Short route of the Monnières mills

Park near the bridge over the Sèvre Nantaise, on the upstream side, almost directly beneath the road.

(S/E) Take the path that passes under the bridge, walk up through the vineyards for about a hundred metres, turn right and continue to a wooded area. Turn left to avoid the landslide on the banks of the Sèvre, continue for about a hundred metres and go down the path leading to the sports ground.

(1) Head up to the left, pass the remains of a mill to reach the Route du Moulin de la Bidière. First turn right then left to pass close to the Moulin de la Justice and continue straight down to a small road. Follow the road to the left towards La Maisdonnière.

(2) At the^first left-hand bend, leave the road and take a path on the right. At the Fork in the road that appears shortly afterwards, turn left. At the next junction (marker 41), go straight on to join the D7.

(3) Follow it to the left for 40 metres, then cross it carefully to take a path on the other side. At the next junction, turn left along the ditch. After a good fifty metres, turn right. At the T-junction, turn left onto the path leading back to the village of Monnières.

(4) Follow the street to the right. At the end, turn left. At the T-junction that appears immediately, turn right onto Rue de la Mairie and head up to the cemetery. Go down the steps on the left and head back up between the sports facilities. Turn right onto Rue des Quarterons and then immediately left, heading up through the vineyards to a junction.

(5) Turn left and head north through the vineyards.

(6) You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the right. Walk downhill through the village of Les Loges. Continue to the bottom to rejoin a footpath.

(7) Continue along this shaded path, which takes you back towards the Sèvre Nantaise. At the hamlet of La Moinerie, turn right between the old buildings (take a momentto admire these surrounding buildings, which bear witness to a history where trade – including the export of wine to Nantes and England – provided a comfortable livelihood). You’ll soon reach the bridge over the Sèvre on your right (S/E).

No water source at the start: make sure you stock up beforehand.

Outdoor toilets.

Not recommended in winter in wet weather.

Photos under the bridge and towards the Moulin des Ratelles.

From spring onwards, the vineyards are magnificent.

After passing the D7, look to your right for the Moulin de la Minière, which forms part of a much longer route but offers splendid views.

If possible, visit the 12th-century church.