Nantes - Surroundings

Excursion boats ply on the lower course of the river Erdre, to the north of the town of Nantes; trips into the Erdre valley are particularly popular. Along the river are a number of elegant houses, like the 16th century Château de la Gacherie on the west bank.

31km/19mi northeast of Nantes is the little town of Champtoceaux, on the left bank of the Loire, with a beautiful church and a ruined medieval castle. Oudon, on the right bank, has a keep dating from around 1400.