The lake : Rillé
Rillé

The lake : Rillé

Exceptional views
Fauna
Flora
Forest
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Visit the lake banks near the village of Rillé and soak up the stunning scenery, flora and fauna and even hop on a 100 year old steam train !
To see, to discover
  • Channay-sur-Lathan Quarry Museum
This geological site is owned by the Regional Council and was a shelly sand quarry extracting the fossil-rich rock that was once used to repair land and cover paths. Information panels introduce you to the site’s geological history listed as a Sensitive Nature Site.
  • Hommes lake
Ideal for relaxing and swimming in the great outdoors (lifeguard in summer). The bar opens from June 15th to September 15th so you can sate your appetite. Volleyball court, Dance floor, fishing, diving lessons, bike paths around the lake and running.
  • Cycling loops
There are 3 cycling loops from the lake so you can put your best pedal forward with family or friends. You can either cycle around the lake or visit nearby sites and villages.

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Description

  1. Pincemaille
    Reach the water’s edge. Be careful when you cross the railway line: a train may be hidden behind another. Turn right and follow the banks. Here and there along your way you’ll see wooden structures put in place to brighten up your outing.
  2. Classification yard
    After about 500 m on a quick return trip, head right to see the classification yard home to a dozen trains including two steam trains. Every summer you’ll be greeted by a group of enthusiasts to relive bygone times and listen to the train whistle during a trip.
  3. Lake’s left bank
    Go back to the lake’s edge and take a right again. It covers 260 hectares in total and is split into two lakes : Pincemailles reservoir and Mousseaux Lake. Their water comes from the Lathan which was built in 1977 to irrigate farmlands in the Authion basin in Anjou...
  4. Arrault Mill
    At the Arrault Mill crossroads at the end of the lake, take a left to reach the opposite bank. On the right, the trail leads you to the town of Rillé. Before you reach the village you’ll see a winter washhouse whose water comes from the socalled Saint-Loup fountain... and a summer washhouse on the banks of the Lathan. You’ll also see the remnants of a former rampart on the right which was once protected by wide moats.
  5. Rillé
    In central Rillé go right then left to see Saint-Loup Church. It was built between the 11th and 16th century and is home to the relics of Saint Lupus (Saint-Loup in French) and Saint Urban I who attracted countless pilgrims in the 13th century.
  6. Fortified gate
    Return to the main road and be sure to gaze at the 13th century fortified gate before going back towards the lake. It was the gate to a bygone feudal castle. The primitive castle’s wooden tower probably stood on the hill that now has a calvary.
  7. Lake’s right bank
    Go back to Arrault Mill, turn right then left and along the lake’s banks. It’s not unusual to catch 20 kg carp here. There are lots of species of fish, pike, zander and largemouth bass in these waters that are 2 m deep on average peaking at 5 m in the old bed in the middle of the lake.
  8. Petit-Pincemaille
    When you get to the dyke after the so-called PetitPincemaille site (penny-pincher) cross the road and head into the woods to get onto an educational trail about the lake’s nature. Take a left at a small road to reach the observatory.
  9. Observatory
    Stunning views of the wild lake and its ornithological reserve await you in the observatory. Pincemaille Lake is part of the Natura 2000 network with over 200 species of bird spotted here. We’re just a few leagues from the Maine-et-Loire region.
  10. Dyke
    Go back on yourself and take the dyke to reach the opposite side of the lake. Turn left and go between the railway and Huttopia campsite with its original accommodation in huts, shacks and gypsy caravans. A real change of scene.
  11. Railway line
    Before finishing your trip, stop at Rillé station where the only steam train in the region departs and terminates. In summer there’s a departure every 45 minutes on this 3 km railway line. Over 140 members running the Rillé Train Association have made it a real institution in Indre-et-Loire. Bon voyage.
  • Departure : Car park of Rillé lake
  • Arrival : Car park of Rillé lake
  • Towns crossed : Rillé

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Information desks

19, rue Thiers, 37130 Langeais

https://www.tourainenature.com/infotourainenature@gmail.com02 47 96 58 22

16, pl. de l’église, 37140 Bourgueil

https://www.tourainenature.com/infotourainenature@gmail.com02 47 97 91 39

Access and parking

The yellow-signposted trail starts at Pincemaille car park around 1 km from Rillé town centre towards La Pellerine.

Parking :

Rillé lake car park

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