Oudon is home to the medieval Château d’Oudon, which is classified as a historic monument. Its polygonal tower has wide openings overlooking the Loire. The keep is 32.5 metres high; the highlight of the visit is the view from its summit over the Hâvre Valley.
History and Culture
The Duke of Malestroit, Lord of Oudon, had his château rebuilt from 1392 onwards. The Château de Vieille Cour in Oudon is a medieval castle ruin built in the second half of the 13th century. It offers guided tours for groups of 10 or more by arrangement throughout the year.
Landscape and Water
The Hâvre Valley winds its way between forests and meadows and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The circular trail through the Hâvre Valley is 6.3 km long; the stated walking time is 1 hour and 50 minutes.
The Loire near Oudon is considered a river for leisure activities. From Oudon, it can be explored aboard La Luce. At the Plan d’eau, there is access for fishing as well as a car park on Chemin du Rio.
Art and Crafts
The sculpture trail in Oudon currently comprises around forty works created during the sculpture symposia. Oudon’s monumental sculpture trail passes through shady parks, along the marina and beside the Hâvre River. A biennial schedule was planned for the monumental sculpture symposium in Oudon from 1999 onwards; five sculptors from around the world were to create a work in the castle courtyard and then exhibit it in the town.
The Maison des Créateurs in Oudon is open to visitors and includes an exhibition area for artists and craftspeople from outside the workshop. Five permanently based craftspeople display their work there and work on site. The Maison des Créateurs also organises creative workshops focusing on crafts.
Getting Around
A loop of the Loire à Vélo route passes through Oudon. L.A. Kayak provides cycling equipment and navigation equipment and offers the option of combining a half-day or full-day cycling tour with canoeing. Oudon TER station has a ticket machine.
Village Life
Oudon’s Sunday market offers fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, crêpes, bread and prepared foods.
Les écuries de la Tour is located in the centre of the village of Oudon, opposite the leisure complex and close to the Loire riverbank. It offers riding lessons, hacks, and introductions to vaulting and carriage driving for children and adults. Les écuries de la Tour also offers pony rides and Shetland pony hire for fairs and other celebrations.
Those choosing Oudon for a stay may be planning to rent a holiday apartment.
