Liré: Joachim du Bellay and Loire Panorama

Liré combines Joachim du Bellay’s literary heritage with a wooded park, the Loire landscape and a long religious tradition. Practical activities are also among the possible highlights: at the museum, you can try calligraphy; at Coulée Saint-Joseph, take part in an orienteering activity; and at the educational farm, join a guided tour by prior arrangement. If you’re looking for hotels in Liré, you can tailor your choices to the themes you want to shape your stay.

Joachim du Bellay and La Turmelière Park

The ruins of Joachim du Bellay’s birthplace in the Parc du château de la Turmelière make for a walking destination. The wooded park is in Liré and covers 40 hectares. This site thus brings together a tangible literary monument and an extensive parkland setting. One of its viewpoints is a pond with a small island; from the island, there is an unobstructed view of the château.

The Musée Joachim Du Bellay is housed in Le Grand Logis, a 16th-century residence with turrets. The poet’s life and work are presented there in a Renaissance setting. Visitors can also try Renaissance calligraphy with a real goose feather. The exhibition and this hands-on activity offer two different ways to explore the subject: you can learn about the poet’s life and work or try a historical writing technique yourself.

Chapel history and Rogation celebrations

The Chapelle Notre Dame de Beaulieu is a 14th-century chapel in Liré. Originally dedicated to Saint Mark, it served as a pilgrimage site associated with the protection of crops and agricultural property. The annual Rogation celebrations continue a tradition dating back several centuries. The history of the town therefore focuses not only on the age of the building but also on a recurring religious tradition.

Landscape and activities

The landscape is also part of Liré’s character, offering a typical view of the Loire Valley. From the slopes, you can admire panoramic views over the Loire. The vista takes in the river and adds a distinct landscape perspective to the town’s cultural and architectural history.

At Coulée Saint-Joseph, visitors can use an orienteering map to find checkpoints and punch numbered cards with the punches attached to the posts. The map, checkpoints and punches give the activity clear steps: you search for the checkpoints and mark the map as you go. This offers an activity that combines navigation and movement, alongside walks and sightseeing.

The Ferme pédagogique de la Turmelière offers guided tours by prior arrangement. During these visits, you can see the animals up close, pet them and feed them. If you’d like to include this experience in your stay, arrange your visit in advance.

Wine from Domaine du Moulin Giron

At Domaine du Moulin Giron, Nadine and Quentin welcome visitors to the wine cellar to talk about the estate’s wines and offer tastings of its products. The Domaine is a family-run business that has been operating for five generations. A visit combines a tasting and a conversation about the wines with an insight into the estate’s history. Opening arrangements may vary, so check the current options before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Daumeray, Clefs-Val D'anjou, Cantenay-Épinard, Le Guédeniau, La Ménitré, La Romagne, Coutures, Cholet.

See the overview of destinations in the region: Maine-Et-Loire.