- Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu is a town with a diffuse habitat, bordered by woods and vines (Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu), ideally located between town and countryside, only 15 km from Nantes. It is part of Nantes Métropole, like 23 other municipalities in the Nantes conurbation.
- Name of the inhabitants: the Aignanais (es).
- Thüngersheim, twin city: Saint-Aignan-de-Grand-Lieu is twinned with the municipality of Thüngersheim in Bavaria (Germany, 2,682 inhabitants).
- Latitude: 47 ° 07 min 28 sec; Longitude: 01 ° 37 mn 46 sec; Altitude: Highest point 29 m - D2A Nantes-Atlantique - Lowest point 2 m - Shores of Lake Grand Lieu.
- Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu, a green lung of the Nantes agglomeration: Close to the town of Saint-Aignan and its residential areas, the lake of Grand Lieu is hidden. The oldest and largest plain lake in France is a large nature reserve, classified Natura 2000, protected for its flora and fauna. The town has interesting assets for green tourism enthusiasts, with:
- The Pierres Aiguës site, one of the only and most beautiful access points to the lake, offering the widest panoramic view;
- More than 20 kilometers of hiking trails, to be covered on foot, on horseback or by bicycle;
- Numerous wooded areas, very partially accessible, part of which is integrated into an urban forest perimeter serving as a carbon sink for the Nantes conurbation.
- Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu, an important economic center: The town benefits from the economic dynamics of the airport area, with a significant industrial center, from the artisanal zone of Bois Cholet, many craftsmen, liberal professions, traders.
- Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu, a recognized associative and cultural wealth: The town also has a strong associative dynamic, thanks to the many volunteers invested in the various leisure and sports sections. It is also a town with recognized cultural development, thanks to a rich and diversified annual program, appreciated as much by Aignanais (es) as by audiences of the Nantes agglomeration and the Department.
- Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu, an architectural heritage worthy of interest: In addition to a dense natural heritage, thanks in particular to the presence of the lake of Grand Lieu, Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu is characterized by a architectural richness, witness to the history of the town. Among the main sites:
- The presbytery: Built towards the end of the 19th century, this property stands out for its surface area, the architecture of its building, the quality of its park and its cedars. Its position, in the heart of the village, makes it possible to host festive events in its park, such as the music festival. A rehabilitation project is underway so that this presbytery constitutes the future gateway to the tales and legends of the shores of Grand Lieu.
- The Château de Saint-Aignan: Stronghold of the Rousseau family from Saint-Aignan since feudal times, it was built in 1610. Julie Rousseau, poetess friend of Stendhal, lived there in the 19th century and wrote many texts under the pseudonym of Jules d'Herbauges.
- The castle of Souché: In the shade of the large forests hides a 12th century property. Formerly landlocked in the forest of Touffou, Souché was partly deforested by the potters. They used the wood for cooking pottery. The symbolic band of the coat of arms of the Châtellerie de Souché (dating from the 16th century) represents a knight's scarf and clovers are given to those who have large meadows where many cattle graze.
- La Plinguetière castle: This 19th century brick castle is now owned by the Loire Atlantique departmental committee of the UFCV (French Union of Vacation and Leisure Centers). It is both a leisure center for children (Wednesdays and school holidays) and a reception center for companies (seminars, professional meetings), schoolchildren (discovery classes), seniors, athletes... Accommodation (rooms in the castle and chalets) and on-site catering. Its 8 hectare park, with a fitness trail, is open to everyone.
- La Piéta: The white Calvary, which dates from the 19th century, located in the heart of the village, 33 rue des Frères Rousseau, is called "Croix de la Pitié".
- The Saint-Rachoux fountain: A place of legend and pilgrimage, the water from the miraculous fountain was said to have the power to heal Rache, the Breton name for Tinea (frequent milk scab in infants). In the 19th century, some two hundred pilgrimages a year brought mothers and children to the fountain and to the church.
- The church: Founded in the 9th century, it was completely restored in 1658, then in 1884. Inside, several objects classified as "Historic monuments" are remarkable, such as the High Altar and its gilded paneling, the wooden statue of Saint-Aignan, the altarpiece of the Virgin or the "Pauline" bell.
- The organ, unique of its kind in the Department: At the end of 1996, the town decided to build a German baroque polyphonic pipe organ, handcrafted, inaugurated in 2000. Since then, Saint-Aignan de Grand Lieu hosts prestigious concerts in its church, particularly as part of the Spring Arts Festival.
- The gateway to Saint-Aignan: It was built in 1993 and reminds us of the legend of the "City of Herbauges", engulfed by the waters of the lake. The legend of the submerged city: "Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a rich and prosperous city named" Herbavilla ". The inhabitants of this city lived in debauchery and lust. The Bishop of Orleans, Félix, decided to send his deacon, Martin, to try to bring the inhabitants back on the right path. Martin was very badly received by the angry inhabitants. He was badly beaten and left for dead. He was however miraculously saved by a brave man. couple who look after him and hide him the time of his healing. God, angry at so much wickedness, then warns Martin in a dream to run away with the couple and especially not to look back. "Then sprang from the Peninsula of Dun en Saint-Aignan a jet of flames, ashes and water which annihilates the city. "Terrible cataclysm, the earth trembles, collapses. The man and woman who accompanied Martin, however warned, turn around, and there they are instantly turned into blocks of stone. s see: these are the two menhirs located in Pont-Saint-Martin on the banks of the Ognon. The next morning, the sun rises in a clear blue sky, over a vast lake with calm and clear waters: the city of Herbavilla no longer exists ".
