Savennières walks

From hillsides to valleys to the banks of the Loire. A beautiful walk punctuated by a rich landscape, natural and architectural heritage.

Short hike starting from Épiré, through the countryside and vineyards of Savennières, then back along the Loire. There are a few steep ascents and descents, so make sure you wear good shoes.

This is a very varied walk that will take you close to the racecourse (even better on a race day), through the hamlet of Les Lombardières with its old fishermen's and sailors' houses, then through the charming village of Savennières and its vineyards perched on the hillsides, and finally to Béhuard, a very pretty little village with its small church clinging to the rock. Some sections are the same on the way there and back, but this is necessary due to the river crossings and the railway line.

A family-friendly circular walk, starting from the village of Rochefort-sur-Loire, which is pleasant and offers some lovely views. Perfect for a moderately challenging outing in a short space of time. No real technical difficulty apart from one or two climbs that will need to be tackled on foot and some pleasant descents over pebbles.

A pleasant little walk through the undergrowth and shaded paths around Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux.

Set off along the rural paths on the land between the estates of the châteaux of Serrant and Chevigné. Starting from the Benet Fountain to the east of the village, you will walk past farms with evocative names (Chèvre Pendue, Beauchêne) to reach the Chevigné Pond, a vast body of water that is home to many rare and even endangered bird species and is classified as a Sensitive Natural Area.

A lovely walk along pleasant paths. Must-sees: panoramic views, vineyards, the beautiful village of Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, La Tranchée and the Malécots Mine, the village of La Haie Longue, the Sainte-Barbe-des-Mines Chapel… A lovely day out in store. Suitable for all seasons (unless the Layon river bursts its banks).

This circular route allows you to stroll through the streets of the Nisvelle neighbourhood. Discover which Saint-Georges personalities are hidden behind the street name plaques. The neighbourhood gives pride of place to former mayors and elected officials of the commune. You will walk along the Serrant Stream, which feeds the Arrouët Pond, where you can enjoy a break at one of the tables or work out at the sports facilities!

This looped circuit, accessible to all, allows you to discover the landscapes and built heritage of the banks and hillsides of the Aubance in the commune of Mûrs-Érigné. The Aubance is a winding river hidden behind dense vegetation. At a place called "La Chaussée", a statue of the Virgin Mary can be seen before you walk along the wooded foothills of the hillsides near Les Gilardières. Discovering the hamlets of Gaigné, Petit Claye and Grand Claye allows you to appreciate the local heritage (beautiful buildings, chapel). Passing near the village of Mûrs, you can see the sensitive natural area of the Aubance loops, whose biodiversity is protected by the municipality of Mûrs-Érigné and the Layon Aubance Louet Association. This wetland is a reservoir of biodiversity whose various ecological functions are essential to the region.

This circular route allows you to visit three of the five castles in the commune, all of which are now privately owned. Rural paths will take you through natural areas of ecological interest along two streams to the highest points offering panoramic views of the Loire Valley. Along the trails, you may come across the route taken by storks that have settled in the marshy areas near the hamlet of Éculard.

This circular route allows you to reach the Loire from the village of Saint-Georges-sur-Loire. You will pass through hamlets in the Saint-Georges countryside. The station district was very active during the19th century. You will reach Port Girault and its slipway on the Grand Bras de la Loire, historically the main branch of the river. On the way back, you will pass through Éculard, where there is a beautiful18th-century mansion.

This circular route will take you around the village of Saint-Georges, alternating between natural areas and different neighbourhoods through squares and alleys. After the Benet Fountain, on the edge of the Murie business park, you will discover the silkworm farm, a testament tothe 19th century. Since the 1970s, the village has undergone rapid development and urbanisation. Discover its housing estates: Nisvelle, Les Sources, La Salle, La Croix Clet, Gravereuil...

Discover the Layon, the surrounding vineyards and an episode from the Vendée wars.

This is the third stage of a cycle tour in southern Anjou. The route first follows the Layon between Beaulieu and Faye d'Anjou, then heads towards Brissac-Quincé through forests and vineyards. Leaving the imposing castle behind, you then join the string of villages that line the Loire, before descending to Les Ponts-de-Cé. Crossing the river marks the end of the vineyards and the entrance to the Angers conurbation, the end of the three-day journey.

