TRAVEL NOTEBOOKS
ALONG THE LOIRE VALLEY WITH BOATERS
Hiking and walking are among the favorite leisure activities of the French people and
what could be more attractive than discovering the Loire by boat with the Loire Valley boaters, which will be an opportunity for you to discover unique places with radiant
landscapes coupled with a rich and diverse heritage that bears witness to our history.
Crossing four territories which are respectively the Auvergne Rhône Alpes, Bourgogne Franche Comté, Centre and Pays De La Loire regions, the Loire River, whose source takes effect at an altitude of 1404 meters on the southern slope of
Mont Gerbier de Jonc in the Ardèche department, extends over more than 1006 kilometers while harmoniously crossing
the 4 regions concerned before reaching the Atlantic Ocean in the estuary located to the west of the Pays De La Loire
region.The longest river in France, complete with easily accessible natural spaces and places to visit, accommodation and leisure activities, the Loire often offers visitors surprises at every step that are also pleasant to discover during
tours and crossings aboard traditional flat-bottomed boats which are an integral part of the landscapes of the Loire
Valley which is found along the river
particularly in the Centre region in the departments of Loir et Cher and Indre Et
Loire. Well-suited for river navigation while taking into account the geological characteristics of the river comprising a
shallow draft supplemented by currents, islands and sandy beaches,these boats are mainly listed in number 3 which are 1 / the toue or toue cabanée traditionally used for fishing and trips and which can carry up to 20 people 2 / the futreau
is smaller in size and well suited for fishing and navigation for one bank to the other and finally the barge whose larger
size,varying from 15 to 30 meters,was formerly used for the transport of goods, particularly from the 13th to the 19th
century when the traditional Loire navigation was a common mode of transport. Often grouped into associations, the
boaters Loire residents, true worthy heirs of the Loire sailors and captain guides of the river circuits and itineraries, take youcrisscross and follow the course of the Loire,whether individually or with families during outings groups that delight
young and old,
discovering these unique places is pure wonder
because, besides this pleasant feeling of freedom,you
can stop at any time to either admire its gentle undulating banks which mark its course or stroll in an unusual place
linked to the rich history of the river and its tributaries while being close to nature visible in its pure state.
The Worthy Heirs of the Sailors of the Loire
Endowed with radiant landscapes where magical and enchanting colors appear at sunrise, the Loire also has in its environment a magnificently preserved architectural heritage, witness to our history that we observe while visiting
places like Candes Saint Martin or during stops at the top of its bridges
in addition to harmoniously flowered villages and towns such as Langeais, Amboise, Chaumont Sur Loire or even Blois which are pleasant to visit while wandering
through their streets and alleys, often decorated with typical architecture dotted with brightly colored flowers.The
practice of local leisure activities is a permanent feature found in this radiant territory alongside an active cultural life with events throughout the year, complementing the discovery of local traditions, particularly wine-growing traditions, which are clearly identified along the routes, or even the presentation and promotion of artisanal products made with
traditions and know-how by local craftsmen. Another specificity that is pleasant to contemplate in these places
expressing all the diversity of our terroirs is
the richness and variety of its fauna and flora
to admire birds such as the Little Egret, the Little Tern, the Cormorant and the Osprey,as well as other animal species listed and reintroduced in the 1970s, including European beavers. Traveling the Loire aboard flat-bottomed boats is an enriching experience that
allows you to discover places preserved in their original state or combining both unique and welcoming places where it is good to stop, rest stops designed for conviviality, accommodation or even breaks between 2 walks and circuits completed by natural spaces that we never tire of discovering where culture, history, art of living and harmony of landscapes are constantly combined.
Report: Gabriel PAGE
Photos Credit: Gabriel PAGE / Getty Images
