The Circuit des Arcades of the Rigole de Vioreau canal

Discover an unusual trail, following the banks of "La Rigole Alimentaire”, a small canal feeding into Vioreau Pond. The canal crosses the valley of the Erdre thanks to four aqueducts with eight to ten arches and travels underground over 600 m. It is, moreover, spanned by many picturesque stone bridges... During your walk you can admire the Castle of La Lucinière and the wooded area on the other side of the Valley of Erdre.

Technical sheet

20538
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 52 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 52 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 45 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 11 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave your car at the starting point car park near the RD69. The route you will take is signposted in both directions in yellow according to the standards of the FFRP.

(S/F) Facing the sign at the start, turn left and walk along the small canal for a few metres. At the road, turn immediately right towards the village of La Belletière.

As soon as you arrive in the village, take the lane opposite before the bend in the road. Continue straight for 300 m to reach the RD69 and the village of La Marchanderie. At the intersection, turn left and go straight for 200 metres walking on the left side of the RD69 (take care).

At the end of the village (1) take the path on your right and continue straight. You pass under the arches called Pre Boursier. In a loop on the right (2), reach the small canal.

Arrive at the canal, cross the bridge and take the path in front of you. At the end of the path (3), turn left and then take the next right. Continue on the road for about 600 m. On your right you see the Castle of La Lucinière and its woodlands on the other side of the Valley of Erdre.

Then take the path down to the canal on the right. Reach the canal (4), turn left and continue straight. You will pass over the arches of Gué de la Roche. Just before the next bridge over the canal (5) turn right and join the road by the opening in the hedge. Take another right and head down to the Erdre River.

At the end of the road, turn right and you will be back at the arches (picnic area nearby). Arrive at the arches, take an immediate right and go up the steep path. At the top, turn left and turn back in the opposite direction.

Continue straight ahead along the small canal. Go to the hamlet of La Rivière aux Simons (6), then the arcades called the Pré Boursier. A little further on, note in against the bottom of the canal on the left the Quiquengrogne water mill. Then cross the RD69 (7) (be careful) and reach the starting point (S/F) by heading along the canal again.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 22 m - Belletière car park
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 44 m - La Marchanderie
  3. 2 : km 1.65 - alt. 16 m - Junction to feed channel
  4. 3 : km 2.01 - alt. 33 m - Route
  5. 4 : km 3.08 - alt. 22 m - Food Gutter
  6. 5 : km 4.17 - alt. 22 m - Road junction
  7. 6 : km 5.78 - alt. 22 m - La Rivière aux Simons
  8. 7 : km 7.17 - alt. 21 m - Quiquengrogne - Erdre (rivière)
  9. 8 : km 7.55 - alt. 22 m - Crossing the RD69
  10. S/E : km 7.72 - alt. 22 m - Belletière car park

Practical information

The following facilities are available around the circuit:
- Three public car parks are available along the route: from a point of the circuit at the village of La Belletière, another at a place called La Rivière Simon and the last at a place called Le Vieil Essart.
- Two picnic areas: one located at the starting point and the other at the foot of Gué de la Roche arches.

In the nearby area

Also named "Petit Canal", the canal connects Lake Vioreau to the Nantes-Brest canal at the "Pas d'Héric” lock. It supplies water to the first section of the canal to offset the level of decline due to lockage and evaporation during the summer. Its construction is a technical masterpiece, with a gradient of only 14 cm per kilometre along its 21.3 km!

Vault village is located a few hundred metres from the starting point and offers several services and outdoor activities:
- Picnic area
- Toilets and public showers
- Lodgings (groups and individuals)
- Canoe/kayak hire

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 42 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Sylvie44
Sylvie44

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant stroll through the countryside in April

Automatically translated

vivi 31
vivi 31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A bit muddy unfortunately in this rainy winter, but overall a pleasant and interesting route to discover the feeder stream of the Nantes-Brest canal.

Automatically translated

Marineavt
Marineavt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk, done during the week, so alone on the circuit. Easily done in 2 hours with children.

Automatically translated

ERDRE CANAL FORET
ERDRE CANAL FORET

Thank you for your opinion and invaluable advice. The aqueducts need to be crossed with care. The arches are impressive, and it is possible to walk under them, in which case good shoes are also advisable to avoid slipping. Children must of course be supervised by adults... We have a number of tours to offer in Erdre Canal Foret, so don't hesitate to ask at our tourist offices.

Automatically translated

DaDoRando14
DaDoRando14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very interesting rands. Note that for people prone to vertigo, the passage of aqueducts can pose a problem and that also, in the same places, with young children, vigilance is required.

Automatically translated

Patrick  443
Patrick 443

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely walk that's easy to follow.

Automatically translated

Bocsozel
Bocsozel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a pleasant walk, and at this time of year the view is very clear, allowing you to see many more points of interest.

Automatically translated

youteam
youteam

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The route is pleasant because it is wooded, but it is monotonous. The aqueducts are a point of interest.

Automatically translated

ERDRE CANAL FORET
ERDRE CANAL FORET

Thank you for your opinion. This trail is very pleasant and will soon be even longer (21 km), joining the Etang de Vioreau at Joué-sur-Erdre.

Automatically translated

AIRBUS2016a
AIRBUS2016a

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant circuit in the shade.

Automatically translated

glaive44
glaive44

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very shady

Automatically translated

MICHAUX
MICHAUX

Many thanks
Have a nice day

Automatically translated

ERDRE CANAL FORET
ERDRE CANAL FORET

Hello
I've just posted a photo of the Belletière car park, so that you can find the start sign and follow this route.
Sincerely

Automatically translated

MICHAUX
MICHAUX

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Good description of the tour, but it was very difficult to identify the starting point on site. I would like to see more photos.

Automatically translated

TVCG
TVCG

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Pleasant route, but some sections are muddy in winter, so bring suitable footwear.

Automatically translated

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.