Curiosities of La Bernerie en Retz !!!

Posted in Bretagne, France

And back on my local road warrior mode, this time going south to old Brittany in the Loire Atlantique dept 44 of the new Pays de la Loire region. A wonderful coastal trip of my belle France just south of me with plenty of architecture, history, and beaches, Let me tell you about the Curiosities of La Bernerie en Retz !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The town of La Bernerie en Retz is part of historic Brittany, in the traditional country of the country of Retz and in the historic country of the Nantes. Located 36 km from Saint-Nazaire ,46 km from Nantes, and 150 km from my house.

The Pays de Retz or country of Retz extends to the department of Loire-Atlantique 44. It is one of the traditional countries of Brittany of the Ancien Régime (monarchy), erected as barony then as a duchy. The country of Retz was the stronghold of the different families of the lords of Retz, most of whom were not Breton, and who have followed families since the 11C, The Pays de Retz was one of the main fiefs of Gilles Retz, companion in arms of Jeanne d’Arc and Maréchal de France. It was also the stronghold of the Gondi family, of Italian origin, located in France under the regency of Catherine de Médicis in the 16C, and for whom it became duchy. It was still one of the main places of deployment of the Vendée wars during the French revolution. The country of Retz is currently made up of 40 towns, therefore, Villeneuve-en-Retz, composed of the old town of Bourgneuf-en-Retz, itself encompassing the ancient village of Saint-Cyr-en-Retz, and the old town of Fresnay-en-Retz, Also, La Bernerie en Retz, Pornic and Préfailles,(see posts).

The Château de la Gressière (1879), located rue de la Noue-Fleurie. The Lord of La Gressière was mentioned in the 11C. The former medieval fortress, now disappeared, had some fortifications. The castle then went to the Carte de Boisfoucault in 1751. The second of this family, Arthur who died without heir, had the current castle built. It belongs to the Roger de Boüard family of Laforest until 1984 when the city bought in 1985 and became a restaurant hotel.

La Bernerie en Retz Chateau de la Gressiere front mar24

La Bernerie en Retz Chateau de la Gressiere side right inside mar24

The Les Halles is the traditional market, and takes place all year round, Friday from 8h to 13h, During the summer period from June 15 to September 15, Tuesday from 8h to 13h, and the Craft markets, from 18h, every Thursday (except July 14).

La Bernerie en Retz Les Halles mar24

The Mairie or City hall is located at 16 rue Georges Clemenceau is of recent construction but nevertheless a nice architectural design indeed,

La Bernerie en Retz Hotel de ville mar24 Other things to see in La Bernerie en Retz are the Port Saint-Jacques (Maison de Maïté). Villa Sainte-Croix, built around 1890. Villa La Garenne, a large building built in the 19C overlooking the cliffs of the Patorie. Ceded in the 1980s to the Association Vie et Créativity La Garenne which received sea classes and families.

A bit of history I like tell us that in the Middle Ages, the Bernerie is part of the parish of Moutiers. It is a fishing village, protected by the Château de la Gressière, which develops with the withdrawal of the sea at the bottom of the bay. In 1863, La Bernerie en Retz was finally erected in a distinct town. In 1875, the Nantes-Pornic rail line was opened. And from that moment, the town will become one of the busiest seaside resorts on the coast, a seaside resort qualified as a family. The town is crossed by the Guérande-Saint-Nazaire-Pornic-Bourgneuf axis called the Route Bleue road, RD 213, connecting Guérande to Moutiers-en-Retz by serving La Baule, Saint-Nazaire and Pornic.

The Pornic tourist office on La Bernerie en Retz : https://en.pornic.com/la-bernerie-en-retz-la-bernerie-pornic-destination-la-bernerie-en-retz.html

The town of La Bernerie en Retz on its heritage: https://mairie-labernerie.fr/decouvrir/

There you go folks, a short but pleasant trip to the beautiful old Bretagne, that is Loire Atlantique dept 44.  The sea at its best, nice monuments, and pleasant road warrior driving were all that was needed, we have been back !!!! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Curiosities of La Bernerie en Retz as I.

And remember happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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