Walk, or take the time to explore
Discover the three lakes of the territory. Just a stone's throw from Vitré, the Cantache lake is a vast body of water around which it is good to stroll along 12 circuits from 5 to 25 km. For a day trip, you can opt for the "Barrage de la Cantache" circuit (19 km), which will lead you to Champeaux. This charming village is famous for being the cradle of the Renaissance in Brittany with its incredible collegiate church built in the 16th century by the L'Espinay family. You can also see the castle of this noble Franco-Breton family, the castle of L'Espinay, classified as a historical monument. Do you want to spend some time? Go to the leisure center of the Haute-Vilaine in Saint-M'Hervé where land and water activities await you at the lake of the Haute-Vilaine. Take the opportunity to do the Tour du lac (circuit n° 72) via a 14,5 km course including a 90 meters footbridge above the lake. The lake of Haute-Vilaine is also the starting point of the circuit of Champ Dolent (n° 43). Finally, the lake of Valière will charm you with its rich fauna: sedentary or migratory birds, whistling ducks, cormorants... Observe them at your leisure during the 9 km circuit of Valière (n° 71)
If you like to feel the pine thorns crackling under your feet, explore the Corbière forest. Five minutes from Châteaubourg, this exceptional site of 630 hectares is classified as a Protected Natural Area. The 3.5 km long educational trail, marked out with explanatory panels, promises an exotic and family-friendly walk. On the program: daydreaming in front of the pond of Corbière, exploring around the mill of Corbière and the ruins of the old house of the forest warden or playing hide-and-seek among the trees and hundred-year-old pines accompanied by the song of the birds. Keep your eyes open: you may be lucky enough to spot a common buzzard or a spotted woodpecker, recognizable by its pretty black, white and red plumage. Between the thickets, through the undergrowth, foxes and badgers are also hiding; about fifty protected species live in the forest. Don't miss to take a look at the highest tree of the forest, a Douglas fir of 46 meters! The Corbière forest can also be discovered by mountain bike or on horseback thanks to the trails.
The commune of Le Pertre and its eponymous forest are also a land of hikes. About fifty kilometers of paths will lead you through the surrounding countryside, such as the Circuit de la chapelle Saint-Joseph (3.8 km), the Circuit du Vau Follet (8.2 km) or the Circuit du Bois de Clermont (12.5 km). Built in 2021, the Circuit des Chouettes Savantes (15 km) invites you to discover the natural and architectural heritage of the town, guided by signs decorated with owls. Wild flowers, chapels and eco-grazing land will pleasantly punctuate your walk. You can get the free visit booklet at the town hall. Don't forget your picnic!
In the saddle: a wind of freedom
You don't need to be a top cyclist to appreciate the richness of the cycling circuits in the Pays de Vitré. Starting from Vitré, two greenways are available to you to travel the territory in complete freedom. Following the old railroad line, one will take you to Moutiers (20 km), with a suggested itinerary to reach the medieval city of La Guerche-de-Bretagne; the other one will lead you north to Fougères (26 km). This is an opportunity to stop in the charming town of Châtillon-en-Vendelais. Its pond, of more than 120 hectares, is the refuge of thousands of migratory birds: an ornithological observatory and a pedestrian path make it possible to observe the surrounding nature in all quietness. A few steps from the greenway, linger at the Guinguette de Villanfray to savor delicious local products with the castle of Villanfray in the background.
Another alternative for surveying the Pays de Vitré: the Vélo Promenades. Their particularity: these six loops of 10 to 46 km are mainly on small roads. "Les Moulins" will lead you along the Vilaine river from Châteaubourg while "Aux alentours de Janouse" promises bucolic landscapes from Parcé. Don't hesitate to make several stops to enjoy the heritage along the way. The circuit "Between the railways of yesteryear and today" starting from Argentré-du-Plessis is an opportunity to stroll along the edge of the Moulin Neuf pond or in the charming village of Brielles, just as "The 8 bell towers" allows you to linger in Domalain to enjoy the Carcraon lake and its fishermen's huts, or the Saint-Melaine church (16th-19th century).
