Tillières: Hiking, Heritage and Wine

Tillières offers easy hiking trails, a mountain bike loop and cultural highlights ranging from a historic mill to a neo-Gothic church. The trails vary in length and starting point; the cultural themes span architecture, religious dedication and wine tasting.

Hiking and Landscapes

The loop trails currently listed by Sèvremoine include “La Cour” and “Les Vignes”. “La Cour” is 5 km long, rated easy and marked in yellow; the loop starts at the car park by Moulin Guillou. “Les Vignes” is 10 km long, also rated easy, and starts at the same car park. Both hiking trails therefore share the same starting point and difficulty rating, while “Les Vignes” is twice as long. There is also a picnic area near Moulin Guillou.

The “La Cour” loop passes through vineyards and bocage landscapes, as well as sites of medieval heritage. Highlights include a fortified farmstead and L’Orvoire, the remains of an 18th-century manor. The route thus brings together landscapes and historical sites; the heritage described spans the Middle Ages to the 18th-century estate.

Moulin Guillou and its History

Moulin Guillou is a two-storey tower windmill, built around 1860 and restored in 1982. Its Berton sails have a span of 14 metres. The rotating cap can be turned to face the prevailing winds. The construction and restoration dates mark two points in the tower’s history; the sail span and cap describe its design. These details make it possible to situate the building both in time and through specific architectural features.

The Église Saint-Pierre in Tillières also has a clearly defined date: it was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1869–1870. At the Grotte de Lourdes du Verger, by contrast, the focus is on its blessing and dedication. It was blessed around 1932 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church can therefore be characterized by its architectural style and construction date, while the grotto is defined by its religious significance.

Mountain Biking and Nature Watching

The “Les Vignes VTT” mountain bike loop is 6.5 km long, rated easy and starts on Route de l’Olivière. Its length falls between the 5 km of “La Cour” and the 10 km of “Les Vignes”. Unlike the two hiking trails, it does not start at the car park by Moulin Guillou. The named routes can therefore be distinguished by activity, distance and starting point.

Near the Braudière stream, you may be able to spot Eupatoire chanvrine. The plant grows mainly in wetlands or alongside ditches; its visibility may vary by season. The stream is the local reference point for a possible sighting, while wetlands and ditches describe the plant’s preferred habitat.

Wine at Domaine du Colombier

At Domaine du Colombier in Tillières, you can explore the cellar and enjoy personalized wine tastings with the winemaker. Exploring the cellar and tasting wine are two different ways to discover the estate and its wines. As opening details may change, check the current visitor information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Vernantes, Le Longeron, La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Linières-Bouton, Corné, Nuaillé, Coron, Saint-Pierre-Montlimart

For the broader travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.