Vallée du Cens, Natural valley trail in Nantes, France.
Vallée du Cens is a natural valley running through Nantes with meadows, hedgerows, and wetlands embedded in the urban landscape. A roughly 8-kilometer family trail winds through it with wooden bridges and rest stops along the way.
A chapel in the area was built in the 15th century on the site of an earlier place of worship from the 11th century. The waterways and forests have shaped this landscape for centuries.
The valley serves as a gathering place where locals connect with nature and learn about their local environment through regular community activities. It shows how much residents value and use green spaces within their city.
The trail is easy to find, starting in Orvault near Avenue Felix-Vincent with clear signage throughout. It is beginner-friendly with flat sections and plenty of rest spots to take a break.
Working farms still operate inside the city limits, producing fresh food for the region while protecting the natural environment. Finding active agriculture mixed with nature preservation in the middle of a modern city is quite unusual.
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