When nature blends with heritage
The city centers of the Pays de Vitré also offer real bubbles of nature. In Vitré, a stone's throw from the historic center, the Pré des Lavandières is a bucolic and secret walk. Accessible by a small path in the Rue du Val, it opens onto a green meadow bordered by the Vilaine River and indolent weeping willows. On the opposite bank, the old tannery bears witness to the city's industrial past. The Pré des Lavandières has a surprise in store: a unique view of the Vitré castle. Admire at your leisure the majestic silhouette of this medieval fortress built in the 13th century, its towers and turrets with pointed roofs, its imposing ramparts... The walk continues on the Promenade de la Vilaine, a small path that follows the course of the Vilaine, surrounded by pastures and gardens. Enjoy the calmness of the surroundings before returning to the historic city center of Vitré, its half-timbered houses and its independent stores. The Jardin du Parc, laid out in the 19th century, exudes elegance and romanticism with its English garden, its bandstand and its aviary. A pleasant watering hole and an exceptional 22-meter high California red cedar complete the place. In La Guerche-de-Bretagne, nature offers a return in time. The Jardins de la Mairie, decorated with old rosebushes, offer an original view of the Gothic basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Guerche. To celebrate the 900 years of its market (the oldest in Brittany, a must on Tuesdays!), this city full of character has created a medieval and ecological vegetable garden. A step to add to your peregrinations guerchaises, between strolling in the market and half-timbered houses. In Châteaubourg, the atmosphere is arty in the Ar Milin park. Every year from May to September, this superb arboretum is transformed into an open-air gallery with the "Jardin des Arts" exhibition. About twenty contemporary sculptures punctuate the alleys of the park, some of them interfering in the water spots, all of them sublimating the surrounding vegetation (free entrance). Art is also invited in the city, rightly nicknamed "City of Sculptors", with the educational walk "Parcours des Sculptures" and the geocaching trail "La mine d'Art".
In the area, there is no lack of opportunities to combine historical heritage and nature. 5 km from Vitré, escape to the park of the Château des Rochers-Sévigné, built according to the wishes of the Marquise de Sévigné, a famous 17th century letter writer. The 30 hectares (86 acres) mix French-style gardens designed by Le Nôtre, Louis XIV's gardener, labyrinths and flowered paths with evocative names: "Allée des Lauriers" (Laurel Path), "Allée de l'Infini" (Infinite Path), "Allée de la Solitaire" (Lonely Path)... Overlooking the park, the Gothic castle of Les Rochers-Sévigné (XVth century) houses the Musée des Rochers, dedicated to the life of the marquise. In Val-d'Izé, the park of Bois Cornillé reveals its mysteries. Built in 1872 and then in 1900, it combines the rigor of the French garden with the romanticism of the English garden, while offering the visitor bucolic views of the countryside. The neo-Gothic castle of Bois Cornillé watches over the estate. Although it cannot be visited, it brings a magical touch to your pictures.
USEFUL INFORMATION
When is it?
The Pays de Vitré can be visited in any season, the oceanic climate is mild and sometimes humid. You should bring appropriate equipment. Brittany being a very popular region in summer, the hiking trails can be more popular during this period.
Duration
It is possible to discover the city of Vitré in one day. To explore the surrounding area and take advantage of the hiking trails, lakes and surrounding towns, plan on 2 to 3 additional days.
Budget
The addresses in the Pays de Vitré are suitable for all budgets. Count on 45 to 90 € on average for a night, and from 8,50 to 34 € for a meal in one of the restaurants of the area.
Public
There are many possibilities for discovery: nature lovers and sports aficionados will find what they need. Children will particularly appreciate the water activities, geocaching and hide-and-seek in the forest
The advantages
A richterritory.
Diversified activities for all ages.
Preserved naturallandscapes.
Charming towns on a human scale.
A multitude of educationaltrails, hiking and cycling routes.
On foot, by bike, on horseback: discover the Pays de Vitré in complete freedom.
An area that is easily accessible by car, TGV or even by plane.
The minuses
The weather is sometimes changeable, which can lead you to adapt your program
Lessactivities in low season.
Getting there
By car : Paris-Vitré : 310 km ; Nantes-Vitré : 140 km ; Caen-Vitré : 175 km ; Le Mans-Vitré : 120 km ; Laval-Vitré : 40 km. By train : Paris-Vitré : 1h30 (TGV) ; Rennes-Vitré : 25 min (TER). By plane, Rennes airport : 45 km.
Useful
OFFICE DE TOURISME DU PAYS DE VITRE - More information on the site
Every day (July and August), from Monday to Saturday the rest of the year. Place du Général de Gaulle
35500 Vitré
Phone : 02 99 75 04 46
Hiking
GR®37 : Mont Saint-Michel-Vitré : 155 km. Vitré-Medreac : 123 km.
EQUIBREIZH® : horseback riding "Les Marches de Bretagne", circuits of 152 km or 222 km.
VELOROUTE V9 (coming soon): Nantes-Le Mont Saint-Michel via Vitré on 275 km. Circuits and hiking maps to download on vitrecommunaute.org and bretagne35.com.
