Out & About

La Mabonniere provides the ideal situation for exploring the Western Loire, Brittany and Mayenne.
This interesting and beautiful area of France has something to offer everyone whether you seek quiet, sandy beaches, coastal resorts, market towns, historic chateaux or vineyards.

Soulvache
La Mabonniere is 1km from the quiet country village of Soulvache which has a good bar selling bread and other basic supplies.

Neighbouring villages and small towns have good restaurants, bars and pavement cafes

Chateaubriant
Chateaubriant (12km) has a lively Wednesday market, a chateau, and good shops and restaurants. It also has an Olympic sized indoor pool, a cinema, a race-course and ten-pin bowling. In September the famous "Foire de Bere"- a four day country show - is well worth a visit.

Rennes
Rennes(40km), the capital of Brittany, has smart shops, fine restaurants, museums, art galleries and elegant architecture. The produce market on Saturday mornings is a colourful sight. The modern city is built around the beautiful old quarter which survived the devastating fire in 1720. The city is well served by a new metro system which is easily accessed from this side of town.

Nantes
Nantes, capital of the Pays de la Loire, is a busy port on the banks of the river Erdre with beautiful gardens and parks and offering excellent shopping

Angers
Angers, gateway to the Loire valley, has recently been designated a World Heritage site. A large, lively, modern city with extensive shopping areas alongside the old city. The chateau houses the stunning 14th century Tapestries of the Apocalypse whilst the 20th century tapestries of Le Chant du Monde by Jean Lucat can be seen in the Hopital St. Jean

There are many vineyards in the area where local wine including Muscadet and Rose d'Anjou can be tasted (and bought!!). Contreau liqueur has been made in Angers since 1849.

St. Nazaire
St. Nazaire has thriving shipyards, huge U-boat pens and an interesting re-creation of life on a luxury liner.

Other places of interest within easy reach include...

• Loheac with the largest motor museum in France
• La Gacilly with its craft workshops
• Mont St. Michel with its island abbey
• St.Malo – an attractive walled town
• The Normandy landing beaches
• Many places with megalithic remains including the Roches aux Fees at Esse , a burial chamber built some 4500 years ago with some blocks weighing 40 tons.
• The Sea can be reached in several directions within approximately one and a half hours, ranging from the long sandy beaches of La Baule to the rocky coves of the north Brittany coast. The whole of the coastline is famous for its seafood restaurants, particularly for oysters and mussels.

The Immediate Locality has many lakes with nature trails, marked walks and water activities. The nearest is at Martigne Ferchaud (8km). Most have safe man-made beaches. Horse-riding, go-karting, fishing and golf are available in the area.

Throughout the summer most of the surrounding towns and villages have a fete or spectacular as well as fireworks to celebrate Bastille Day on 14th July. The harvest fete at Thourie (five minutes away) gives a fascinating insight into farming traditions in the region. The Etincelles Aquatique held on the lakeside at Martigne Ferchaud in mid-August is an amazing night time show based on local folk lore, effectively illustrated with abundant firework displays and attracting 20,000 visitors over four days.