The Loire and the horticultural fields

The two villages on this walk, which are both on the « Loire à Vélo » and « Vélo Francette » cycle routes, offer stunning views of this section of the Loire, which is part of the World Heritage Site.

Touristic places
- French gardens of the presbytery, at the foot of the church and dominating the Loire river, have a succession of flowered terraces, a must-see.
- A Mediterranean garden? In Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire? Indeed, as the microclimate of this town permits the development of vine, lavender, cypresses or agapanthus.
- Today, 30 companies work on 500 ha of orchards, vegetable cultivations, flowered plants, cut flowers and perennials. This plain, bordered by the Loire and Maine rivers, is more commonly known as the “Triangle vert” (Green triangle).
- The town of Ponts-de-Cé has a real know-how heritage with its Musée des Coiffes et des Traditions (Museum of traditions and headdresses) in the château and the creation pillar “Rive d’Arts” located in an old hook creation factory.

Equipment at your disposal
- Picnic tables in the Pont de l’Authion parking and at the edge of the Loire river after the Mediterranean garden for Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire
- Picnic tables at the edge of the Loire river near the Rive d’Arts and the Baignade pool

Departure points
- Pont de l'Authion car park in Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire
- Church Saint-Aubin car park in Les Ponts-de-Cé

Practical information
- Trail not passable during floods

Circuit marked out in mauve.

Download the map of walks in and around Angers.

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