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France
Pays de la Loire
Nantes

La Planche

The best gravel rides around La Planche

3.7

(5)

64

riders

22

rides

Gravel biking around La Planche offers a diverse landscape characterized by rolling hills, agricultural fields, and tranquil river valleys. The region features a mix of paved country roads and unpaved paths, providing varied terrain for gravel cyclists. Riders can expect routes that traverse open countryside, pass through small villages, and follow waterways, with gentle elevation changes.

Best gravel bike trails around La Planche

  • The most popular gravel bike trail is Montaigu Castle – The Rousselin mill loop from Montaigu Vendée

Last updated: May 16, 2026

11

riders

#1.

Picture frame by Emmanuel Ritz – Porte-Vue by Emmanuel Ritz loop from Château-Thébaud

55.1km

03:40

350m

350m

Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

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Hard

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Hard
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Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Moderate

Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

Hard

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Moderate
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Tips from the Community

Fred
September 21, 2025, Eglise de St Georges

19th century church whose unfinished bell tower was topped with a slate spire which clashes a little - a lot - with the rest of the monument.

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NikaOffGrid
August 20, 2025, Bank

Unfortunately signs that camping is prohibited

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The last remaining witness to the region's papermaking industry, the association "Pour les arts graphiques en Vallée de Clisson" (For Graphic Arts in the Clisson Valley) has been working with local authorities since 1998 to revive the 19th-century papermaking industry at Le Liveau in Gorges. The Moulin du Liveau is a superb example of the region's Italianate architecture. With the active support of local authorities, the mill, owned by the municipality of Gorges, was restored to its original purpose as a paper mill. This magnificent site on the Sèvre Nantaise River in the Clisson Valley opened to the public in spring 2015. MORE THAN A MUSEUM, IT'S A LIVING WORKSHOP The association "Pour les arts graphiques en Vallée de Clisson" offers activities centered around the history and manufacture of paper. Children and adults alike can discover the mechanisms of the paper mill, handcraft their own sheets of paper, and learn about printing. An informative journey through history, accompanied by the ever-present pleasure of playfully recreating the gestures of the past. Inside, a hammer mill powered by a paddle wheel driven by the Sèvre River evokes the preparation of paper pulp from rags. Visitors can also practice calligraphy, participate in writing workshops, take bookbinding courses, and enjoy many other activities.

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The Liveau Paper Mill in Gorges in the Clisson Valley (Loire Atlantique, 44) offers guided tours, educational outings, group visits to the paper mill, papermaking workshops, events, and exhibitions. The mill welcomes you south of Nantes and also offers a shop with a wide selection of paper, stationery, and books. The Liveau Paper Mill is located in Loire-Atlantique, in Gorges on the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise. Two flour mills, one on the right bank, the other on the left bank, made up the Liveau hydraulic site, first mentioned in 1407. Until 1561, it was owned by the lords of Clisson. • 1826, transformation of the right bank mill into a paper mill, a more prosperous activity at that time, and construction of the drying rack (drying rack), marked in its architecture by the strong Italian influence prevalent at that time in the canton of Clisson. • 1827: Papermaking begins at the mill. It produces "large gray paper" or "envelope paper" (wrapping paper) sold to the sugar refineries of Nantes. • 1850: Papermaking ends. • 1851 to 1952: Milling resumes. • 2001: The municipality of Gorges acquires the abandoned mill. • 2004: The "Pour les arts graphiques en vallée de Clisson" association wins first prize from the Fondation du Patrimoine for its project to rehabilitate and promote the Moulin du Liveau, with the support of Gorges elected officials and the Clisson Valley community of municipalities. • 2006: The Fondation du Patrimoine approves the project and brings in financial partners. • 2008-2009: Airtight and watertight construction of the buildings (mill and dryer), half of which was financed by the Total Foundation. Additional funding was provided by the Fondation du Patrimoine, the Crédit Agricole Foundation, parliamentary funds, the Pays de Loire Regional Council, the Loire-Atlantique General Council, the Clisson Valley Community of Communes, the municipality of Gorges, and various private funds. . 2014: Rehabilitation work in preparation for an artisanal papermaking activity, for cultural and tourist purposes. • April 2015: The Liveau paper mill in Gorges welcomes its first visitors.

