The best walks and hikes around Mauges-Sur-Loire

Beautiful view of the Loire from the heights of the old quarry

Two lime kilns which were built around 1840.

Located in the Mauges region (Maine-et-Loire), the Èvre River rises in the commune of Vezins, about twelve kilometers northeast of Cholet. It flows into the Loire (left bank) a little downstream from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Its total length is 91.8 kilometers. Throughout the Èvre watershed, there are 567 km of rivers, including the following main tributaries: Pont Laurent, Trézenne, Avresne, Beuvron, Montatais, and Montbault.

La Pommeraye is crossed from south to north by two streams that flow into the Loire: the Moulins stream to the east and the Benoist mill stream to the west. Each stream had its own water mills: six for the Benoist mill, and thirteen for the Moulins stream. Several of them, if not most of them, were coupled with windmills. This doubling allowed the miller to work with water when the stream was flowing at full capacity (winter), and with wind when it was dry (summer).

A superb abbey church, a place of memory of the Vendée wars with the tomb of Bonchamps, by David d'Angers and a crypt rich in a beautiful historical and artistic collection. The former Benedictine abbey has become a cultural center. The square offers a superb view of the Loire!

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusillades_du_Marillais https://www.petit-patrimoine.com/fiche-petit-patrimoine.php?id_pp=49190_1 Better than a long speech, an extract from the book “Histoire de Vendée” by Deniau relates the tragic events of this place. “More than two thousand people were shot at Marillais from December 23-24, 1793 until April 8, 1794. There were first executed the men taken with weapons in their hands and who had not been able to follow the Vendée army in the spree of Galerne. Then the women and children, and finally everyone we could arrest. Searches were carried out in all neighboring parishes. The "patriots" of Saint Florent, especially animated by a sort of rage towards the unfortunate outlaws, not only pursued all those they could seize in the neighboring communes, but they also crossed the Loire... They paid emissaries to bring to Marillais all those who passed for "aristocrats" (generally small people) and each municipality gave them 25 pounds per person arrested. The victims were taken to this meadow at the foot of Mont-Glonne, where they were shot. In the midst of all these massacres, several good families from St-Florent dedicated themselves to saving some of these condemned men from death..." The monument is located near the Promenade Julien Gracq.

The Petit Lapin lime kiln, an ancient lime kiln located in the Loire Valley, is a site that was once used to produce lime by burning limestone and wood, a process that dates back to Roman times. You can explore the remains of the oven, built with local stones and bricks, and admire the views of the vineyards and surrounding hills. It's a great way to discover the industrial heritage of the region and enjoy the natural beauty of the landscape.

If you are a lover of literature and nature, you might enjoy the Promenade Julien Gracq, a two-kilometer walk along the Loire. This trail was frequented by the famous writer Julien Gracq, born in Saint Florent le Vieil, a charming village on the banks of the Loire. As you stroll along the sandy path, you can read extracts from his works and admire views of the river and countryside. The walk leaves the village and ends at the sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Marillais, where the Evre joins the Loire.