Languin Mines route

The village of Languin still bears traces of the old coal mines, which remained in operation until the early 20th century.
The route will take you along the banks of the "Rigole Alimentaire" (food canal), past the mine director's residence and its 300-year-old Lebanese cedar tree. From the village, you will enjoy a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside, which rises to an altitude of 55 metres.

Details

20539
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.74 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 42 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 40 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 59 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 21 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave your vehicle in the car park at the starting point near the "Rigole Alimentaire" in a place called Le Pâtis Blondin in the village of Pouvroux. The route you will be taking is marked in yellow in both directions and complies with FFRP standards.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the bridge over the canal and take the path on the right. When you reach a second bridge, cross it and turn left. Continue straight ahead.

(1) When you reach a road, turn right and head up towards the village of Plessis Martin. When you reach the village, take the first right and follow the paved path. Continue for 800 metres.

(2) When you reach the second right-hand bend, turn left onto the grassy path. You will see a coal deposit on the surface of the ground on your right. Once on the road, turn right and head up towards the village of Languin.
Take a short detour to the right beforehand to get a closer look at the mine director's residence and the 300-year-old Lebanese cedar tree (1723) that stands proudly in its garden.

(3) At the entrance to the village, take the first right and walk down the paved path for a few metres. Immediately turn left onto the small sunken path that winds through the fields. When you reach the new houses (Bel-Air), you will enjoy a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside. You will then be at an altitude of about 50 metres.

(4) When you reach the small hamlet of Bel-Air, continue straight ahead, taking the path in front of you. Further on, turn right to continue along the sunken lane.

(5) When you reach the road, turn right and head back to the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 23 m - Le Pâtis Blondin, car park
  2. 1 : km 1.08 - alt. 23 m - On the right-hand side of the road
  3. 2 : km 2.41 - alt. 48 m - On the left in the bend
  4. 3 : km 3.01 - alt. 59 m - On the right at the entrance to Languin
  5. 4 : km 3.64 - alt. 55 m - Straight ahead to Bel-Air
  6. 5 : km 4.57 - alt. 28 m - On the right-hand side of the road
  7. S/E : km 4.74 - alt. 23 m - Le Pâtis Blondin, car park

Notes

The following facilities are available near the route:

  • A public car park
  • A picnic area located in the village of Languin, next to a pond.

Worth a visit

Would you like to discover other coal mining sites?
Then follow the Coal Route that runs through our region.
The Basse-Loire coalfield, which stretches for 110 km, begins near Doué-la-Fontaine and ends at Nort-sur-Erdre.
The mining industry in the Ancenis region has a long history, intensifying between the 18th and 20th centuries, during which time it produced just over 2 million tonnes of coal.
The two concessions of Languin and Montrelais were the most important before the Revolution. In the following century, they were subdivided, giving rise to the mines of Les Touches and Mouzeil.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Arzaela
Arzaela

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

How idyllic!

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Sendero
Sendero
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very bucolic and shaded hike. It is particularly enjoyable in summer when it is hot.

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Rémi.BDT
Rémi.BDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short route through the countryside (very few roads and little traffic), pleasant surroundings, quiet, little elevation gain and accessible to all. Be aware that it can get a little muddy in wet weather. A lovely walk, I recommend it.

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Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very little tarmac, and with minimal traffic.

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Wolfie69
Wolfie69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A bit too much road for my liking. Easy and short hike. Beautiful scenery. Lovely Lebanese cedar tree. I'll do it again.
Corresponds to the walk signposted by the department
https://rando.loire-atlantique.fr/equest department...

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gautier thierry
gautier thierry

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

slight hesitation about the signage at the start of the route (car park?)
avoid in winter, or bring boots

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glaive44
glaive44

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The start panel is upside down on the track

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rigodon de le papinière
rigodon de le papinière

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

very muddy in winter, so wear good shoes or even boots after rain.
There are few roads, making it very pleasant and safe for children.
To appreciate the bocage, visit in spring or summer

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loloreline
loloreline

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Watch out for the hornet's nest at the start of the course near the second pond!
They are really very close (I will report it).

Otherwise, the route (when you're not on the road ) is really very nice to do

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Dessables
Dessables

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
in May, when the weather is overcast but clear, this walk is very pleasant, especially when following the banks of the irrigation channel. The outcrop of coal at one point along the route is surprising and explains the mining interest in this site in centuries past. Finally, it is not often that you get to see a magnificent cedar tree dating from 1723.

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korayoko
korayoko

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very beautiful walk. However, it would be useful to indicate whether it is accessible with a pushchair, as in this case, pushchair + muddy season made it quite challenging

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sarah44470
sarah44470

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk in the countryside . quite a workout with the pushchair, but it feels good!

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sokoban
sokoban

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A nice little hike. The part along the stream is the most interesting. Walk along the stream on the left to stay in the shade. At least in the afternoon in summer, because when the sun is strong, it can get quite hot!

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ClBG4244
ClBG4244

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant walk in the countryside, with little road traffic. It's a shame we didn't see the previous comments about the clearing, because it was indeed complicated, especially as our children were on bikes! For those who, like me, are hopeless at navigation, the route is signposted all the way, which is reassuring. Thank you to CCEG!

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Thess
Thess

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Everything was well signposted... and the walk was pleasant and peaceful. It must be delightful in summer!
Your advice was also very helpful... (Follow the other bank of the irrigation ditch during the clearing work).
Thank you

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