Surrounding Area

La Gacilly region

Our diverse region of waterways and nature, steeped in history and legend, offers  both a relaxing stay and a host of activities.

Our lively villages enjoy events throughout the calendar, and the tourist offices of La Gacilly, Redon, Guer etc are there to help you make the most of your leisure time.  Their brochures and leaflets can also be found at Clos du Tay for your perusal.

Redon region

La Gacilly

The Vegetarium and Botanical Gardens

Yves Rocher invites you to visit its Botanical Gardens, with more than 1000 varieties of plant on show near its production site.  The plants, their uses and their therapeutic properties are fully explained whilst you take in the wonderful aroma of the flowers.  The Vegetarium is the first European museum of its kind dedicated to the world of plants.

The town of artists and artisans

You can discover the skills of local artisans on La Gacilly’s flowered streets.  They fashion everyday objects and decorative items from a variety of materials such as stone, earthenware, wood, leather, metal and flowers.  In total about 30 artisans have their establishments here, making La Gacilly

a village devoted to creativity and beauty 

L’Ile aux Pies  6 km

The river Oust has created an outstanding area,  classified as a site of natural beauty, amongst the granite faults and rock schist.  With way marked footpaths, rock climbing, mountain biking, and canoeing, not to mention insect, batrachian (frog and toad) and bird spotting, the Ile aux Pies is a large well-preserved  basin of natural beauty.

The area can be accessed by electric boats from the port of La Gacilly.

Summer events

“Les mercredis du Grand Site”: Wednesday night concerts, cinema, music-themed walks etc

Carentoir and the Knights Templar  5km

Home to the former seat of the largest Templar order in Brittany, which became the Knights of the Hospital and eventually the Knights of Malta.  They have left their mark and you can follow their traces on the “Circuit des Templiers”.

Well worth a visit is the Templar church of St John the Baptist, founded in the 12th Century. The church is home to a recumbent wooden statue from the 14th Century and important heritage items from (altarpieces, paintings, statues) dating from the 16th to the 18th Century.

Guided tours in July and August.  

The Nantes Brest canal

The canal crosses the whole of Brittany and used to be an important commercial waterway.  Today the canal is used for leisure purposes, with many different activities available.

The towpath, along which horses would pull boats full of merchandise, is ideal for walking, horse riding, cycling and riding one of our donkeys.

You can also canoe, fish and hire a cruise boat along the canal.

Megalithic site of Saint-Just

15km from La Gacilly, the megalithic site of landes de Cojoux is one of the most important in Europe due to the diversity of monuments found here.

Discover the ancient history of this remarkable site (from 5000BC to today) on a tour of the area.

You can find information on local countryside and the megaliths, as well as a walking map, at La Maison Nature et Mégalithes in the village centre of Saint-Just.

Links to a few sites in the La Gacilly area

Non exhaustive list

The Vegetarium 

First European museum of its kind dedicated to plants.

 The Botanical Garden

Guided tours of a garden with more than 1000 varieties, their uses and their therapeutic properties.

www.yves-rocher-fondation.org

The Artists and Artisans of La Gacilly

Stroll through the colourful flowered streets of La Gacilly and discover the impressive work of the artists and artisans who, for more than 30 years, have given La Gacilly its international renown.

www.gacilly.com

Day Boats in La Gacilly

Hire of electric cruise boats.

A relaxing cruise of discovery on a quiet river launch.  Meander along the magnificent waterways of the lower valley of the Oust

www.day-boats.com

La Ferme du Monde (World Farm)

400 animals from the five continents live in semi-liberty in a wooded park, enjoying nature’s calm and tranquillity.  The farm is in Carentoir, located around a 16th Century manor house, and is an enjoyable as well as an educational experience.  There are picnic areas and guided tours in a small train

www.lafermedumonde.com

Megalithic Site of Saint-Just

The megalithic site of landes de Cojoux is one of the most important in Europe due to the diversity of monuments found here.

www.landes-de-cojoux.com

Tropical Park

Discover one of the largest exotic parks in Europe, where animals, plants and exotic birds form part of the scenery.

Tour the tropics in just two hours.

www.tropical-parc.fr

Branféré Park

A park of excitement and discovery, several hundred years old.  Stroll amongst animals from all over the world.

Nicolas Hulot School

www.branfere.com

Adventure Park

Fun and adventure on the menu at this park.  Rope bridges, pulleys, rides…thrills up in the tree tops.  The staff are friendly and everyone can go at their own pace.

Different adventure courses for children and for adults.

 www.aventure-parc.fr

The Nantes Brest Canal

The canal crosses the whole of Brittany and used to be an important commercial waterway.  Today the canal is used for leisure purposes.

The towpath, along which horses would pull boats full of merchandise, is ideal for walking, horse riding, cycling, and walks with one of our donkeys.

www.canal.nantes.brest.free.fr

Bretagne Plaisance

Hire a small cruise boat for 2 to 10 people and discover the flora and fauna of the Nantes - Brest Canal, the Vilaine, the Oust and the Aff.

Departs from Redon with a variety of routes available.

www.bretagneplaisance.fr

Le Clos du Tay

Bed and Breakfast, Gastronomic Dining, Gîtes/Holiday Cottages

Tel: 33 (0) 2 99 08 04 25

info@closdutay.com