Discover legends and medieval history from Champtoceaux

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From the unmissable panorama of the Loire at Le Champalud to the ruins of the Citadel of Champtoceaux, via the Coulée de la Luce, a path steeped in legend, you will pass through unspoilt countryside.

Details

n°1979030
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 96 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 101 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 74 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4 m
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Photos

Explore the Loire and the buildings of Champtoceaux
Panoramic view of Champalud

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Champtoceaux Tourist Office located in Champalud.

(S/E) Head towards the viewpoint and follow the marked trail parallel to Rue de Bretagne, which branches off to the right. You will come to an underpass that crosses the road.

(1) Take it on the left and continue until you reach the woods on the Coulée de la Luce trail with its open books explaining tales and legends. Walk through the woods to reach the banks of the Loire. See During the hike

(2) Walk along the Loire, turning left until you reach the Moulin Pendu.

(3) Pass underneath. Continue along the path, passing by Cul du Moulin and then under the bridge. Follow the D751C road and then cross it towards the paths after the place called La Bonde.
Further on, you will reach the crossroads of the path that climbs up to the ruins of the Citadel.

(4) Take it on the left, at the next crossroads turn left again to reach the ruins of the citadel.

(5) Continue around it and return to the crossroads.

(4) Take the path on the left and follow the Vainard stream. Turn left at the footbridge. At the edge of the woods, turn left onto Rue des Remparts. You will reach the crossroads at Sainte-Madeleine Church. Turn left to return to the Tourist Office car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 73 m - Tourist Office car park - Panorama du Champalud
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 66 m - Underground passage
  3. 2 : km 0.76 - alt. 8 m - Right: detour via the village of La Patache - La Loire
  4. 3 : km 1.66 - alt. 5 m - Le Moulin Pendu - Le Moulin Pendu
  5. 4 : km 2.55 - alt. 24 m - Crossroads towards the Citadel - Voinard (cours d'eau - affluent de la Loire)
  6. 5 : km 2.84 - alt. 54 m - Citadel ruins - Les Vestiges de la Citadelle
  7. S/E : km 4.2 - alt. 73 m - Tourist Office car park

Worth a visit

(2) Alternative: here you can take a detour to explore the village of La Patache with its terraced houses on the hillside, then retrace your steps to continue the route.
L.A. Kayak leisure centre.
La Luce boat

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Philippe LOQUET
Philippe LOQUET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route with some nice elevation changes, particularly the climb up to and visit to the ruins of the old fortified castle.

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lolo36
lolo36

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route for exploring the area around Champtoceaux, with beautiful views of the Loire. The return trip to La Patache is also worth doing. The signage is confusing at times, as several routes merge and the description does not always help you make the right choice. But if you follow the route using the app, there are no problems. At the (5), the route was cut short because part of it was closed to the public (danger?).

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Blutch44
Blutch44
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Yesterday, Sunday, I had a little trouble finding my way from the Tourist Office. After that, it was fine. The signage is lacking in places. Superb walk, with good elevation changes for training.

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SophP60
SophP60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-described hike with the app, no real difficulty. Lovely views of the Loire, with numerous immersive panels on the history of the site. The detour via La Patache (fishing village) is well worth it. Worth doing again.

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bibi
bibi ★
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk offering lovely views of the Loire. But also the chance to explore the ruins of the Champtoceaux citadel. Information panels complete your immersion in the history of Champtoceaux.

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alafran85
alafran85

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant walk – beautiful views – stunning citadel!
However, the route lacks signposting. You can sometimes get lost...

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fabrouka88
fabrouka88

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Good route with lots of people, though, at the weekend.

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AIRBUS2016a
AIRBUS2016a

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent view of the Loire.
Don't miss a visit to the citadel.

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paloudu58
paloudu58
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

100km lockdown walk, halfway for the 9 people present. Magnificent views.

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Tontonsavate
Tontonsavate
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A route that runs mostly under trees, with beautiful views of the Loire and old stone buildings to discover.
A route with a few small hills, mostly on well-maintained paths. The detour to the village of La Patache is well worth it.

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