Discover Vertou on a short walk through the town centre or along longer routes beside the Sèvre and through wine-growing and cultural landscapes. The Cœur-de-Ville trail is 2 km long and takes about an hour; there are also three longer circular routes, each with a different distance and focus. Choose between local history and more expansive landscapes.
Circular routes between the town centre and countryside
Monuments, squares and historical anecdotes feature along the Cœur-de-Ville trail through the town centre. The longer routes offer different highlights: the 13.3 km Mottechaix–Rousselière circular route runs along both banks of the Sèvre and explores the river’s former uses and Vertou’s natural heritage. The 11.9 km Ramée–Ville-au-Blanc route passes through natural and cultural landscapes, between villages, vineyards and the Sèvre. On the 10 km Portillon circular route, the trail runs from the village of Portillon through Parc du Loiry to Coteau du Chêne, focusing on Vertou’s plant and river heritage.
The route lengths and themes can help you choose: Mottechaix–Rousselière links both banks of the Sèvre with the history of river use, Ramée–Ville-au-Blanc with villages and vineyards, and the Portillon route with natural heritage and riverside scenery. Check current access to the trails before setting out.
Paddling, cycling and river history
The Club de Canoë Kayak de Vertou offers canoeing on the Sèvre nantaise. For active or family day trips, the club rents canoes and kayaks for one to four people. At the Base de loisirs du Loiry, you can rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for periods ranging from one hour to a full day; rentals are available seasonally. For planning purposes, the distinction is useful: the club focuses on day trips and group size, while the base offers a choice of rental duration.
There are more than 30 km of cycling infrastructure within the municipality for getting around Vertou. The Vertou lock is also still in operation. If you are planning a boat trip, check its operating status locally.
The Chaussée des Moines dates back to a ford built around the year 1000 by Benedictine monks from the Abbaye Saint-Martin-de-Vertou. The weir, lock and mills were added later. The weir maintains an upstream water level sufficient for navigation as far as Monnières and Château-Thébaud.
Exhibitions, architectural heritage and Muscadet
Moulin Gautron hosts exhibitions by contemporary artists each year. Since the programme changes annually, check the current exhibition calendar. The Vélidéale passes along Route de la Ville Bachelier to the former village of Portillon, which has notable architectural heritage.
The seasonal visitor experience at Château de La Frémoire includes tastings of the ten municipal Muscadet appellations, information about wines from the Nantes area and a map of the wine-growing region. Check current opening days in advance when planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Remouillé, Rougé, Guenrouet, Piriac-Sur-Mer, Petit-Auverné, Héric, La Plaine-Sur-Mer, Guémené-Penfao
For the regional travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.
