The best walks and hikes around Loireauxence

In this house, the Vendée general Charles de Bonchamps died of his war wounds at the age of 33, on October 18, 1793, after having pardoned 5000 republican prisoners held in Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.

Beautiful view of the Loire from the heights of the old quarry

Located in the Mauges region (Maine-et-Loire), the Èvre River rises in the commune of Vezins, about twelve kilometers northeast of Cholet. It flows into the Loire (left bank) a little downstream from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Its total length is 91.8 kilometers. Throughout the Èvre watershed, there are 567 km of rivers, including the following main tributaries: Pont Laurent, Trézenne, Avresne, Beuvron, Montatais, and Montbault.

A superb abbey church, a place of memory of the Vendée wars with the tomb of Bonchamps, by David d'Angers and a crypt rich in a beautiful historical and artistic collection. The former Benedictine abbey has become a cultural center. The square offers a superb view of the Loire!

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusillades_du_Marillais https://www.petit-patrimoine.com/fiche-petit-patrimoine.php?id_pp=49190_1 Better than a long speech, an extract from the book “Histoire de Vendée” by Deniau relates the tragic events of this place. “More than two thousand people were shot at Marillais from December 23-24, 1793 until April 8, 1794. There were first executed the men taken with weapons in their hands and who had not been able to follow the Vendée army in the spree of Galerne. Then the women and children, and finally everyone we could arrest. Searches were carried out in all neighboring parishes. The "patriots" of Saint Florent, especially animated by a sort of rage towards the unfortunate outlaws, not only pursued all those they could seize in the neighboring communes, but they also crossed the Loire... They paid emissaries to bring to Marillais all those who passed for "aristocrats" (generally small people) and each municipality gave them 25 pounds per person arrested. The victims were taken to this meadow at the foot of Mont-Glonne, where they were shot. In the midst of all these massacres, several good families from St-Florent dedicated themselves to saving some of these condemned men from death..." The monument is located near the Promenade Julien Gracq.

The Varades Bridge belongs to the family of suspension bridges, it measures nearly 309 meters with a main span of 178 meters. It was built in 1954 and benefited from significant work in 2006 and 2007.

It is a wonderful viewpoint and fotospot for the castle

If you are a lover of literature and nature, you might enjoy the Promenade Julien Gracq, a two-kilometer walk along the Loire. This trail was frequented by the famous writer Julien Gracq, born in Saint Florent le Vieil, a charming village on the banks of the Loire. As you stroll along the sandy path, you can read extracts from his works and admire views of the river and countryside. The walk leaves the village and ends at the sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Marillais, where the Evre joins the Loire.