Narrow lanes climb to the centre of Basse-Indre; a municipal walking trail runs through the streets and parks of Basse-Indre, Haute-Indre and Indret. There is also a cycle route with a ferry crossing over the Loire. Indre can therefore be explored on different scales: from a rising route through the village to a tree walk and a measured cycle tour.
Three former rocky islands on the Loire
Indret, Basse-Indre and Haute-Indre are former rocky islands and today make up the single municipality of Indre on the Loire. This shared identity shapes the setting of the three areas. To find your way around, it helps to distinguish between the routes: the “Parcours des arbres remarquables” passes through all three, while the “Les Îles d'Indre” route runs through the Basse-Indre section.
On foot: village layout and remarkable trees
In the Basse-Indre section, the “Les Îles d'Indre” route winds through narrow lanes that climb towards the centre. The ascent and the narrow route shape the historic urban character of this section. For those interested in the layout of the centre, this offers a specific focus for a walk: narrow streets and an uphill route.
The municipal “Parcours des arbres remarquables” was created in 2025 and runs as a walking trail through the streets and parks of Basse-Indre, Haute-Indre and Indret. Information panels showcase 18 remarkable trees. The route combines a clearly defined tree theme with several parts of the village and different urban spaces. By contrast, the lane route focuses on the uphill section in Basse-Indre. The two routes therefore have different focuses: trees in streets and parks on the one hand, and narrow lanes and the route to the centre on the other.
Cycling across the Loire
The “Pédaler d’œuvres en œuvres” cycle tour is 30 kilometres long, takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, and is open to everyone. It follows the “Indre” signs to Basse-Indre, where it crosses the Loire by ferry. The distance, duration and ferry crossing give the tour a clear framework for planning. It is advisable to check the ferry timetable before setting off.
Market and industrial history
The Basse-Indre market is held at Place Jean Bordais on the banks of the Loire. This named square links the market to a specific landmark by the river. In Indret, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne tells another part of the area's history: the building once housed a tidal mill used to bore cannon barrels. The former boring workshop was converted into a chapel in 1843; the chapel has been deconsecrated since 1976. The sequence of tidal mill, boring workshop and chapel makes the changes in the building's use visible.
Discover more destinations: Petit-Auverné, Orvault, Trignac, Blain, Joué-Sur-Erdre, Nort-Sur-Erdre, Aigrefeuille-Sur-Maine, Chéméré.
For the main travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.
