VELO DETOURS - LA BOUCLE DES MARAIS

Off the beaten track, plunge into an ocean of greenery, full of charm and tranquillity: the Loire estuary. Exceptional landscapes and unique emotions await you! Get on your bikes in front of the reception desk at the Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc Tourist Office, and pedal gently towards the marshes. You'll discover an unspoilt natural environment, where water is everywhere: canals, waterways, sluices and locks...

The meeting of the fresh waters of the Loire and the salty waters of the Atlantic Ocean is the source of an incredible wealth of flora and fauna. You're bound to come across a wide variety of birds: sacred ibises, little egrets, grey herons and cattle egrets, as well as storks, whose nests are easy to spot. Stop off at the Sémaphore de l'Angle, a work of art created by artist Vincent Mauger. This unusual structure, made of wood and metal, will give you a chance to get some height and admire the lush green meadows that make up the panorama. Then head to Cordemais to discover its charming little port on the Loire and the Terre d'estuaire discovery centre, which will reveal all the secrets of the Loire estuary with fun, interactive facilities for all the family. In particular, you can take advantage of the balloon ride, which will take you 25 metres up in the air and give you a unique view of the Loire estuary all the way to Saint-Nazaire, on the doorstep of the ocean. A stone's throw away, you'll discover the Villa Cheminée, a work created by Tatzu Nishi for the Estuaire Nantes-Saint Nazaire route, which echoes the nearby power station. Then take a stroll near the Côte lake, where you can discover the flora and birdwatching. Here you can admire a strange wreck, gradually disappearing under the water and the vegetation of the pond... It's a boat used to clean and maintain the marsh canals in the 19th and 20th centuries. After this stop, begin the return journey to Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc, taking time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the marshes. Stop off at La Haie-Mahéas to catch a glimpse of the old convent, tucked away behind the trees. After a final effort, you're back at your starting point.

Along the way, discover the chapel of l'Angle, the many wayside crosses, the racecourse and the Cordemais power station, as well as the church of Saint-Etienne de Montluc. Contact: Estuaire et Sillon Tourist Office - Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc Visitor Centre, 13 place de la Mairie, 02 40 85 95 13 / Savenay Visitor Centre, 5 place Guépin, 02 28 016 016. contact@estuairesillontourisme.fr / www.estuairesillontourisme.fr