From the Citadel to the Loire, starting from Champalud

Follow the white markings

Motorhome parking near the start of the walk.

Park in the car park at the Champtoceaux Tourist Office, located at Champalud.

(S/E) Head towards the viewpoint, then follow the signposted path running parallel to Rue de Bretagne, which branches off to the right, until you reach an underpass crossing the road.

(1) Follow the Coulée de la Luce path, making sure to close the gates behind you. At the exit of the Coulée de la Luce, turn right and head towards the village of La Patache. Keep left along the Loire on two occasions to reach the edge of the village. 

(2) Carry on until you reach La Marionnière.

(3) Turn left. Cross the bridge and carry on straight ahead until you reach some meadows. Follow the path, keeping to the right along the Loire, taking care not to open any gates and to keep your dogs on a lead. At the road, turn left towards La Rompure.

(4) When you reach La Boire de la Rompure, turn right to follow the poplar-lined avenue. At the crossroads, go straight on towards Les Greliers.

(5) Cross the county road with care. Follow the tarmac road to the Domaine des Galloires. Turn right and take the path through the vineyard until you reach a Fork in the road.

(6) Head down towards the woods, following the white markings. Cross the Ruisseau de la Champenière via the footbridge and continue along the path that runs alongside the stream and the meadows. You’ll arrive at La Gautellerie.

(7) Turn left, then immediately right, to reach Les Terrinières. Turn right, then left, and take the Chemin des Baudries on the left to reach Le Haut Quartron.

(8) Take the road on the left, then turn right onto the Chemin de la Bretèche. At the end of the path, turn right, then left to rejoin the Route de la Gagnerie.

(9) Head towards the Champ de Bataille playground, continuing straight on and crossing Avenue d’Anjou. Walk round the playground and head towards Rue du Champ de Bataille on your left.

(10) Then turn right and carry on straight ahead. Cross Avenue des Sept Moulins and continue along Rue du Petit Saint-Jean until it ends.

(11) At the end of the street, first turn right then left to cross Rue Jean V. Turn right onto Chemin du Voinard. After the secondary school, keep left, then immediately turn right until you reach the start of the climb to the citadel.

(12) Walk up to the ruins of the citadel. Go round to the right and return to the road.

(12) Continue to the right along Chemin du Voinard. At La Bonde, turn right towards the bridge and the sewage treatment works.

(13) At the sewage treatment works, take the path on the left. Follow it to the right-angled bend which takes you, on the right, under the bridge. Carry on straight ahead to reach the Moulin Pendu.                                                                 

(14) Follow the path through the woods, then turn right onto the county road.

(15) Cross the county road with care and take the path running alongside the embankment, slightly to your left (Chemin du Port Neuf). When you reach Place des Piliers, turn left onto Rue Hippolyte Maindron and continue to the restaurant La Citadelle. Then turn left. You have arrived at Le Champalud (S/E).

(S/E) Tourist Office

After (S/E): a promontory with panoramic views 70 metres above the Loire; the Champalud Gardens have been listed since 1937.
(1): Coulée de la Luce, offering a bird’s-eye view of the Loire.
(2): the village of the Patache boatmen; stroll through its narrow, old-world streets.
Above the (12): the ruins of the Citadel of Champtoceaux
(14): the hamlet of Cul du Moulin, home to a 12th-century hanging mill.