Thouaré-Sur-Loire: Loire Riverbanks, Bridges and History

Thouaré-sur-Loire brings together riverside landscapes, historic bridges and structures. Getting there is straightforward too: the TER journey from Nantes SNCF station to Thouaré-sur-Loire takes seven minutes. If you’re planning your stay, check the timetable for your travel dates.

Loire landscapes and riverside trails

The municipality lies on the banks of the Loire; two-thirds of its area consists of natural or agricultural land. The riverbanks and open countryside give the town a different focus from the structures that tell its history. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you’re most interested in the landscape, the bridges or the historic sites.

The Bords de Loire route leads to the small Pont de la Chalandière, also known as Pont de l’Arche. The bridge is one of the oldest structures in Thouaré-sur-Loire. The route also invites you to cycle along the river and use it as a starting point for longer trips. The bridge and cycle route thus bring together two aspects of the Loire riverbank: a specific historic structure and a longer riverside route.

The Pont de la Chalandière is on the Sauterelle towpath, about 800 metres upstream from the Ponts de Thouaré, on the right bank of the Loire. Its stone arch spanning the Chalandière stream may date back to the Middle Ages. The cautious dating is important: the age of the arch has not been definitively established.

The bridges and their history

The Ponts de Thouaré are not a single bridge, but two consecutive metal bridges crossing two branches of the Loire. The Île de la Chesnaie lies between them. The bridges were built between 1879 and 1882, linking Thouaré-sur-Loire on the right bank with Saint-Julien-de-Concelles on the left bank. Their unusual structure is worth noting: two river branches and an island form part of this crossing.

The Port de Thouaré is another trace of the area’s history. Until the 19th century, it was one of the most important ports on the upper Loire. Its former importance adds a history of transport and connection to the picture of the river landscape.

Châteaux, estates and wetlands

The history of the Château de Thouaré dates back to the 10th century. At that time, a medieval motte surrounded by ditches was built. The château still features moats, a reminder of the estate’s medieval origins. The grounds cover seven hectares on the banks of the Loire.

South of the town centre, the Demeure, dite château de La Picauderie, lies right on the Loire. It is privately owned. The building was constructed in 1773, modelled on a country house in the area around Nantes known as a “folie nantaise.” The term refers to an architectural style associated with the Nantes region; the riverside setting and building history each give the site its own point of interest.

The Vallon du Gobert marks the boundary between Thouaré-sur-Loire and Mauves-sur-Loire. The stream of the same name runs through the valley and flows into the Loire. Together with the Vallon de la Seilleraye upstream and the Boire de Mauves downstream, it forms a continuous series of wetlands and marshes. The valley is accessible only as part of organised excursions; check current options before your trip. The bridge structure traditionally called “pont romain” in the Vallon actually dates from the Middle Ages.

A seasonal stay on the Loire riverbank

In summer, the Guinguette de Thouaré serves food and drinks on the banks of the Loire. It also hosts events such as concerts and shows. Since this is a seasonal offering, check the current dates and programme for your travel dates. The historic structures, river landscape and the possibility of a summer stay by the water offer different reasons to visit Thouaré-sur-Loire.

Discover more destinations: Guérande, Soulvache, Monnières, Sucé-Sur-Erdre, Grand-Auverné, Haute-Goulaine, Vallet, Saint-Vincent-Des-Landes

For the main travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.