CIRCUIT VÉLO "LES MOULINS DU LOIR"

TO DISCOVER ON THE WAY... On the commune of Seiches-sur-le-Loir : You will cross the forest of Boudré which is mainly composed of pines and which extends on more than 200 hectares in the Loop of the Loir. This vast natural area is a real place of calm and tranquility, conducive to walking and observation of exceptional fauna and flora. An interpretation trail of 8 to 12 km allows you to discover the richness of this protected environment You will then admire the magnificent Château du Verger, built at the end of the 15th century by Pierre de Rohan, whose imposing remains, recently restored, make it a jewel Towards the banks of the Loir, you will arrive in the pretty hamlet of Matheflon. Everything suggests that the Matheflon mill is the oldest and most important flour mill in the region. It must have worked for several centuries with three pairs of millstones, as a wheat mill under the dependence of the families of Mathefelon then Durtal. The mill ceased to operate continuously from 1930 The Chapel of Our Lady of Good News, which is open during the European Heritage Days, overlooks the Loir. Foulques Nerra had a castle built to "subdue the felons", a term which gave rise to "Matheflon". It would have been built in the 11th century as a simple wooden dungeon overlooking the Loir, replaced by a windmill in 1770, and became a chapel in 1870, in neo-gothic style The old village of Matheflon has some beautiful old houses, as well as some very old troglodyte cellars. In the commune of Corzé : Of very ancient origin, the current construction of the Moulin de la Motte, an old water mill, has the characteristics of the 15th century in some of its parts It had 4 wheels and was used to crush wheat, tan and later hemp. It was doubled by a windmill which took over when the floods did not allow the first one to work anymore. In 1480, the Motte de Corzé became a seigneury and then a former noble residence In the commune of Villevêque : The Museum-Castle of Villevêque and its park are open to visitors all year round, on weekends from 2 to 6 pm. The former residence of the bishops of Angers has survived centuries of wars, looting and has passed through different owners. The last of them, Daniel Duclaux, had an impressive an impressive medieval collection of which some works are exhibited in the castle The mill of Villevêque : L'Engrenage, is open from the end of April to the end of June and September, on weekends from 3pm to 6pm. And in July and August from Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm to 7pm. This 13th century water mill produced flour, paper and oil before before producing electricity. Its mechanism, wheel and gears are still in use. In summer, take advantage of a guided tour to see demonstrations of how to stop the wheel! The gearing also hosts exhibitions and events for young people throughout the year. Swimming in Villevêque is permitted from 27 June to 31 August from Tuesday to Friday from 2.30pm to 7pm and at weekends from 1pm to 8pm. At the edge of the Loir is a beach equipped for swimming in summer. A picnic area picnic area and games is installed nearby and water sports activities are organized all the summer. On the commune of Soucelles : The Dolmen de la Pierre Cesée dates from the Neolithic period and is the source of a legend telling that a fairy would have left her footprint on it, several centuries ago. On the commune of Montreuil-sur-Loir : The Castle Montreuil is also open during the European Heritage Days It is a private castle of the nineteenth century neo-Gothic style, built by the famous Angevin architect René Hodé. It dominates the valley of the Loir which flows at the foot of its agricultural park of 7 hectares, its location is admirable And as you go down the path to the port, take the time to take the ferry that you will handle yourself to cross the Loir and discover the Moulin de Vaux, admire the view of the hillside and the castle from the other bank. Open from April 3rd to November 1st, free access SERVICES Toilets in the villages of Seiches, Corzé, Villevêque, Soucelles and Montreuil-sur-Loir. Picnic tables: - Seiches, Parc des Vallées, along the Loir in Matheflon and at the car park in the forest of Boudré - Corzé, along the Loir - Villevêque, along the Loir, near the mill - Montreuil, in front of the church and along the Loir at the ferry Loop available on the "Cirkwi" application