15. from Marsac-sur-Don to Blain
The Don is a river that originates in Maine-et-Loire, crosses the North of the Loire Atlantique and flows into the Vilaine. The Isac is another river of the Loire Atlantique, a tributary of the Vilaine, which was developed during the creation of the Nantes-Brest Canal. The route will be marked by rivers and will run alongside the Gâvre national forest. The small heritage can be seen through the many stone fences or wells whose cover is made of blue shale slabs (sometimes a single slab is enough).
2 points of interest
- Cultural
The Cross of the Four Lands
On the Roman road between Portus Bablini (Blain) and Condate (Rennes), on the edge of the forest of Gâvre stands this Latin cross, erected in 1850 in granite. Its trunk, of orthogonal section, is placed on a masonry base with a blue schist entablature. On each side of the base are engraved the names of the communes that meet in this place (Marsac, Vay, Gâvre and Guenouvri which is now part of the commune of Guéméné).
- Historical
Village of Le Gâvre
The Gâvre is intimately linked to the history of France and Brittany. Its castle was razed to the ground by Olivier de Clisson during the War of the Succession of Brittany in 1364.
The 4500ha state-owned forest is of great importance in the development of the region as shown by the old houses of the village such as the Forest Museum, installed in the "Maison du haut de la ville" built in schist in 1648.
At the end of the 19th century, two railway lines served Gâvre. The last trains stopped in 1976.
Description
From the church square, leave Marsac by going down the street rue Isaie Rabu and, at the fork of the Hôtel du Don, turn left into rue St Léger. At the exit of the town, turn right in the direction of La Pihourdais. At the crossroads of the Calvary, turn left, still in the direction of La Pihourdais. Cross this village, continue towards Launay de Bourgueil, then Le Pré Rocher. At the crossroads after the latter (crossroads with a small transformer with an antenna), turn left and join the Croix des Quatre Contrées.
- Continue on this road along the Gâvre forest, cross the D2 and join the village of Le Gâvre. In the village, go straight on the Grande Rue and, after the crossroads with the rue de l'église, turn right by the " Pas de l'Octroi " which passes under the building and join the pond. Go along the pond on the left and then turn left onto the D2 (in winter, do not go along the pond but turn left directly onto the D2).
- At the crossroads, turn right in the direction of "La Grée", then left by the rue des Landes. At the fork, turn left and, at the crossroads, continue straight ahead until you reach the road to Mespra. Turn right until you reach the Maisonnette de Mespras (old gatekeeper's house). Then turn left onto the old railway line. Follow this road, cross the D42 and join the asphalt cycle track.
- Turn to the right by passing the chicanes and join Blain by the rue Joseph Cugnot. The roundabout will be avoided by taking on the right the path which runs along the fences of the garden shop and the carpenter's shop. Turn right on rue de Nozay and join Blain's church.
- Departure : St Martin Church - Rue Isaie Rabu, 44170, Marsac-sur-Don
- Arrival : St Laurent Church - Place Jean Guihard, 44130, Blain
- Towns crossed : Pays de la Loire
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
The route follows the route of the Ways of Compostela (Capitals Way).
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