25 panels explore life, the people and the infrastructure of Montoir-de-Bretagne at the beginning of the 20th century. The Musée à ciel ouvert makes local history the focus of a walk—alongside gardens, museums and leisure activities, it is a distinctive highlight to consider when planning a stay.
Cultural history from the early 20th century to the Middle Ages
The Musée à ciel ouvert is a walking tour offered by the Groupement Animation Tourisme Montoir (GATM) association and the town. The 25 panels cover life, the people and the infrastructure of Montoir in the 1900s. This turns the focus not just to a single historical episode, but to various aspects of the town at the time. Anyone interested in local history will find a route here with a clearly defined timeframe and theme.
The Jardin Médiéval des Caves offers a different historical perspective. It was created in 2014 to mark the 500th anniversary of Anne de Bretagne’s death and presents cultivated plants from the Middle Ages in an educational way. The collection also includes forgotten species that were once used on the tables of the people and dukes, as well as in decoctions, at the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. The garden thus connects botanical knowledge with earlier uses in cooking and preparation.
The stately Domaine de l’Ormois in Montoir belonged to the Vicomté de Donges. The estate is also used for numerous events, with contributors including designers from the GATM. If an event is the reason for your visit, check the dates in advance, as the specific programme may change.
The Musée de la marine en bois du Brivet opened in Montoir-de-Bretagne in June 2000 and received the « Valeurs Parc naturel régional » label. Admission is free, and individual self-guided visits are available. As opening hours may vary seasonally, it is advisable to check them before visiting.
Leisure activities in a variety of formats
The Parc de l’Aventurier is a 1.5-hectare leisure and recreation area in the centre of Montoir-de-Bretagne. One of its striking features is a monumental wooden play structure depicting a Beluga cargo aircraft. The size of the area and its unusual design give the park a different character from the historical walks and gardens.
The Aquaparc is a water and recreation area open to everyone. An inflatable structure is set up in the sports pool Monday to Friday from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm; it is open to children and adults. As the schedule may vary, check the current times before planning your day around it.
The Parcours Permanent d’Orientation is also located at the Complexe sportif Bonne Fontaine. Orienteering involves a map, marked checkpoints and a punch card. The course can be completed on foot or as quickly as possible. This makes it different both from a historical walk and from a visit to the water area: the map and checkpoints give the activity its structure.
At the Remontées du Brivet, the focus is on a ride in a chaland. Along the way, you can discover the local heritage as well as the local flora and fauna. Here, nature and heritage come together in a single activity, adding another perspective to the themes of local history and gardens.
Plan your stay around your interests
The activities differ above all in character: the walk and the medieval garden focus on history, the chaland ride combines heritage with flora and fauna, and the course and Aquaparc offer other forms of leisure. When looking for accommodation in Montoir-de-Bretagne, this selection can help you plan your stay around your interests. For events and activities scheduled at specific times, it is worth checking the latest dates and opening times.
Discover more destinations: Ruffigné, Sainte-Anne-Sur-Brivet, Héric, La Plaine-Sur-Mer, Carquefou, Varades, Oudon, Le Loroux-Bottereau
For the regional travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.