Discover a magnificent, rugged landscape with exceptional panoramic views and a wealth of flora and fauna all along the Layon. You are in the Coteaux du Pont-Barré Nature Reserve and among the vineyards of the Layon hillsides of Saint-Lambert du Lattay. Discover Pont-Barré, famous for the victory of the Vendéens against the Republicans on 18 and 19 September 1793.

A superb hike on the slopes of Layon, among the vineyards, between Louet and Layon. This hike follows theGR®3trail, which is very well marked in red and white.

This circular route takes you from the Salle housing estate, built in the 1970s, to the brand new Croix Clet housing estate. Starting from the beautiful shaded areas of the Étang de la Salle and the banks of the Ruisseau de la Douinière, you will cross the pleasant gardens of the Guinguette before walking along the new paths, whose names highlight remarkable women from the commune.

Hike through the Baumette floodplains, leading to the confluence of the Loire and Maine rivers. N.B. This hike is only possible during low water periods, from May to October-November. In any case, check in advance.

Hike around Pruniers with a section along the banks of the Maine and a viewpoint over Angers at the promontory. This is followed by a walk through the village to discover the different periods of construction and, at the end of the route, a path through the countryside.

A pleasant walk, starting from Beaulieu-sur-Layon, heading towards the Beaulieu Forest. Along the way, discover the Château de l’Orée. In the forest, the route follows various types of paths, from a wide avenue to a narrow track. The rest of the route offers breathtaking views of the Layon hillsides as it descends to the village of Rablay-sur-Layon via the steep Sillanderie path. On the way back to Beaulieu-sur-Layon, the route passes the Château de la Mulonnière, then takes the Rue du Moulin des Cinq, which offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

A lovely walk alternating between streams, vineyards, hillsides and historical discoveries. It's also a great way to learn interesting facts about the vineyard thanks to the information boards dotted along part of the route. The route is marked in yellow by the Communauté de Communes des Coteaux du Layon, which offers this circuit.

Discover two natural areas in the centre of Angers. The first is a larger lake with a leisure centre, and the second is a wilder pond. Both are beautiful places to encounter the flora and fauna of Angers. This walk is not possible during periods of high water.

A short walk alternating between urban areas, country roads and footpaths.

Just a stone’s throw from Angers city centre, Lac de Maine is a 200-hectare green lung. In June 2020, a groundbreaking initiative was launched to rethink the site, with the aim of improving clarity between the different areas and prioritising their uses. The project is due to be completed in 2026. This walk allows you to discover both the Maine and Lac de Maine, whilst enjoying their new enhancements.

A pleasant walk in Parc Saint-Nicolas in Angers. Suitable for families. This walk offers the chance to see grey herons, ducks and several species of birds.

The first stage of the cycle loop in the Anjou vineyards, this route joins the Loire, first following the Maine to its confluence, then running alongside the river, passing under the Savennières vineyards. A short stop in Béhuard is a must to discover this unique place, then return to the north bank to Port Giraud, where you cross one of the branches of the Loire to take the small roads of the Île de Chalonnes and reach Montjean-sur-Loire, the end of this first day.

This loop offers a chance to discover the rivers that flow through the south of Angers, and the vineyards that have colonised the area. In three stages, starting in Angers, you first travel down the Maine as far as Bouchemaine, then follow the north bank of the Loire, with an incursion onto the island of Béhuard. The first stage ends at Montjean-sur-Loire, on the back roads around the island of Chalonnes. The next day, the route heads for Chalonnes-sur-Loire and the Corniche Angevine before descending to the Layon. Stop off at Beaulieu-sur-Layon. Finally, we follow the Layon again as far as Faye d'Anjou. After the Layon hillsides, you enter the Aubence hillsides, whose wines are no less renowned. After Brissac-Quincé and its astonishing château, you return to the Loire, passing through the villages along its banks until you reach Les Ponts-de-Cé. Crossing over to the north bank, we leave the vineyards for Angers, which we return to after three busy days.

Angers is a city in western France, situated beside the Maine River, on the outskirts of the Loire Valley. The medieval seat of the Plantagenet dynasty, it boasts an old town featuring half-timbered houses, such as the superb Maison d’Adam (built around 1500). Saint-Maurice Cathedral, on the central Place Sainte-Croix, boasts two 75-metre-high towers and magnificent pink stained-glass windows. In the more recent urban areas, a café culture is flourishing.

Two hours to discover the centre of Angers by walking around it!