La Loire walks

This is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, but the beautiful panoramas and views of this little-known region are well worth the effort.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.

Discover unspoilt nature south of the Nantes conurbation. A circuit that winds along a stream and the Loire, through marshes and over the heights of the Roche Ballue quarry. You will discover Nantes and its conurbation. You will pass through picturesque little villages in unspoilt countryside.

This route runs beneath the watchful eye of the Château d'Artias, perched on its rocky spur. From its ruins, you will discover a unique view of the loops of the Loire as it flows through the dome-shaped hills typical of the region, known as knolls.

A raised walkway showcasing the various attractions of the Saumur region: the Loire, troglodyte dwellings, vineyards alternating with wooded and marshy areas. Please note that the trail is impassable in the event of flooding of the Loire and/or heavy rainfall.

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.

Starting at the town hall square in Couëron, this circuit quickly leaves the village to reach Lake Beaulieu, offering some beautiful views of the town. After circling the lake and perhaps observing a few birds, it ends along the Loire, which you reach via footpaths. Here you will find Jean-Luc Courcoult's "La maison dans la Loire" (The House in the Loire) and the "Tour à Plomb" (Plumb Tower). Suitable for all seasons, this route is particularly pleasant in the low winter light.

From Chaumont to Candé (an ideal spot for a picnic) along the banks of the Loire and its tributary, the Beuvron. The return journey takes you along a beautiful forest path, through fields and around the Domaine de Chaumont.

A free hike allowing you to discover the different sources of the Loire: "the authentic", "the true" and "the geographical". After climbing Mont Gerbier des Joncs, enjoy the 3km of this easy route.

Megaliths, priory, chapel, church, sailors' houses; the history of Thoureil can be discovered through its buildings and landscapes, linked in their history by the Loire. Hilly route.

The trail starts at the port of Lavau-sur-Loire and takes you to the Observatory with a magnificent view of the marshes and the Loire. The walk then continues to the Étangs du Trou Bleu, a former blue granite quarry. Next, enjoy a country walk to the Fresnier marsh with its canals populated by storks.

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).

From hillsides to valleys to the banks of the Loire. A beautiful walk punctuated by a rich landscape, natural and architectural heritage.

A short, easy loop to discover the Guétin Canal Bridge over the Allier and the Bec d'Allier (confluence of the Loire and Allier rivers), starting from the village of Gimouille.

The circular route starts in Aurec-sur-Loire, following the banks of the Loire and the footbridges of the "Saut du Chien" before climbing up to the village of Malvalette via thePR® "Le Pont d'Angelard". Pass by the Sainte-Reine Chapel on theGR® de Pays des Gorges de la Loire, which takes you back to Aurec via the Rivoire stream valley.

A very pleasant route, mostly along the banks of the Loire. Good view of the Château de Sully and the Basilica of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire.

A very pleasant hike on a varied, well-shaded route, which will take you past lava flows, two castles and Île Neuve. As a main course, there are a few nice climbs to enjoy.

A walk to discover the architectural heritage of Tours. Must-see sites, but also pretty, discreet places that I have discovered over the years.

Located in the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve, at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret rivers, the Pointe de Courpain is known for its cool climate and exceptionally diverse wildlife. You will never tire of admiring the mills on the Loiret river as they change with the seasons.

The Trois Ports hike is signposted and extends to Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert. It is an easy walk along a beautiful path on the banks of the Loire.

Enjoy wild, surprising and charming landscapes on a historical walk starting at the foot of the medieval fortress, overlooking the Loire and passing through a forest steeped in legend.

A short walk along the Loire and through the valley, then along the hillside through the vineyards of Sancerre, following the old railway line connecting Cosne-sur-Loire to Bourges. Beautiful views of the river, the towns of Saint-Satur and Ménétréol, the town of Sancerre, the vineyards and the side canal. Best done in spring or autumn.

In the heart of the Saumur Champigny AOC, between vineyards, wines and troglodyte dwellings. Discover the village of Souzay, its heritage and the diversity of our Loire landscapes.

A route to walk alongside the Loire River as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In Saint-Nazaire-Plage, the seaside promenade is very popular with Nazairians. It is open to the Loire estuary and its maritime traffic. Further on, on the beautiful coastal path, open to the south, and shaded by pine trees, you sometimes have the feeling of being on the edge of the Mediterranean. ⚠️ Hiking poles prohibited on the Nazairian coastal path

Hike through the Baumette floodplains, leading to the confluence of the Loire and Maine rivers. N.B. This hike is only possible during low water periods, from May to October-November. In any case, check in advance.

A beautiful walk offering views of the Loire upstream from the Villerest Dam, with a glimpse of the Château de la Roche. It is not particularly difficult, but half of it is along the road, especially between Pinay, Saint-Jodard and the return to La Vourdiat. The banks of the Loire offer some good spots for a picnic and a quiet break (so please respect the fishermen who are also enjoying the same setting).

