread ovens. It combines views across the marsh with examples of regional architecture; the panorama and the houses offer distinct impressions along the same route.

If you are planning a cycling trip, “Les Charmes de la Brière” is an easy 21.6 km cycling loop. It starts at the church in Saint-André-Des-Eaux. It is the longest of the routes mentioned, and it also differs from the “Terre de Brière” walk and its multiple modes of travel by being designated specifically for cycling.

Heritage and garden visits

The Menhir à cupules in Saint-André-Des-Eaux is a Neolithic menhir and was classified as a Monument historique in 1889. These details mark different aspects: Neolithic refers to the stone’s prehistoric period, while 1889 refers to its classification as a historic monument. If you are interested in heritage, you can distinguish the menhir’s historical period from its later classification.

Le Jardin aux Dragons offers guided tours from June to September. The tours introduce visitors to permaculture, horticulture, plant communities and the semi-underground bioclimatic greenhouse. Since visits are seasonal and booking conditions apply, check the dates and conditions before visiting.

Golf and the August festival date

Golf International Barrière La Baule, on Route de Saint Denac in Saint-André-Des-Eaux, has 45 holes across three courses, as well as a practice facility with 55 practice bays. The course is open year-round; external players may also take part in competitions. Before travelling, check the latest information about the facilities, opening hours and participation, as the layout and amenities may change.

The Fête des Chalands Fleuris takes place every year on the first Sunday in August. During its scenic parade, around a hundred costumed participants manoeuvre chalands decorated with more than 100,000 fresh flowers. While the golf course is open year-round, the festival takes place on this annual date. If you want to plan your stay around it, check the exact event date before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Soudan, Saint-Aubin-Des-Châteaux, La Bernerie-En-Retz, Fay-de-Bretagne, Corcoué-Sur-Logne, Sucé-Sur-Erdre, La Chapelle-Des-Marais, La Chapelle Sur Erdre

For the wider travel guide: Loire-Atlantique.