The best traffic-free bike rides around Montaigu

A beautifully restored old watermill, in the heart of a beautiful natural site.

19th century church whose unfinished bell tower was topped with a slate spire which clashes a little - a lot - with the rest of the monument.

Clisson Castle has quite a story to tell: first an impregnable fortress overlooking the Sèvre, then a ducal residence, and finally a romantic ruin. In the 12th century, the powerful lordship of Clisson built this stone castle with highly elaborate defensive architectural systems: arrow slits, gun ports, and slits. A strategic point protecting the border of the Duchy of Brittany in the 15th century, it was abandoned by its owners from the second half of the 17th century onward before being burned down by Republican troops in 1793. But, beyond its grand history, this castle also has a more historic significance! In 1807, François-Frédéric Lemot, creator of the Garenne Lemot estate (a picturesque landscape located on the other side of the river), was captivated by these ruins and purchased it to turn it into an ornamental factory. The château was declared a historic monument in 1924, before being acquired by the Loire-Atlantique department in 1962. Today, visitors can visit it, take a guided tour, or simply experience its history. A stop on the Journey through the Vineyard, it's a stopover during the wine tourism tour of Nantes' wine country, featuring natural sites, heritage features, characterful villages, and unique cellars.

La Roche-Pépin, a village in Saint-Georges and its abandoned chapel—this could have been the headline in the newspaper Ouest-France in May 1992. Indeed, in the heart of the Saint-Georges hamlet stands the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin, located on the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela. A chapel with the distinction of belonging to the village's inhabitants. The construction of this building began in 1858, without the bishop's authorization. Its founders, Eugène Jaunet (mayor of Saint-Georges in 1857) and his sisters Victorine and Elisa, were a wealthy family who fed the poor. On May 16, 1859, Monsignor Delamare blessed the chapel. A building that, after their deaths, would gradually fall into disrepair. But the month of Mary continued to be celebrated there until 1952. Miss Gris, who looked after the chapel, said, "When I was young, we celebrated the month of Mary there, avoiding standing under the dangerous areas." The upper part of the chapel deteriorated, and in 1970, the slate roof finally collapsed. Father Jagueneau, who had attempted repairs, gave up due to the scale and cost of the work. The bell that rang the Angelus and for funerals was almost taken down in 1972. Only the sacred stone of the altar was removed. In 1986, a stone falling from the top of the building hit a car, creating controversy and tension among the villagers, some of whom reinforced the upper part of the walls. Michel Bonnet, the mayor, gathered the villagers to discuss a crucial question: should the chapel be razed, as some local residents suggested, or should funds be raised to restore the building? In 1992, under the leadership of Marc Jaulin, the Association for the Preservation of Heritage was founded and raised funds for two years to restore the chapel. The restoration took place from May 1993 to May 1997, requiring 545 hours of volunteer work, at a total cost of €42,662, of which €32,342 was funded by the association and municipal and departmental grants. Today, the restored and flower-bedecked chapel is open to visitors, and the month of Mary is celebrated there in May. Léone Epaulais, who arranges flowers and maintains the chapel, also recalls a legend: "More than a hundred years ago, the crown of the Blessed Virgin was thrown onto the flames of a fire, and the fire went out."

The River House is a preserved natural setting spanning over 10 hectares where art and nature blend together. Imagine a river and its watermill, surrounded by 10 hectares of nature... Boat trips on the Grande Maine, family treasure hunts, twilight strolls, onboard drinks, and an art exhibition with free access on the shaded banks and in the old mill.

Bultière Lake is an artificial reservoir. The Bultière Dam was built in 1994. It is located in the commune of Chavagne en paillers. It supplies the drinking water network. Its surface area is 72 hectares and contains 5.2 million cubic meters of water. It is possible to walk around the lake via a 15-km trail. This lake, with its exceptionally rich fish population, awaits you with almost every type of fish (perch, pike, zander, catfish, carp, roach, bream, tench, etc.). You can go predator fishing from the shore or from a boat to catch zander, pike, and catfish. It is, of course, possible to still fish for roach, bleak, or bream. Carp are also present in this lake. A night carp fishing route located on the right bank in the Maurosière sector will delight those who love a good catch.

Located east of the Parc des Remparts, the first part of the Val d'Asson Park opened in September 2020. The second part will open in July 2023. In total, it covers 5 hectares of greenery in the heart of the city. Located in the city center, parking is available at Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville or Rue du Pont-Jarlet. Admission is free and the park is open year-round. The various paths and footbridges are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The 5 hectares of parkland connect the city center with the Hauts de Montaigu district. Crossed by the Asson River, the park features a variety of vegetation that grows along the stream's banks. When it was created, the preservation of flora and fauna was a major objective. An eco-grazing area was created there.

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is Gothic in style and features an imposing façade. It is built of stone and features ornate carved details. The façade features a richly decorated main portal, adorned with statues, reliefs, or architectural motifs. Inside the church, you will find a spacious, vaulted main nave supported by pillars or columns. The vaults feature decorative star and ribbed motifs typical of Gothic architecture. Restored over a period of five years, the interior of the building now reveals warm colors ranging from yellow to pinkish-red. Colored stained-glass windows are also a characteristic feature of Gothic churches, and the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste has magnificent stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes and saints. In summary, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Montaigu is an example of Gothic architecture with an imposing façade and decorative elements. It houses side chapels, a choir, a main altar, and colorful stained-glass windows. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it is also an active place of worship and a significant historical landmark for the local community. The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Montaigu has a rich history dating back several centuries. Here is a brief overview of its history: The original church in Montaigu was built in the 11th century, but little information is available about this early structure. Over the following centuries, the church underwent alterations and expansions, reflecting changing architectural styles. In the 14th century, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style, with a spacious main nave, elegant vaults, and carved details. Construction was completed in the 15th century, giving the church its current appearance. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the Church of Saint John the Baptist was used for secular purposes. It was converted into a community hall and suffered significant damage, including the destruction of decorative and religious elements. After the Revolution, the church was gradually restored and returned to worship. Repair and renovation work was undertaken to restore damaged architectural features. Over the years, modifications and improvements were made to the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Side chapels were added, stained-glass windows were installed, and religious ornaments were restored. Today, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is an active place of worship for the Catholic community of Montaigu. It is also a tourist and cultural attraction, attracting visitors with its Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows, and history. Religious events, ceremonies, and concerts are regularly held there.