Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Loire-Atlantique

Perhaps you have passed by this building many times without ever noticing it? And yet... At the initiative of the diocese of Nantes, the Passage Sainte-Croix opened its doors at the end of 2010. It is the link between the Place Sainte-Croix and the Rue de la Bâclerie, in the heart of the Bouffay district. It is now through a very nice medieval garden that one can access this cultural center open to all, which aims to be a place of dialogue, education, reflection and culture. It offers many activities for the general public: heritage and contemporary art exhibitions, live performances, meetings and debates (Midis de Sainte-Croix, Samedis du Passage, conferences, round tables, film debates). But also guided tours and workshops for adults, activities for young people and an educational offer for schools. In just a few years, the Passage Sainte-Croix has become a full-fledged player in the cultural life of Nantes, partner of the Voyage à Nantes, the Folle Journée, the Photographic Fortnight... Note that the rooms of the Passage Sainte-Croix can be privatized: the patio (116^m2), the priory (70^m2), the workshop (67^m2).

Located south-east of Pornic, the dolmen of the Joselière is a funeral monument built around 3500 BC in the Middle Neolithic. It consists of a partially conserved quadrangular mound, approximately 12 metres apart. Consisting of a mass of flat stone stones, it is framed by two straight walls of dry stone, and contains a transeptée megalithic tomb (crossing of the side rooms and corridor) composed of four well-individualized quadrangular side chambers and served by an axial corridor whose entrance faces the south-east. It is accessible by the coastal road, about 200 metres from the beach of Joselière.

Dug in 1923, this large artificial canal is located on 2 km by a walk of poplar. At its end, you reach the marshes, with a beautiful view over the whole Loire. The valley of Musse was submerged by the Loire only during large tides in winter. On the other side, the silhouette of the abbey of Buzay is drawing.

It covers 3 000 m 2 and has 180 varieties of saved apples in memory. It grows to welcome pear.

Goubault's oldest printer, Goubault is no less at the cutting edge of technology. Since 1995, this company has been awarded the "green imprim" label thanks to intelligent management of its waste and the use of plant inks. A one-and-a-half hour tour at the heart of an impressive workshop, of printers passionate over the last four generations. This visit will particularly delight children.

This site visit shows the solutions of "sustainable development" found by Véolia cleanliness in order to respond to one of the greatest challenges: what do we do with our waste so that we don't with the planet? It is a two-hour journey to the country of waste proposed to you. The transformation of the latter into mineral, organic and energy resources will no longer have a secret for you thanks to the visits of the selective collection centre, the high-performance sorting centre, and the energy recovery unit.

Located in the heart of the island of Versailles, La Maison de l'Erdre is a building that looks like a Japanese tea pavilion, a change of scenery guaranteed for this piece of Asia in the heart of the city! It houses permanent exhibitions that allow you to discover the ecosystems of the Erdre. The aquariums presenting the local fish species have disappeared. Transition obliges, there are no more animals in captivity, the place turns towards the ecology of the river via panels. The Maison de l'Erdre also hosts temporary exhibitions on the environment and numerous photo exhibitions. Panels teach visitors about the history of this island and its activities in the past, a nice introduction before a cruise on board Bateaux Nantais!

Discovery of the forest of Saint-Mars-la-Jaille and Ancenis thanks to numerous hiking and equestrian tours. A tour guide «In Pays d'Ancenis» is available in tourist offices and town halls. The big hikers will choose the GR 3 which runs along the submarine trail. The most beautiful sites can be discovered by the Loire Dream Trail, a 64 km loop well marked. You can also choose to go up the Loire by bicycle. The fact sheets are also available in tourist offices and town halls.

This cave has always been a place of pilgrimage and is located on the north side of the church. Also called a cell, it is where Vital (or Viau), the former patron of the parish, lived. The cave was forgotten during the Revolution. The priest Lechat rediscovered it in 1849. It was then 7 m long and 2 m wide. In the past, the opening of the cave was in the priory's garden. We went down a stone staircase there. The outer entrance to the cave was then placed in the northern chapel of the church. In 1910, Father Sort had a reduction of the Lourdes cave and a wire entrance built, which were restored in 2017 by volunteers.

