Monnières combines walks through vineyards with remarkable buildings and places to take a break outdoors. An 18th-century windmill, the Church of Sainte Radegonde and the Circuit des Moulins walking trail each give the area a distinct character. There is also the history of Village du Pont, Étang des Tuileries, and a winery offering tours and tastings. If you are considering a stay in Monnières, you can plan around the experiences that interest you most.
A Mill and a Trail Through the Vineyards
Moulin de la Minière stands above the vineyards and offers panoramic views. Since autumn 2022, information panels there have explained the mill’s history and how it works. The means of transport you choose matters: the site can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Check access conditions before you arrive, as they may change.
The Circuit des Moulins is another destination for a walk. The trail is marked in yellow through the vineyards and includes the “Eau à la bouche” educational trail, where plants with strong scents or distinctive tastes are introduced in a playful way. The route also leads to the promontory of the Grotte de Lourdes, which overlooks the Sèvre Nantaise. It therefore combines views of the landscape with a themed introduction to plants. As trail-marker information may be updated, it is a good idea to check the latest route information before setting out.
Church Art and Local History
The Romanesque Church of Sainte Radegonde preserves remains dating from the 11th century, a bell-gable with buttresses from the 13th century, and a Gothic choir. One detail of the large church window also has a specific historical connection: the stained glass was installed in 1945 and bears the signature of Jacques Grüber. In the late Middle Ages, Monnières was also home to a Templar commandery.
Village du Pont was an old port serving the wine-growing area, on the edge of the navigable stretch of the Sèvre Nantaise. Its architectural history includes characteristic multi-storey stone houses dating from the 15th to the 18th century. They once belonged to merchants and shipowners. Together, the church and houses offer different insights into the area’s architecture and history, from its medieval heritage to Village du Pont’s former commercial and maritime connections.
Relax by Étang des Tuileries
The peaceful Étang des Tuileries covers two hectares and is a place to relax outdoors. Activities and facilities include fishing, a children’s playground, pétanque courts, and picnic and barbecue areas. The available facilities are also useful for planning: there are two reserved parking spaces, a pontoon suitable for two wheelchairs, two picnic tables—one of them under a shelter—and compliant toilets. Facilities and seasonal services may change. If you depend on specific details, check them before your visit.
Wine Tastings by Prior Reservation
Domaine Ménard-Gaborit offers tours and wine tastings by prior reservation. Check the offer and make a reservation in advance, as these conditions may change. Its range includes a certified organic selection of Muscadet wines, including Monnières-Saint-Fiacre; the wine selection may also change.
Two practical conditions are worth bearing in mind: Moulin de la Minière can only be reached on foot or by bicycle, and both the winery tour and wine tasting require advance reservation.
Discover more destinations: Savenay, Guérande, Quimiac, Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, Sautron, Le Pouliguen, Saint-Vincent-Des-Landes, Basse-Goulaine
For the wider travel guide: Loire-Atlantique.
