Top 10 Natural Monuments around Cholet

The Pierre de l'Écuelle, also known as the Rochers de Mélusine, is a rather astonishing geological pile. Legend has it that the Devil's plate and knife are engraved there. Another equally credible explanation would have it that the fairy Mélusine accidentally dropped the famous stone from her apron. From the path you have to cross a fenced meadow to get there.

Archaeological site unearthed in 2020 by villagers who, while clearing a low wall, realized that they were on a vast terraced wall 60 meters long. These dry stone walls are spread out over a height of 40 meters on the hillside. The origin, probably Celtic, remains uncertain and the function very mysterious. Military? Agricultural? Religious? Druidic? A bit of everything at once? This complex is part of a very pleasant natural site on the banks of the Divatte River. Numerous picnic tables, toilets and drinking water.

The Bréau menhir, also called the Pierre qui tourne du Moulin Neuf or the Vinegar Stone, is a menhir located in Fief-Sauvin. The building was listed as a historical monument in 1990. The menhir is located a short distance from the left bank of the Èvre. It is made of greenish, Precambrian schist, infiltrated with quartz. Its height varies between 3.30 m and 3.50 m given the slope of the land. Seen from the front, the two sides meet slightly to form a wide rounded top. Seen from the west side, on its flat surface, it appears to end in a point. The building was apparently the subject of an old excavation that revealed a wedge with bricks from the Roman era. On the other bank of the Èvre, in the commune of Beaupréau, there once stood the Pierre Aubrée (Obrée, Au Bré), a granite menhir of which only the buried part remains, with an average diameter of 1.50 metres. According to tradition, the menhir turns at the stroke of midnight. The stone is said to smell of vinegar. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir_de_Br%C3%A9au

Former limestone quarry supplying the nearby lime kilns. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fours_%C3%A0_chaux_du_Foss%C3%A9-Neuf_et_Sainte-Catherine

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.

Beaupréau Park is a 32-hectare park which surrounds a historic castle in the department of Maine-et-Loire. Throughout the year, you can walk for free in the park and enjoy the different landscapes, such as the woods, the garden, the orchard and the banks of the Evre. You can also admire the sculptures from the Montjean sur Loire symposium, a meeting of expert sculptors. The park offers many trails suitable for different levels of difficulty. Whether you want to push yourself on a fitness trail or simply run leisurely, this park is for you.

The Terrasses du Midi are ancient stone terraces that climb the hillside, facing south and offering a panoramic view of the valley. The origin and function of these terraces are still unknown, but some believe that they date back to Celtic times. You can explore the site and admire the handicraft work of the dry stone walls, as well as enjoy the natural environment of Perthuis Churin, a protected area with rich biodiversity. This is a great opportunity to discover a hidden gem of the Pays de la Loire region and immerse yourself in its history and culture.

Lac du Verdon is an artificial lake created by a dam on the Moine. It extends over 220 hectares and offers a variety of landscapes, from bocage to forest to plain. You can circle the lake on a path of around 18 km, or take a shorter route that connects the lake to Lac de Ribou. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate the richness of the flora and fauna of the region, in particular the birds which find refuge in this nature reserve. Lac du Verdon is the ideal place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature.