Along the Loire in Roanne

Park near the rescue centre between the canal and the Loire.

(S/E) Head towards the Loire, heading east. Very soon, turn right and, at the banks of the Loire, turn left to take the “Sentier Loire Nature”. Continue to follow the path as it bends twice, first to the left then to the right.

(1) Ignore the path on the left and continue to the right, following the Loire. Go under the A7 road and continue eastwards, passing the sewage treatment plant on your left (no odour issues on the day I was there). Continue along the "Sentier Loire Nature".

(2) Turning left: option for a first shortcut by joining point 8.
Continue to the right, following the Loire.

(3) If you turn left: there is a shortcut to point 7.
Continue straight ahead, then, after 200 m, ignore a path on the left. Turn right towards the north to continue along the Loire. Ignore a path starting on the left.

(4) Turn right and follow the path between the sandpit on your left and the Loire on your right. The path veers westwards, runs alongside the Gravières de Matel and approaches the shooting range.

(5) Before reaching the shooting range, continue left to walk alongside it and join the stretch of road leading to the Roanne Canal at Digoin.

(6) Follow the canal south-eastwards. As you walk along the canal, you will pass the Pont Vadon, Château Matel and the Pont de Matel on your right.

(7) After the Pont Gardet, take the Allée Jules Clerjon de Champagny.

(8) Pass the junction for the first shortcut and continue along this lane, which curves gently south-west until it passes under the A7 road. The lane continues along the canal to the car park at the start (S/E).

The Matel Gravel Pits cover an area of over 30 hectares, where nature lovers come throughout the year to admire iconic birds such as the Common Tern, the Crested Grebe and the Black-headed Gull...