Discover the town center of Pornic (circuit 1)

Itinéraire

TOWNS OF DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL :
- Place of departure Place de la Gare - Pornic
- Place of arrival Place de la Gare - Pornic
DURATION AND DISTANCE OF THE ITINERARY :
- Total distance of the itinerary (in km) 1,5
TYPE OF ITINERARY :
- Heritage walking discovery
- Urban circuit
DIFFICULTY OF THE ITINERARY :
- Very easy

Presentation

Circuit 1 / Discovery of the city center : between staircase alleys and castle of Pornic

1. Môle place
The ideal place to admire the entrance to the Ria (river vallery invaded by the sea), the port of Gourmalon and, in the background, the masts of the boats moored at the marina.
In front of you the emblem of the city, the castle of Pornic.

2. At the foot of the castle
On the footbridge, you face the massive tower of the castle, anchored on its rocky base bathed by water, a heritage from medieval times and remodeled in the 19th century.
In the 15th century, Gilles de Rais, companion in arms of Jeanne d’Arc, was the owner.
On the other side of the port, you can admire the Gourmalon district adorned with its seaside villas built from the middle of the 19th century.

3. Terrasse Place
At the foot of the statue of Notre-Dame de Recouvrance, you will notice the defensive architecture of the castle : arches, towers, ramparts, built in schist, local rock.
Located on the former place of arms of the castle, the Terrasse building the witness of the development of sea bathing in Pornic in the 1830s. It offered vacationers of the time accommodation, catering and entertainment.

4. Halls
In 1609 in the heart of the medieval city, the Duke Henri de Gondy, Lord of Retz, had the covered halls built in the shopping district for fairs and markets, as well as to do justice there. Redesigned over the centuries, they welcome the market on Thursday and Sunday mornings.

5. Calvary staircase
Arranged on the site of the old watchtower of the ramparts, the Calvary of the Douve offers a breathtaking view over the roofs of Pornic and further direction to Noirmoutier.

6. Saint-Gilles Church
You get there through the typical lanes of Pornic. Completed in 1871, it dominates the host city. It replaces a medieval church built at the end of the 14th century placed under the invocation of Saint-Gilles du Gard.

7. Fouquet staircase
Link between the upper town and the old port, the staircase invites you to discover the houses built like an amphitheater on the rock.

Geographical zone :
- Pornic
TYPE OF ITINERARY :
- Heritage walking discovery
- Urban circuit
THEME OF ITINERARY :
- Cultural
- Background (history )