Discover Saint-Aubin-Des-Châteaux from two perspectives: trails through the rural landscape and individual examples of its architectural and cultural history. To help you choose, consider the two hikes by length and landscape, and keep the Chapelle des Templiers and Menhir des Louères in mind as separate cultural destinations. This lets you focus on outdoor activity or historic places.

Hiking Trails and Landscapes

Both hiking trails start at the Plan d’eau du Bas du Tertre. The 15-kilometre “Étangs et Calvaires” trail passes through forests, by ponds and along sunken lanes, ending at the Étang de la Hunaudière. There is a small bird-watching spot there. The route thus combines several landscape features with a specific destination by the pond.

“Les Coteaux de la Chère” is 8.5 kilometres long and follows sunken lanes along the Chère through a hilly rural landscape. At 8.5 rather than 15 kilometres, this route is 6.5 kilometres shorter. Both start at the same place, but differ in both length and the landscape described. The distance gives you a direct basis for comparison when planning; how much time you allow depends on your own pace. Check the latest trail information before setting out, as details about the routes may be updated.

Chapel and Menhir

The Chapelle des Templiers is an old chapel that the Knights Templar converted into the church of their commandery in the 12th century. Its architecture also offers specific points of interest: the wooden roof structure was worked entirely with an axe, and two sloping wall surfaces shape the interior architecture. The history of its conversion and its distinctive architectural features are thus two separate aspects of the site.

The Menhir des Louères offers a different perspective. It has been classified as a Monument historique since 1928, is a menhir in the Neolithic style, and now stands alone. It was probably once part of a row of stones. It is worth distinguishing between the certainty of these statements: the classification is dated, while its former place in a row of stones remains a theory. Together, the chapel and menhir therefore represent different historical connections—from the conversion in the 12th century to a former grouping that is only presumed.

Planning Your Stay

The Aire de stationnement Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux is at the end of a road by a pond, at the foot of the commune of Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux and near shops. As access conditions and facilities may change, check the latest access and facilities information before visiting.

When looking for a hotel in Saint-Aubin-Des-Châteaux, you can first consider whether the hiking trails or the cultural and historic sites will shape your stay. Then factor the location of a specific accommodation into your own daily plans. This lets you choose based on the focus of your trip without treating the two hiking routes or the individual cultural sites as interchangeable.

Discover more destinations: Bouvron, La Meilleraye-De-Bretagne, Guenrouet, Grand-Auverné, Basse-Goulaine, Saint-Julien-De-Concelles, Gétigné, Le Pouliguen

For the broader travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.