Circular route for four parks in Saint-Herblain

The starting point is located on Avenue Louis Guilloux in Saint-Herblain, between the roundabout at the intersection of this avenue and Avenue des Thébaudières and the Pont de Chézine bridge. This avenue is located on the edge of the Parc du Val de Chézine.

(S/E) Take the path marked by a signpost for Route Hermeland (opposite Parc du Val de Chézine) and follow it straight ahead. Cross two roads with caution and you will arrive, via a playground, at the foot of the "Le Sillon" building, an architectural monument.

(1) Turn left and walk along a long building that was once a wing of Le Sillon. It has been cut off to form a large square. Follow the path to a road, turn left and then right. There is a viewpoint over the Chézine, bordered by trees, including two remarkable cypresses. Continue to a path entrance on the left (at a pedestrian crossing).

(2) Turn left onto this path. Cross a sandy path that runs perpendicular to your route. Walk past a children's playground on your left. Continue straight ahead until you reach a street, which you should cross carefully to reach the fence surrounding a stadium.

(3) Turn right along the stadium until you reach a car park, which you will follow until you reach a large roundabout. Then turn left into a passageway running alongside the road, which will be on your right. Look for a path entrance on the left, just before a bridge over the motorway, marked by a series of large concrete blocks.

(4) Turn left onto a path that is tarmac at first, then grassy, with a steep descent. At the bottom of the descent, just after a gate on the left, you will come to a path running alongside the Chézine.

(5) Turn right to pass under the motorway bridge. Continue along this path which runs alongside the Chézine river on your left. When you reach the safety barriers, do not attempt to cross them.

(6) Turn left and follow the path, which ends at a busy road. Cross the road very carefully and continue straight ahead. Turn right, cross the bridge, then take the path opening up on the left. Continue straight ahead, with the Chézine on your left. Ignore the various entrances on the right. When you reach a small hill, you will see a path on the right that you should ignore.

(7) Take the path on the left marked "circular path of the Gournerie". Continue until you find a path on your right that starts with a staircase. Take this path for practical reasons (it can be very muddy or very slippery). You will pass through a small tunnel to reach the entrance to the Parc de la Gournerie.

(8) Once inside the park, turn left (signposted "circular route of the Gournerie"), leaving the castle on your right. Continue until you see a signpost marked "les étangs 400 m" (the ponds 400 m).

(9) Turn right to leave the wide path. Take the stairs that lead to a path coming from the right. Turn left and follow this new path, which climbs slightly, until you find a path entrance on the left, just before the start of a descent. You will see a large car park on the left. Cross it, heading for the left-hand side of a set of signs indicating parking reserved for disabled people. You will arrive at the corner of the first pond, enclosed by a dyke.

(10) Walk along this first pond, keeping it on your right. Continue to a staircase that will take you to the top of another dyke, which closes off a second pond.

(11) Turn left to reach the left side of the second pond. At the end of the dyke, turn right onto a path that runs alongside the pond on your right. Follow it straight ahead until you reach a long wooden footbridge that branches off to the right and joins a path coming from the right.

(12) Turn left onto this new path. At the first crossroads, turn right and follow the path that crosses the golf course. Continue straight ahead until you reach a large car park on your left.

(13) A little further on, turn left onto a path marked with a yellow cross. This will take you, via a long right-hand bend, to a meadow below the Château de la Gournerie. Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the park entrance.

(8) Follow the same route back, taking the same precautions as on the way there. You will come to the bridge over the motorway.

(5) Continue straight ahead along the Chézine until you reach an information sign marked "Circular Gournerie - Chatterie" followed by a barrier.

(14) Cross the private road to continue on the path opposite. Continue until you see a passage under a bridge on your right.

(15) Turn right to pass under the bridge (the passage can sometimes be muddy), cross the footbridge immediately on the right and take the "Onyx" route. You will find a footpath along a small road, going uphill. When you reach a pedestrian crossing, turn right and cross the road carefully. Turn left onto the footpath that runs alongside a larger road. Continue straight ahead after carefully crossing two roads. You will come to a crossroads.

(16) Continue straight ahead, ignoring a yellow cross, to make a large circular loop to the left that will take you to Les Quatre Vents, a lovely picnic spot ( the view offered by an information panel is hidden by a beautiful row of trees!).

(17) Continue along the path, turning left to return to the previous fork.

(16) Turn right, then left at the first junction to reach the car park of Saint-Thomas Church.

(18) Turn left to find the Charles-Gautier-Hermeland Media Library, then the Parc de la Bégraisière farmhouse (markings on the ground). Continue straight ahead, following the small wall bordering the park on your right until you find a wide path lined with a wall.

(19) This path initially runs in a beautiful straight line. It takes you back to the Chézine, which you will find by turning left to reach a footbridge. Cross it and take a small path on the left, which follows the Chézine and will take you back to the finish opposite the (S/E).

• You can reach the starting point by taking bus 59 to the "Pont de Chézine" stop, which is very close to the start. You can also take bus 59 or 89 to the "Bouvernière" stop, which is about 100 metres from the starting point.
• There are car parks all around the starting point, both on Boulevard du Val de Chézine and at the intersection with Avenue des Thébaudières.
• You will find signposts along the entire route. Please ignore them! Several trails intersect and criss-cross this route.
• The paths can be very muddy in places if the weather is very wet or there has been heavy rain. Wear appropriate footwear.

• The Parc de la Gournerie offers many opportunities for walks and discoveries. Of particular note are:

- the pretty Château de la Gournerie, home to a popular restaurant,
- the ponds with numerous picnic tables.

• The four parks offer numerous picnic areas.
• For flora enthusiasts, the trail along the Chézine river offers lovely discoveries throughout the seasons.