From the Èvre to the Loire via Saint-Florent-le-Vieil

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The River Èvre, which crosses the Pays des Mauges diagonally, joins the Loire at Notre-Dame du Marillais (Saint-Florent-le-Vieil), the starting point of the walk. The walk follows the Èvre at the start and joins the Loire in its final section, following part ofthe GR®3.

Details

n°19070121
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.29 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 62 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 62 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 105 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 26 ft
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Photos

Sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Marillais
Croix de Navarre Nouvelle

Description of the walk

Notre-Dame du Marillais car park.

(S/E) Head west-south-west towards Le Marillais and cross the bridge over the Èvre.

(1) Just off the bridge, take the path on the left. Follow the Èvre to reach the hamlet of Les Brosses.

(2) Cross the road and first turn right then left to take the path leading to Clos de la Lande.

(3) Turn left, then take the second path on the right (Chemin des Potiers) which passes in front of the Navarre cross.

(4) Cross the road and follow theGR®3to a path on the right (shortcut available: see Practical Information).

(5) Leave theGR®3and continue right onto the dirt track. Cross a road and continue straight on until you reach the D571.

(6) Cross it carefully and continue straight ahead. At the next junction, continue straight on until you reach another road (shortcut in the practical information).

(7) Follow the road to the left and then take the first road on the right, which leads to the Loire.

(9) Follow the path to the right that runs alongside the river. Walk for a long stretch along the banks of the Loire until you reach the steps leading up to the bridge you crossed on the way there.

(1) Cross the bridge over the Evre again and continue straight on to the car park at Notre-Dame du Marillais (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 43 ft - Car park at - Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Marillais ( Saint-Florent-le-Vieil)
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 49 ft - Croix de Pichon - barrage sur l'èvre pour moulin à eau
  3. 2 : mi 1.13 - alt. 85 ft - Les Brosses
  4. 3 : mi 1.34 - alt. 85 ft - Le Clos de Landes
  5. 4 : mi 2.43 - alt. 105 ft - Crossing the road
  6. 5 : mi 3.02 - alt. 92 ft - Start of path - Leave the GR3
  7. 6 : mi 3.95 - alt. 85 ft - Crossing the D571
  8. 7 : mi 4.41 - alt. 33 ft - Route (Le Busteau)
  9. 8 : mi 4.72 - alt. 33 ft - Le Trou Heurteau
  10. 9 : mi 5.12 - alt. 33 ft - Loire Valley GR3
  11. S/E : mi 7.29 - alt. 43 ft - Car park at - Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Marillais ( Saint-Florent-le-Vieil)

Notes

Toilets available at the start car park.

Summary of possible distances:

Short 9 km option: (4) take the shortcut to the right towards (6).
10 km option: follow the road to the right and take the first path on the left towards the then turn right.
11 km option: D-1-2-3-5-6-8-9-10-A (excluding the Lande du Coudray circular route) (S/E) to (4) + to (S/E).

Worth a visit

Sanctuary of Notre Dame du Marillais (open to visitors)
A place of pilgrimage and devotion since the Middle Ages, this sanctuary is situated a stone’s throw from the River Èvre and a few metres from the Loire, between Saint-Florent-le-Vieil and Le Marillais, on the Loire à Vélo cycle route.
A place of pilgrimage since the apparition of the Virgin to Saint Maurille, the old chapel has been replaced by a sanctuary of majestic proportions, built between 1890 and 1913 by the architect Beignet.
The Cross of Navarre
Around 1860, a young farmhand at the Pionnière farm pruned a pollarded ash tree into the shape of a cross (see photos). Destroyed by a storm in 2010, it was replaced by a young ash tree trained in the same way.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
chelde
chelde

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, starting along the Evre and then following the banks of the Loire – peaceful and a real change of scenery. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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Jacques L
Jacques L

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Along the Loire, the views are often obscured by the riverside woodland.

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MORILLE JP
MORILLE JP

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A hike with plenty of trails.
Limited views of the Loire in summer; winter might be better.

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Pouvreau
Pouvreau

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

An easy walk, but a bit too much driving.

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Yves JOZEFIAK
Yves JOZEFIAK

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along the Loire and then the Evre. Very pleasant.

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Petipas
Petipas

Hello,
Please note that the car park at Notre Dame du Marillais (in front of the chapel) is reserved for the Sanctuary on Sundays and religious holidays.
This route is not signposted and can be considered a variation of the “Evre et Loire” route.
Petipas

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