Stream: discover the city's historical, architectural and cultural heritage (and even its gastronomic heritage, with its small and large restaurants).

A hilly route along the hillside through the vineyards. Home to a magnificent 14th-century Romanesque church and the Manoir de Morains, where Marguerite d'Anjou is said to have died. Dampierre-sur-Loire is also renowned as a commune in the Saumur-Champigny appellation. Please note: section along the Loire River impassable in case of flooding.

This pleasant walk starts from the Yves Laurent promenade, runs along the Loire and passes through a small, pleasant park with a pond (Clos Saint-Julien).

This route, which takes you up the Loire Gorges for several kilometres, follows a few unmarked paths in a wild and unspoilt environment. Several descents to the banks of the Loire are possible (swimming, fishing) and are indicated in the description. The return via the plateau offers beautiful views.

The route is varied, sometimes overlooking the Loire or running along its banks, sometimes taking forest paths or paths through fields. A superb opportunity to get some fresh air and relax while reliving a page of history.

This circular will take you along the left bank of the Loire to Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. You will cross the castle grounds and its arboretum. The return to Jargeau is via the right bank. This circular route is known as thePR® des deux ponts (Two BridgesPR® ), modified to include access to the Loire Marine Museum and a stroll through the arboretum and the pretty Rhododendron Avenue.

A hike through varied landscapes: overlooking the Loire, vineyards, orchards, fields and forests, all between two villages steeped in history.

A hike that combines part of the circular Boucle des Mariniers and the Sentier du Bec d'Allier in the Cher with the Sentier du Passeur in the Nièvre. Information panels and bird observatories. View of the Bec d'Allier from the left bank, then from the right bank of the Allier with the double crossing of the Guétin canal bridge.

Discover the Ambroise river, the Amasse, a small tributary of the Loire which flows into the river here and which was developed from 1856 onwards to prevent flooding in the town during heavy rains.

A pleasant walk starting from Place Bougainville in St-Brévin-les-Pins, first following the beach southwards, then turning north through the village centre to explore the countryside before returning along the Loire.

A beautiful walk in the Anjou region on the slopes of the Loire. This hike takes you through woods and vineyards and offers superb views of the Loire.

From the unmissable panorama of the Loire at Le Champalud to the ruins of the Citadel of Champtoceaux, via the Coulée de la Luce, a path steeped in legend, you will pass through unspoilt countryside.

Enjoy the Loire and the historical past of Montjean-sur-Loire by hiking past the various lime kilns that made this village the largest port on the Loire in the 18th and 19th centuries. You will also discover some of the thousand mills that once operated in the region. Enjoy a moment in the heart of nature as you walk through vineyards and along small paths. Hiking trail in the municipalities of Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye.

A hilly route combining the Loire, vineyards, forest and troglodyte dwellings. Please note: part of the route along the Loire is impassable in the event of flooding. Take care during the hunting season.

Around the knoll of Bauzon, a young Strombolian volcano, there are numerous hiking trails. This route combines the volcanic part of the area with the discovery of a section of the Atlantic-Mediterranean watershed.

This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.

This beautiful Loire city certainly deserves a more in-depth visit, here it is offered a short discovery loop, a good option for a stopover on a journey between Anjou and Touraine regions.

A family walk between the Loire and the Canal de la Loire. Alternating between woodland, fields and canal banks. The canal banks and locks welcome us with open arms. We can see barges moored on the banks of the Loire, the bird island with the different species of our region and, if we are there at the right time of year, we will be lucky enough to see them nesting. Sandy beaches welcome us for a short break. And finally, we can enjoy the tranquillity of the canal banks.

Located on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, on the border between the Loire and Haute-Loire departments, the Loire Gorges, a 4,000-hectare nature reserve, charms visitors with its peaceful wooded landscapes, remarkable flora and fauna, rocky outcrops, beautiful Lake Grangent, medieval castles and traditional villages.

Dominated by its Romanesque church, a former Benedictine priory, the village of Cunault was a place of pilgrimage and renowned fairs in the Middle Ages and until the end of the 19th century, an important port on the Loire specialising, like its neighbouring (and twin) port of Trèves, in the shipment of tuffeau stone. Steep slope at the start, then flat, shaded paths.

A pleasant and easy hike offering varied landscapes. We walk along the Loire for over a kilometre before turning away from it to enter the forest, admire the beautiful Château de Chenailles, then return to Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel via the ponds.

This is a walk that will allow you to discover our beautiful city of Nantes, its remarkable sites, monuments, narrow streets and "secret" passages. You will also have the pleasure of taking a "real" 20-minute cruise on the Loire to see a superb colourful village.

The Prépieux Pond serves as a bird sanctuary and is a great place to observe local and migratory birds.