Just 30 minutes from Pornic, nestled between the Lac de Grand-Lieu and the Baie de Bourgneuf, Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons invites you to a sensory immersion in the heart of the Pays de Retz. Every year, this village with its unspoilt rural soul attracts hiking enthusiasts in search of unspoilt nature and authenticity. The local flora, bocage landscapes and birdsong on its country paths offer a true nature escape.
Perhaps you'll hear the carillon intoning Théodore Botrel's La Paimpolaise, an aural nod to Breton cultural heritage. A gourmet stroll to whet your appetite... and your thirst !
It's the perfect combination of outdoor recreation and gourmet discovery : an immersive walk that ends near a craft brewery, to enjoy a well-earned local beer.
Head for the Circuit des Templiers, a 15.5 km route winding through hamlets, pastures, undergrowth and agricultural landscapes, starting from the singular horseshoe-shaped cemetery. Allow around 3 hours 45 minutes for the walk through unspoilt countryside to your refreshing stop. Along the way, you'll pass through the hamlets of La Davière des Landes, Beau Soleil, Le Temple and Noyeux, before making an exclusive detour to La Prise, a stone's throw from the village of Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons, where you'll find a hop-filled surprise.
The unusual starting point for this hike in the Pays de Retz, the circular cemetery of Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons, is a rarity in Europe. Designed in the shape of a horseshoe, it houses an impressive monumental calvary, erected in the 19th century in memory of the victims of the Vendée wars. This place of remembrance, shaped by local history and the struggles of 1793, embodies Destination Pornic's rich cultural heritage. It's a symbolic stopover, the perfect way to start a walk that combines spirituality, remembrance and nature.
An emblematic figure of the Vendée resistance, François-Athanase de Charette led several battles in western France against Republican forces during the Vendée Wars (1793-1796). Supported by royalist priests and peasants, he embodied the spirit of counter-revolution that left a lasting mark on the identity of the Pays de Retz. In Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons, Curé Viollet, who had fought alongside him, erected the calvary in the cemetery to pay tribute to the martyrs of that era. A place of local remembrance, to be discovered along the way.
At the end of this hike in the heart of the Pays de Retz, a well-deserved stopover awaits you at the D'Ici l'Aurore craft brewery, nestled in the hamlet of La Prise.
🍻 More than just a place of production, this is a committed local microbrewery, where every recipe showcases local produce and brewing know-how. In a friendly atmosphere, let yourself be tempted by a tasting of hopped beers with subtle aromas. Blonde, amber, IPA or saison, each sip tells a story of local passion and short supply chains. A sensory experience to enhance your gourmet stroll around Destination Pornic.
➡️ Is it possible to picnic on the course ? Yes, there are several shady, quiet areas perfect for an outdoor gourmet break.
With its country lanes, authentic heritage, craft beer tasting and nature walks, the Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons beer hike promises a timeless experience, with friends or on your own. An itinerary that combines effort and comfort, escape and terroir. So put on your shoes, grab your flask and let yourself be guided along the trails of Pays de Retz, where every step leads to a wonderful discovery... brewing !
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