When planning a trip to Les Sorinières, it is worth exploring two different sides of the town: prehistoric and medieval heritage, and its paths and green spaces. The Menhirs of Faulx and Haute-Lande provide a specific cultural focus; the network of walking trails, parks and Médiathèque offer further ways to enjoy your stay. As you plan, you can decide whether monuments, time outdoors or a free place to visit will be your main focus.
Menhirs and Medieval History
The Menhir of Faulx is a Neolithic quartzite menhir, dated to between 4500 and 2500 BC. It was Christianized by the addition of a cross and a small statuette in a niche. This stone therefore brings together a prehistoric date and a later religious transformation.
The most striking feature of the Menhir de la Haute-Lande is its size: the quartzite menhir weighs 15 to 20 tonnes. In 1960, it was added to the supplementary inventory of monuments. The Menhir of Faulx was added to the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments in 1984. The two also differ in the features noted: the Christianization of Faulx, and the weight and earlier listing of Haute-Lande.
The Abbaye de Villeneuve is part of the town’s medieval history. It was founded as a Cistercian abbey in 1201. The abbey church was consecrated in 1224 by Etienne, Bishop of Nantes. In the past, the monks welcomed members of religious orders and pilgrims. Its founding, the consecration of the church and the monks’ historical role give this site a different historical focus from the menhirs.
Walking Trails and Landscape
The Les Sorinières walking-trail network comprises 34 kilometres of marked and maintained paths. They pass through forests, along waterways and by townhouses. Rather than focusing your stay solely on individual monuments, you can make the varied settings along the trails your focus while walking. Check the local trail markers before setting out.
Two Parks, Different Scales
Parc Hippolyte-Derouet is a one-hectare wooded park in the town centre, with a children’s playground. It is also a starting point for walking trails. Its location, wooded setting and role as a trailhead make the park appealing to visitors with different interests. At one hectare, it is much smaller than Parc de la Filée, whose character is more defined by its size and pond.
Parc de la Filée is a 12-hectare preserved rural leisure park. Its pond covers 1.5 hectares and is used for fishing. This green space differs from Parc Hippolyte-Derouet both in its size and in its pond. If you plan to fish during your visit, check the local fishing rules, as they can change.
Another Cultural Venue
Médiathèque L'Échappée offers free admission and free use of all documents and games on site. It complements the historical sites and outdoor activities with another option for planning your day: here, the focus is on media and games to use on site. This lets you give culture and time outdoors different places in your itinerary, without limiting your stay to a single type of visit.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Mars-Du-Désert, Treffieux, La Chevrolière, Besné, Saffré, Saint-Aignan-Grandlieu, Saint-Julien-De-Concelles, La Baule-Escoublac.
For the broader travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.
