From Gien to Briare

The bus departs from Gien station, where you can park for free or arrive directly by train from Paris-Bercy or Nevers.

(S) Head south and take Avenue de la République, Rue de Paris, Rue Thiers and Rue Victor Hugo to reach Quai Maréchal Joffre.

(1) Turn left. The Loire is on your right and will remain so until you reach Briare. Follow the quay and, after about 200 metres, take the path on the right, closest to the river.

(2) The path is interrupted by a fitness area located below the swimming pool, which is not yet visible. You must then go up to the left to Quai de Nice across a small lawn, then turn right to go around the swimming pool. After the swimming pool, go down to the right to rejoin the extension of the path you left earlier.

(3) Turn left and pass under the road bridge. Continue along a fitness trail. A small lake on your left indicates that you are on the right path. Continue along the Loire, ignoring any paths that lead away from the river.

(4) The path enters a wooded area. Do not take the path that branches off to the right; continue on the main path. This path moves away from the Loire.

(5) The path passes near a water treatment centre. There is also a kind of lock. Turn right towards the water treatment centre, then right again to follow the canal on your right. The path then bends to the left and approaches the Loire again. It continues between the Loire and a campsite.

(6) At the end of the campsite, the road turns left; take a footbridge on the right. This leads to a lock. Cross the small bridge between the lock and the Loire. Climb up to the promontory opposite to admire the view of the Loire. Continue along the path that runs alongside the Loire.

(7) At a fork, take the small road on the left that goes uphill. This road leads to the port of Briare. Continue along Quai Alexis Tchekoff until you reach a crossroads.

(8) Turn left, cross the Trézée and the canal (9) and follow Boulevard Buyser to the Hôtel du Cerf (E).

Accommodation in Briare: Hôtel du Cerf.

To return to Gien by train, pass the hotel on Boulevard Buyser. At the roundabout, turn right onto Avenue Yver Bapterosses and then almost immediately left onto Rue de Verdun, which leads to Briare station.

Another option for returning to Gien: Rémi buses, line no. 3, which can be taken on Boulevard Buyser, just after the bridge over the canal. Rémi bus line no. 3 timetable.

In Gien:
The pottery museum
The castle museum

In Briare:
The canal bridge