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The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is Gothic in style and features an imposing façade. It is built of stone and features ornate carved details. The façade features a richly decorated main portal, adorned with statues, reliefs, or architectural motifs. Inside the church, you will find a spacious, vaulted main nave supported by pillars or columns. The vaults feature decorative star and ribbed motifs typical of Gothic architecture. Restored over a period of five years, the interior of the building now reveals warm colors ranging from yellow to pinkish-red. Colored stained-glass windows are also a characteristic feature of Gothic churches, and the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste has magnificent stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes and saints. In summary, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Montaigu is an example of Gothic architecture with an imposing façade and decorative elements. It houses side chapels, a choir, a main altar, and colorful stained-glass windows. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it is also an active place of worship and a significant historical landmark for the local community. The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Montaigu has a rich history dating back several centuries. Here is a brief overview of its history: The original church in Montaigu was built in the 11th century, but little information is available about this early structure. Over the following centuries, the church underwent alterations and expansions, reflecting changing architectural styles. In the 14th century, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style, with a spacious main nave, elegant vaults, and carved details. Construction was completed in the 15th century, giving the church its current appearance. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the Church of Saint John the Baptist was used for secular purposes. It was converted into a community hall and suffered significant damage, including the destruction of decorative and religious elements. After the Revolution, the church was gradually restored and returned to worship. Repair and renovation work was undertaken to restore damaged architectural features. Over the years, modifications and improvements were made to the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Side chapels were added, stained-glass windows were installed, and religious ornaments were restored. Today, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is an active place of worship for the Catholic community of Montaigu. It is also a tourist and cultural attraction, attracting visitors with its Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows, and history. Religious events, ceremonies, and concerts are regularly held there.

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. Originally, there was an ovoid-shaped enclosure flanked by about ten towers and a gatehouse, located to the northeast. The fortified town was located to the north of the fortress and extended a little to the east. A dry moat separated the fortified town from the fortress. A barbican protected the gatehouse. A Romanesque keep of the Niort type, with its courtyard and small enclosure, was located in the castle courtyard, roughly in the middle in the north-south direction and located to the west. The fortified city extended from the rue de Gaulle, a gate was located at the level of the Carré de l'Europe (the porte de Nantes), then the ramparts continued along the rue de la Place du Champ de Foire, then went back down the Esplanade des Olivettes, where a gate was located towards the roundabout of the rue des Jardins (porte de Tiffauges) then the ramparts ran along the Asson to go up the rue du Pont Jarlet and around the barbican not far from the Presbytery The dry moats surrounding the city were 16 meters deep in the 15th century, today they are flowered and are the subject of different colored squares decorating this part of the ramparts.

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In the 9th century, a castrum, a wooden castle built on a mound of earth, was built to counter the Viking raids that had previously sacked the city of Durivum (Saint-Georges-de-Montaigu). For strategic reasons, this fortress was built on a rocky spur at the junction between the Maine and Asson rivers. Maurice I of Montaigu, the first known lord, witnessed the consecration of the church of Saint-Nicolas de la Chaize-le-Vicomte in 1099. His successor until 1174 was Brient I of Commequiers, married to his daughter, Agathe de Montaigu. Later, his grandchildren, Brient II, Maurice II "the Younger," and Marguerite, succeeded him. It was perhaps this Brient II who had the Romanesque keep built in 1218, a large square tower with flat corner towers. He also removed the wooden palisade, replacing it with a wide moat extending to the Saint-Georges Gate. The Montagues (also known as Belleville by marriage around 1180) pledged allegiance to the Plantagenets, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, and John Lackland. Margaret of Belleville-Montaigu, daughter of Brient de Montaigu and Agnes de Belleville, granddaughter of Maurice I de Montaigu, sister of Maurice II de Belleville-Montaigu, married Hugh of Thouars in 1203. In 1227, the couple submitted to Philip Augustus through the ceremony of homage. Hugh of Thouars died in 1229, and Margaret remarried in 1235 to the Duke of Brittany, Mauclerc, whose real name was Pierre de Dreux. Marguerite de Montaigu died in 1241, childless. The lordship of Montaigu fell to her nephew, Maurice III de Belleville-Montaigu (d. c. 1297; son of Maurice II). He became lord of Montaigu upon the death of Mauclerc in 1250[2], and his son Maurice IV (d. c. 1292) ensured the succession through his children Jeanne (d. 1284 Geoffroy II David de La Flocellière) and Maurice V de Belleville-Montaigu (he married 1° Sibylle, daughter of Geoffroy VI de Châteaubriant, then 2° Isabelle/Létice de Parthenay, daughter of Guillaume V Larchevêque de Parthenay). Jeanne de Belleville (c. 1300-c. 1359), daughter of Maurice V of Montaigu and Létice of Parthenay, married Olivier IV of Clisson for the second time in 1328. Olivier IV was executed by beheading after being suspected of "felony" against the English, during the Hundred Years' War. Jeanne became a privateer with her children Olivier V and Jeanne de Clisson, in revenge, and was banished from the kingdom of France. While she attacked French ships, the fortress of Montaigu was held by the English, according to the Treaty of Brétigny-Calais, a garrison of which engaged in pillaging the surrounding area. Jeanne lost her ship and withdrew with her children to England. Olivier V, having grown up, rallied to the king of France, recovered his property in 1362 and fought the English with Bertrand du Guesclin. In 1373, Olivier and Bertrand succeeded in driving the English out of Montaigu, and Olivier ceded the lordship to his sister Jeanne, who had married an English captain, Jean Harpedenne. The latter sided with the King of France in 1373 and became Jean de Belleville. His grandson, Jean III, married Charles VII's half-sister, Marguerite de Valois, in 1433. Louis I de Belleville succeeded Jean III. King Louis XI advised him to fortify the town between 1464 and 1468 to protect it from the Bretons.

