The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Ancenis

Located in Divatte-sur-Loire (in the former commune of La Chapelle-Basse-Mer), the Château de la Berrière stands on a platform surrounded by wide water-filled moats. Rebuilt in the Directoire style at the beginning of the 19th century after being burned down during the War in the Vendée, it has retained several remarkable old elements such as its outbuildings, its dovecote, and its chapel. Anchored in the heart of the Nantes vineyards, this historic estate is the subject of careful restoration and is sometimes opened to the public during cultural events.

Perched on a rocky promontory 70 meters above the river, the Champalud garden in Champtoceaux offers a spectacular 180-degree panorama of the Loire Valley and its islands. Classified since 1935 for the beauty of its site, this wooded area is a true haven of peace, ideal for contemplating the Loire landscapes after a series of climbs. It is also the essential starting point for superb walks to reach the vestiges of the old citadel and the paths below.

Small beach on Lake Vioreau. Numerous picnic tables in the shade of the trees. Restrooms with drinking water taps. An ideal spot for a break.

A former fortified city, the citadel of Châteauceaux was destroyed in 1420 by the Duke of Brittany. Only the two entrance towers and the ruins of the old stronghold remain. At the time, the citadel represented 2.5 times the surface area of the citadel of Carcassonne. https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_et_ville_close_de_Champtoceaux

Built around 1840, it was destroyed by fire in 1900. It is also known as "The Burnt Mill." From here, you can see the Erdre Valley and the Mazerolles marshes.

"In memory of the four resistance fighters killed while escaping from the moving train from Rennes, which was taking them to deportation on the night of August 3-4, 1944. Jean-Marie L'AZOU was wounded at this location and executed on the morning of August 4, 1944, at La Sigoulière. Marcel LE DROGOFF and Pierre GAUTHIER were killed after jumping from the same train; Robert THOUÉMENT was found dead in a field before Pas de Mail. Monument built by the inhabitants of the village of Basloirs in 1947 and renovated in 1969." In Saint-Mars-du-Désert, 31 prisoners managed to escape from two different train cars. Four lost their lives. Following the Allied landings, the Germans organized the evacuation of the Sainte-Marguerite camps and the Jacques-Cartier prison in Rennes. The last convoy, 54 cattle cars, left Rennes on the morning of August 3. Nearly 2,000 resistance fighters, men and women of French, English, and American nationality, along with German deserters, were taken to Germany. In the afternoon, the train stopped in Nantes, where railway workers managed to smuggle tools to the prisoners. The following night, as they approached Saint-Mars-du-Désert, 31 prisoners managed to jump from the train... But a German patrol was stopped at the next level crossing... https://fr.geneawiki.com/wiki/44179_-_Saint-Mars-du-D%C3%A9sert_-_La_Nuit_du_3_au_4_ao%C3%BBt_1944

Ruins of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste priory, belonging to the Marmoutier abbey, created in the 11th century The ruins visible on the site date from the modifications carried out in the 15th century; the priory collected rights on the mills and tolls on the Loire. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste Priory was burned down by the infernal columns in March 1794.

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