The Hocmard is a tributary of the Erdre which is currently undergoing rehabilitation. A site suitable for birds and aquatic wildlife.

Labelled since 1146 in the cartulaire of Saint Florent, the Forges Forges site is a former charcoal smelter operated in its current form since the th, but known for processing ore since the th century. Today it is a magnificent place, like any old metallurgical site, including a pond, a splendid house of master housing and operating buildings. It is very good for you to walk in fine weather and during the beautiful season, a walk with terrace welcomes you on the water side. It is absolutely imperative, if you want to know the techniques of this profession, now almost disappeared, to attend the animations during which a team of professionals will show you a demonstration, from the manufacture of the mould to the sand to the finished piece.

Donges is also a city of water. The marshes surrounding it have been the subject of important work: locks, valves testify to this project for soil planning. The Liberge site is a protected reserve of fauna and flora. An ornithological observatory has been built.

Located between the new fields and the Migron on the left bank of the estuary, the reserves of Massereau and Migron extend over more than 700 hectares. At the heart of the Loire Estuary, one of the most important French sites for the conservation of migratory birds, these reserves constitute the wintering place for many anatidae, particularly winter teal. In a nature outing dedicated to the birds of the estuary, a naturalist guide will convey its knowledge of local fauna and flora. These outings are organised and accompanied by the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS) with the support of the Conseil général de Loire-Atlantique. Free of charge, they invite you to discover the reserves of Du and Du, their history, their fauna and their flora. Upon reservation.

Start the garage of the Pré-Clos and follow the course for 4 km. Then take the road to the parking and turn left. After 300 m, a road leads you to a small road. Cross it and catch another little path that will lead you to the railway. Go under another bridge and continue straight after the picnic area. The trail leads to the heart of the vineyards of the hamlet of the Pierre-Meslière. For return, take the same route in reverse directions.

A soil rich in iron ore, a territory covered by forests and water favored the birth of metallurgy in the country of Châteaubriant in the seventeenth century. The Hunaudière forges, the site of La Forge Neuve… the beautiful houses of the master are the nostalgic remains of an industry that knows its apogee in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. But the invention of the forged forge in English competition the metallurgy to wood. The use of coke in blast furnaces and the appearance of steel sound like the ice. In 1884 the last furnace, that of the Hunaudière, ceased its activity.

The Bord de Loire is the ideal place to relax and enjoy a pleasant stroll from the Walkers, with its lead tower, cycling paths, port and esplanade open onto the river.

Remarkable Mégalithe visible in forest. According to legend, the devil was responsible for building the «Bridge to the King» at night, at the exit of the ancient village of La. He brought the last stone and he had a good place to celebrate this in the cellars. Through the forest of Oisillière, he heard the rooster singing and announcing the day; he had to ask the stone and disappear… Today, turn around 7 times of mad stone without breathing. Legend says you will have a chance to review the devil. And climb up the rock, you will always find water…

In the village of La at the Remaudière, the signs recall the passage of the old railway route of the "Petit Anjou", a means of transport that marked local history until the last war. This departmental railway crossed the vineyard to reach Nantes in Cholet via Beaupreau from 1893 to 1948. Founded in 1983, the Friends of the Little Anjou Association has restored a lorry, a draisine and a B 111 car from the Railway of Anjou. It presents a travelling exhibition, publishes brochures, postcards and books on the Petit Anjou. 

On the site of Perthuis Churin, you can see the remains of the church of Sainte-Magdeleine, dating back to the th century. The first religious building was built towards the year 777 and was dedicated to Saint Magdeleine, patron of Barbechat. In 1769, the building was too old, a church was erected at the Bois Guillet at the location of the present church. She was blessed in 1771.

There is a Gallic mound nearby. Some writings speak of a plot of land in which the wife of a lieutenant of Jules Caesar would be founded, others of a feudal motte of the th century serving as a monitoring place to control passage into the valley.

This monument consists of blocks of scattered sandstone and slabs in place delimiting quite clearly its different parts. To the west, the main chamber is partially covered by an imposing white quartz block. It was excavated at the end of the th century. This dolmen is listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments. You can access the site from the coast trail.