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The church of Saint-Georges-de-Montaigu, in Vendée, Pays de la Loire, is part of the parish of Saint Martin de Montaigu in the deanery of Montaigu in the diocese of Luçon. In many regions, Saint George is considered the patron saint of knights, particularly thanks to the legend recounting his miraculous intervention in Antioch during the First Crusade. June 15, 2012

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many gravel bike trails are available around La Planche?

There are over 30 gravel bike trails around La Planche, offering a variety of experiences for different skill levels. You'll find everything from easy loops to more challenging long-distance routes.

What kind of terrain can I expect on gravel bike trails around La Planche?

Gravel biking around La Planche features a diverse landscape of rolling hills, agricultural fields, and tranquil river valleys. Routes often combine paved country roads with unpaved paths, traversing open countryside, passing through small villages, and following waterways, generally with gentle elevation changes.

Are there any family-friendly gravel biking options in La Planche?

Yes, La Planche offers several routes suitable for families. For an easier ride, consider the Chemin de Notre-Dame – La Vierge de la Lande loop from Geneston, which is 13.1 miles (21.1 km) long and leads through rural landscapes and quiet roads, typically completed in about 1 hour 19 minutes.

What are some of the more challenging gravel routes in the area?

For a more demanding ride, the Montaigu Castle – The Rousselin mill loop from Montaigu Vendée is a difficult 40.5 miles (65.2 km) trail with significant elevation gain through varied terrain. Another challenging option is the Montaigu Castle – Bultière Dam loop from Montaigu Vendée, covering 45.9 miles (73.9 km) with notable ascents.

What do other gravel bikers enjoy most about the trails in La Planche?

The gravel routes in La Planche are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.3 stars. Riders often praise the balanced mix of open fields and scenic stretches along the Vendée river, as well as the quiet village roads and varied terrain that cater to different ability levels.

Are there any circular gravel bike routes available?

Many of the gravel bike trails around La Planche are designed as loops. Examples include the Montaigu Castle – The Rousselin mill loop from Montaigu Vendée and the Le Moulin Gros – Vendée vélo loop from Montaigu Vendée, both offering a complete circuit back to your starting point.

What interesting landmarks or attractions can I see along the gravel bike trails?

As you explore the gravel trails, you can discover several points of interest. Near Montaigu, you might pass by Montaigu Castle. Other notable sights in the wider region include The Old Bridge of Rocheservière and the Reuzard mill and footbridge.

What is the best time of year to go gravel biking in La Planche?

Given the region's characteristics of rolling hills and agricultural fields, spring and autumn are generally ideal for gravel biking in La Planche. The weather is typically milder, and the natural scenery is vibrant, making for comfortable and picturesque rides. Summer can also be pleasant, but be prepared for warmer temperatures.

Are there options for shorter gravel rides for beginners?

Absolutely. For those looking for an easier or shorter introduction to gravel biking, the Chemin de Notre-Dame – La Vierge de la Lande loop from Geneston is a great choice. It's an easy 13.1 miles (21.1 km) route, perfect for beginners or a quick outing.

Where can I find parking for gravel biking routes in La Planche?

Many routes, especially those starting from towns like Montaigu Vendée or Geneston, typically have public parking available near the trailheads or in the town centers. It's advisable to check local parking options for your chosen starting point before your ride.

Are there any routes that follow waterways or rivers?

Yes, several routes in La Planche feature scenic stretches along waterways. For instance, the Le Moulin Gros – Vendée vélo loop from Montaigu Vendée offers a balanced mix of open fields and picturesque sections along the Vendée river, providing a refreshing element to your ride.

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