La Vallée de la Sèvre Nantaise

After Mauléon, you ride off in the direction of the département (French county) of Vendée, making use of a cycle path taking you on to a network of small roads that then lead you along the valley of the Sèvre Nantaise River. Do take time to explore the lanes of Mallièvre, a former weavers’ village that has now been designated a Petite Cité de Caractère for its heritage. Next, the Vélidéale cycle route guides you along the Poupet Valley via a mix of paths and very small local roads, making you cross from one side of the river to the other. Before reaching Mortagne sur Sèvre, there are spots at which to enjoy pretty views over the Sèvre Nantaise and you’ll even get a glimpse of the majestic Barbin Viaduct, creating a picture-postcard scene.

Enjoy a cascade of viewpoints over the Sèvre Nantaise Valley on this Vélidéale cycle route stage. Many mills were built along the banks of the river here, exploiting its sometimes very lively character, often for preparing flour or textiles. There are several nice spots to pause at beside old mills dotted along this undulating stretch that guides you through the hedge-divided patchwork of fields that makes up the Bocage Vendéen. The main stop along this stage is the arresting Château de Tiffauges, the largest medieval fort in central western France. Wending your way from Cugand to the little village of Gaumier, you arrive at the only fulling mill in France still in operation. Reaching the end of the stage, you arrive at Clisson, a very pretty valley town largely rebuilt in Italianate style after the French Revolution.

With its varied atmospheres, one part marked by its imposing medieval castle, the other by the Tuscan airs around La Garenne Lemot (an Italianate villa), Clisson is also, surprisingly, home to one of Europe’s largest and loudest musical festivals, heavy-metal Hellfest! Continuing from Clisson to Nantes, the Vélidéale dawdles through the Muscadet area’s vineyards, with lovely bucolic views not just of vines, but also of delightful heritage sites dotted along the Sèvre Nantaise Valley, including the Gué du Moulin d’Angreviers and perched old manors. A veritable green lung on the edge of the sprawling metropolis, the river guides you right up to Nantes, past such tempting spots as La Chaussée des Moines at Vertou, where a hungry or thirsty cyclist can easily find a terrace at which to sit and be served. The green cultural trail known as the Voyage à Nantes then takes over as your guide, leading you along a path peppered with startling outdoor art installations towards the capital of central western France, Nantes. The Sèvre Nantaise River is the last major tributary to join the Loire before its estuary, reaching the mighty river at the great metropolis, after which you’ll carry on your cycle route due west beside the Loire.