Getting there and the landscape

Thouaré-sur-Loire is seven minutes from Nantes SNCF station by TER. This is a useful planning detail for your journey; check the TER timetable for your travel date before setting off. At your destination, the river helps you find your bearings: the town lies on the banks of the Loire, and two thirds of the municipality consists of natural or agricultural land. When choosing your destination, you can weigh up travel arrangements and the natural setting separately.

Exploring the Loire

The Bords de Loire route invites you to cycle along the river and use the trail for longer excursions. It also leads to the small Pont de la Chalandière, also known as Pont de l’Arche, one of the oldest structures in Thouaré-sur-Loire. This way, a ride along the river takes in a tangible piece of local history. The stone arch over the Chalandière stream may date back to the Middle Ages.

The Ponts de Thouaré are a different kind of bridge. Built between 1879 and 1882, they consist of two consecutive metal bridges over two arms of the Loire, separated by the Île de la Chesnaie. The bridges connect Thouaré-sur-Loire on the right bank of the Loire with Saint-Julien-de-Concelles on the left bank. The Pont de la Chalandière is on the de la Sauterelle towpath, about 800 metres upstream from the Ponts de Thouaré, also on the right bank. Their approximate positions along the river help distinguish the two named bridge sites: the metal bridges over the arms of the Loire here, and the smaller arch over the stream there.

Wetlands and organised excursions

The Vallon du Gobert marks the boundary between Thouaré-sur-Loire and Mauves-sur-Loire. The stream of the same name runs through the valley and flows into the Loire. Together with the Vallon de la Seilleraye upstream and the Boire de Mauves downstream, the valley forms a continuous stretch of wetlands and marshes. Access is only possible as part of organised excursions; check the current excursion arrangements before your trip. The bridge in the valley has its own history, too: it is traditionally called the “pont romain” (Roman bridge), but in fact dates from the Middle Ages.

Building history across several eras

The moats around the Château de Thouaré bear witness to the estate’s medieval origins. Its history goes back to the 10th century, when a medieval motte surrounded by moats was built. The estate covers seven hectares on the banks of the Loire. Another chapter in the town’s history is linked to the historic Port de Thouaré, which was one of the most important ports on the upper Loire until the 19th century. The motte and the port thus point to different chapters in the town’s history.

South of the town centre and right on the Loire is the privately owned Demeure, dite château de La Picauderie. Built in 1773, it was modelled on a country house in the Nantes area known as a “folie nantaise.” It adds an 18th-century building to the medieval landmarks. Its location by the river and south of the town centre also sets it apart from the bridges and buildings that feature in the history of the Loire.

A seasonal riverside attraction

The Guinguette de Thouaré serves food and drinks on the banks of the Loire in summer. Its seasonal programme also includes events such as concerts and shows. If you are planning a visit, check the dates and offerings for the relevant season.

The TER journey from Nantes is one aspect of getting there; the Guinguette adds seasonal dates to consider. These differences offer practical pointers for planning, without limiting your stay to a single attraction.

Discover more destinations: La Chevallerais, Bonnoeuvre, Saint-Nicolas-De-Redon, Pornichet, Pontchâteau, Petit-Mars, Abbaretz, Saint-Aubin-Des-Châteaux.

For the broader travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.