In Sion-Les-Mines, megalithic sites, the history of the Forges de la Hunaudière, and walking trails through woodland and pond landscapes come together. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the different time requirements of the routes and which historic sites interest you. This lets you plan walks and cultural visits around the focus you want for your stay.

Choose walking trails by duration

The Sentier de Sion à la Hunaudière is 16.4 kilometres long, rated easy, and marked in yellow. The walking time is about four hours. The Sentier des Mines is shorter at 12.7 kilometres; it is also considered easy, with a walking time of about three hours and 15 minutes. This trail starts and ends in Sion-Les-Mines. The figures make it easy to compare the time required for the two longer walks.

The Sentier du Tour de l'Étang de la Hunaudière takes less time: this walking route is six kilometres long, marked in yellow, and takes about one hour and 30 minutes. It first passes through oak and beech woodland, then follows the banks of the pond. Walkers may be able to spot grey herons, great crested grebes, and mallards there. The trails therefore differ both in the time they take and in the landscape experiences described. Check route information and local conditions before setting out.

Menhirs and protected heritage

The Alignement de la Grée Galot is a megalithic site of aligned menhirs on the border between Lusanger and Sion-Les-Mines. The Menhir de Pierre Pin is also known as the Pierre des Huguenots and is listed as a historic monument. The Menhir de la Grée à Midi is classified as a historic monument; the same applies to the megalithic monument La Roche à la Bergère. The different names and protection statuses give each site its own historical significance.

The Chapel of Saint-Eloi is also part of the heritage of the former Forge de la Hunaudière. It is one of the structures protected as a historic monument by a decree dated 6 July 1987. The Forges operated as a metallurgical site from the mid-16th century until 1882. This long period places the protected structures within the history of the former metalworking industry.

Demonstrations and mill history

At the Art de la Fonderie demonstration at the Forges de la Hunaudière, molten metal is poured. Depending on the current production, bronze or aluminium is used; the process and demonstration format may vary. Check the current visitor arrangements before your trip, before making firm plans to attend the demonstration.

The Moulin du Pont Godalin, around four centuries old, has preserved its equipment as a watermill and continues to produce buckwheat flour. A self-guided visit includes the old mill and its outbuildings, the mill grounds, and the waterwheel. The mill museum also features a film, a slideshow, and an exhibition. This lets you combine a look at the preserved mill equipment with a presentation in the museum. Check visiting arrangements before your trip.

Commemorating the Maquisards

The Monument de la Brosse commemorates the Maquisards who were murdered by Germans on the night of 10 to 11 July 1944. The Cérémonie de la Brosse takes place every year on the first Sunday in July at the memorial stele. If you would like to include the event in your stay, check the arrangements for that year.

There are specific time estimates to help you choose a walking trail: the Sentier du Tour de l'Étang de la Hunaudière has the shortest stated walking time, while the two longer trails take about three hours and 15 minutes and four hours, respectively. The historic sites and the mill museum offer different areas of interest. You can plan your visit according to whether you would rather spend more time on a trail, at megalithic monuments, or exploring the history of metalworking and milling.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Gildas-Des-Bois, Fercé, Mouzeil, Nantes, Barbechat, Grand-Auverné, Varades, Les Moutiers-En-Retz

For the broader travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.