Briollay between river landscapes, hiking trails and heritage

Briollay lies between the Loir and the Sarthe in the heart of the Basses Vallées Angevines. If you are choosing a destination based on your own interests, three local highlights can help guide you: protected nature, marked hiking trails and historic buildings. This can help you decide whether natural surroundings, a particular route or architectural history should be the deciding factor.

Natural landscapes: protection and habitat

The natural landscape of Briollay is part of the Natura 2000 network. Its natural meadows provide breeding habitat for the rare corncrake. These bring together two perspectives: Natura 2000 places the landscape within a network of protected areas, while the meadows offer a specific connection to birdlife.

The protected educational wetland, Marais pédagogique, recreates the Basses Vallées Angevines on a smaller scale. This offers two ways to explore the natural environment: as a landscape of natural meadows and as a miniature representation of the area. There is also a specific rule of conduct for the Marais: picking flowers and uprooting plants is prohibited. Check the local authority’s information before visiting, as the rule may be updated.

Hiking trails and their waymarkers

Four marked hiking trails start in Briollay, including a shared-use trail. This number gives you a first indication if you want to consider the selection of marked trails when choosing your destination.

Les prairies alluviales is a marked hiking trail 15.5 kilometres long, marked in yellow. The distance and the colour answer different planning questions: the distance helps you gauge the route, while the yellow marking identifies its waymarker colour. As published distances and markings may be revised, check the latest information before setting out.

Architectural history and visit dates

The Church of Saint-Marcel was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. Guided tours with commentary are held there during the European Heritage Days. The construction period is a historical reference point, while the tour is part of a specific event. If a tour is important to your trip, check the exact dates in advance.

The Palais Perrin, also known as the Palais de Justice, dates from the beginning of the 13th century. It is one of the few surviving secular buildings in the so-called Plantagenet style. Compared with the church, it dates from a later century and is a different type of building. This lets you distinguish between two historical perspectives: different periods of construction and the difference between secular and religious architecture.

Plan your journey

IRIGO bus route 31 serves Briollay. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off, as routes and times may change. Comparing it with your travel dates can help you include transport in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Martigné-Briand, Ingrandes, Noyant, Brain-Sur-Allonnes, Saint-Paul-Du-Bois, Beaupréau, Neuillé, Landemont.

Back to the regional travel guide: Maine-Et-Loire.