The most beautiful natural sites to discover Loire-Atlantique

On the Great beacon path, a few hundred metres from the forest trail, you will discover the right-hand oak on the nails. It is a 500-year-old tree that is supposed to have curative powers against espoir of humans. This oak would be the only survivor of a group of oaks slaughtered before 1742, it is now isolated in the midst of younger subjects. With a circumference of 4,20 metres to 1 metres from the ground, it is distinguished by a niche attached to its trunk which houses a Virgin to the Child, and especially by a trunk covered with hundreds of nails. In the past, the word nail designated furuncles; and popular tradition attributes to this oak the power to heal these painful conditions. A former pagan rite was practised: it was about coming alone, at night, sheltered from eyes, rubbing coffin nails against the sick part of his body; Then take seven times the tower of the tree, send a prayer to the soul of the tree, plant the nails in the trunk on the face that never see the sun. The rite ended with hindsight and welcoming the tree.

Walking on a footbridge in the middle of the beds and climb at the top of a lookout to observe the Loire, the marshes, the chimneys of the power station of Cordemais, the bridge of Saint-Nazaire, the village of Lavau-sur-Loire, this tells you? Travel is worth a detour: The view is splendid. This observatory is the work of the world renowned Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata. It was created in 2007 as part of the Biennale of Contemporary Art (now known as the trip to Nantes). The idea is: allow an immersion in the marshes (until then inaccessible), at the closest to the Loire, and thus recreate the link between the men and the places. Specifically, access to this Observatory is made by a footbridge located 40 cm above the wetlands and 800 m long. The tides at the coefficient greater than 90 with a strong west wind can surprise the visitor by covering the footbridge of a few centimetres of water. A walk not to be missed before you go to eat a crepe at Yseult at the Maison du Port.

Here they are not ornithologists, but technicians from the Loire-Atlantique Hunters Federation to make one of the best observations of local wildlife. The hunters are the managers of the site and will reveal to you all the secrets of the reserve, driving you on private roads and their mobile observatory to enjoy the ornithological richness of the lake, located second position after the Camargue. The visit may be canceled according to the level of water. In case of rain, arrange boots.

Snipe of marshes are hardly visible because it melts in vegetation. This great traveller born in northern Europe in the spring, likes to come to Calvados to get there during his migration. Large gatherings are observed in October. The farouche white spatula is not easy to reach. Its white plumage, its large white paws and its long bec shaped bec give its originality. Marshes are a quality pantry for this protected species travelling from the Netherlands to Senegal. It nests every spring in willow groves in the middle of roselière.

This club chaired by Bernard Renoux and his charming team is opened with all in love ones with nature and the sport (as of five years)! It accommodates all the year most sporting within the club located at the nautical base of Papinière. Independently, one can rent kayaks for one strolls as regards water which constitutes Erdre worthy of Sucked. One will be able also to go up the river or to go down again it by the strength of paddles. And it is an absolutely exceptional environment which is revealed with us... It is possible to come to Sucé-sur-Erdre by the train in twenty minutes from Nantes. Attention, the rental of the kayaks is carried out on reservation by phone or by e-mail; and it is well at the port of Sucé-sur-Erdre that we are invited to recover equipment (not with the club). Various fixed rate formulas are proposed, into individual or group. In addition, within the water sports club, one can practise the following activities: schools of paddle for young people and adults, kayak-sports shirt, left in water-sharp and discovered. Here with Sucked, a shuttle can take us along upstream from Nort-sur-Erdre to Moulin des Vaux, in order to go down again the river. To make in family or between friends, guaranteed pleasure! It any more but does not remain to take along the sunscreen, a quantity of water sufficient and to envisage one hour, one half-day or the day for the excursions!

What better than an old rig to discover the hidden charm of the islands of the Loire? Embark on a Nooit Volmaak, a tjalk of 1912 (Dutch sailing boat). This boat is allowed to accommodate twelve people and take you to a fabulous introductory journey. You can observe the fauna and flora on the last wild river in Europe thanks to the wise advice of the captain who knows this river as his pocket. Nice discoveries in the program.

"The settlers" is the title of a permanent work of art created by the American Sarah Sze as part of the 2012 Estuary Biennale of Contemporary Art. It is to be discovered in Port Lavigne, a hamlet nestled on the banks of the Loire, in Bouguenais. This work is revealed by walking (from the car park, allow 15 to 35 minutes of walk). We then immerse ourselves in a vast natural domain of wet meadows (some wooden footbridges can be soaked according to the tides). On the way, we observe three trees "colonized" by giant sculptures: a bear cub climbs with the help of its mother, a jaguar lazes on the branch of the second and a third shelters monkeys.

Municipal authorization of June 5, 2002 for Choizeau beach. Between the port to the Goths - access through the customs trail - and Portmain. 200 m naturist zone delimited by panels.

The visit of the Maison de l'Eau et des Paysages allows us to discover a reconstruction of a small scale valley and thus better understand the overall functioning of a territory where many actors interact. A discovery tour, a site of interpretation of the landscape and two teaching rooms complement this layout. Educational and experimentation tools and activities are also available to school and non-school groups with a view to environmental awareness. The visit can continue with the filter gardens (new ecological purification plant). This site constitutes an experiment in the treatment of wastewater by a pathway excluding any chemical process, and has received the support of official bodies. Wastewater, after settling, is treated in several basins by bacteria and plants that eliminate most pollutants.

The Guérande salt marshes are a must-see tourist attraction in the town of Guérande, Loire-Atlantique. Located in the communes of Guérande, Batz-sur-Mer, Le Croisic and La Turballe, the salt marshes offer a unique and picturesque landscape. Visitors can discover the history and workings of these salt marshes on guided tours of the site, accompanied by professionals. The Guérande salt marshes also offer themed tours, such as discovering the wealth of marsh plants. For hiking enthusiasts, classic hikes are also available.