The best MTB trails around Avessac

Come quickly, we're having a great time

Considered an ancient Roman road, this paved route, very convex in shape, may predate the Gallo-Roman period. 19th-century scholars saw it as the road connecting Nantes, capital of the Namnetes' territory, to Corseul, capital of the Coriosolites' territory. It was used in the Middle Ages and allowed circulation in the marsh near the ford of Beslé. It is a shame that this route is not sufficiently highlighted, particularly due to vegetation overgrowth at certain times of the year.

Legend has it that it was young girls who were turned to stone for dancing on the moor instead of going to vespers. This legend was created in the 17th century by the church to combat the many paganisms prevalent in Haute Bretagne at that time.

In 832, Conuvoion, a Breton monk, founded the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur in Redon with the support of the Carolingian Emperor Louis the Pious. A small rural community slowly grew up around the abbey. During the Middle Ages, the town benefited from its location on the Vilaine River, as trade goods could be transported upstream to Redon on ocean-going vessels. There, the goods were transshipped and transported further on inland waterway barges towards Rennes, the capital of Brittany. In the 19th century, Redon experienced another period of prosperity with the construction of the Nantes-Brest Canal. Even today, the old shipowners' houses and the large harbor basin bear witness to its history as a trading port.

The cycle path along the Vilaine is truly a MUST! It runs directly along the river and has many locks. At each of the locks, there are beautifully maintained guardhouses, some of which are even kitsch. The cycle path doesn't stray more than 10 meters from the river and has a very well-maintained surface. I had the pleasure of following it for over 40 kilometers.

Very beautiful circuit starting from Missillac in the direction of Vilaine, passing successively through Thehillac, Etang Aumée, Avessac and Redon on secondary roads where there is very little traffic.

Redon has managed to retain its quiet, small-town character, despite its intense activity (and traffic). Following the floods of 2024, the campsite is closed. The pedestrian street is pleasant and not overcrowded with shops. Just what you need. A visit to the port is also a pleasant experience.

A "treidelpfad" (towpath) that runs alongside the river or canal's bed was an essential part of the transport infrastructure in earlier times. Before ships could be powered by motors, horses walked along the bank, pulling the boat against the current. This was called "treideln" (towing), and this is how the towpaths got their name, which has been passed down to this day. Where these paths, located directly along the bank, have been preserved, they are popular with hikers and cyclists.