A Neolithic dolmen, a priory founded in the early Middle Ages and paths along the Loire give Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne its cultural and scenic character. Its themes range from prehistoric heritage and medieval traces to nature observation and route planning. When deciding on your trip, you can weigh up whether local history, trails or the Loire landscape should take centre stage.
Heritage across several eras
The Dolmen de la Bajoulière is a Neolithic megalith and has been classified as a historic monument since 24 September 1936. The Priory of Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne was founded at the beginning of the 10th century. The Church of Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne is documented from the first half of the 11th century; a 12th-century fresco adorns the priory’s chapter house. The dolmen and the medieval features therefore belong to distinctly different periods. You can consider the archaeological heritage and the later ecclesiastical history as two separate focal points in the local history.
Washhouses and an autumn event
The covered washhouses of Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne are regularly maintained, but have not been used since the 1950s. Hortomnales provides a recurring seasonal event: the Priory Association’s annual family event takes place in autumn and showcases the pumpkin collection grown by the association. If you would like to include this event in your travel plans, check the specific event dates in advance.
Loire landscapes and nature observation
On the banks of the Loire, Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne brings together cultivated slopes and rolling plateaus, apple orchards, livestock farming and seed crops. Different types of terrain are therefore part of the landscape, alongside agricultural land use. The 3 km-long Sentier d’interprétation de la grande île offers a specific focus on nature: it provides an opportunity to observe a protected landscape with numerous Loire birds and remarkable plants. This offers two complementary perspectives on nature: a view of agriculturally shaped slopes and plateaus, and observation of a protected landscape rich in birds and plants.
Planning routes and travel
When considering the trails, it helps to distinguish a circular route from a shared section of two routes. The blue-marked Circuit des Lavoirs starts and ends in Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne and is 16.1 km long. The Saint-Rémy-La-Varenne–Saumur section of the Vélo Francette shares its route with La Loire à Vélo. The GR3 hiking trail and routes along La Loire à Vélo also offer panoramic views. The Circuit has a specified start, finish and length; the section towards Saumur is notable for two routes sharing the same stretch. As routes may change, check the latest route information for the Vélo Francette before setting off.
For rail travel planning, Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire station is a 2 km walk from the priory. Check rail services separately before travelling.
Find a hotel for your stay
Discover more destinations: Montfaucon-Montigné, Beaupréau, Angrie, Grézillé, Vaudelnay, Chaintré, Broc, Tigné.
Return to the main travel overview: Maine-Et-Loire.
