Multi-activity holiday - Beginner level

A family weekend discovering the treasures of the Loire

2 days - 1 night

A family weekend discovering the treasures of the Loire

€260 per adult

With family or friends, 2 days in nature that will allow you to discover the Loire and its secrets accompanied by a naturalist guide.
A nature holiday that promises you a true discovery of the Loire, accompanied by Olivier, a naturalist guide specializing in birds, dragonflies and all the other little creatures of the Loire riverbanks!

The Loire, the longest river in France, often called the last wild river in Europe, is a magnificent river. You will be traveling through a Natura 2000 protected area. Natura 2000 encompasses natural sites across Europe identified for the rarity or fragility of their wild animal and plant species and their habitats.

Balzac considered it to be "the most beautiful sky in the world above our heads".

This is the Loire in Burgundy, not the one with the castles, not the one with the gorges a little further upstream, but the one with the bocage, still young and capricious, with its islands scattered everywhere and its elegant meanders.

You'll begin your journey by canoe on the first day: remarkable landscapes will unfold before you, where the flora and fauna will make your stay truly memorable. Glide along the water, and you might even spot some species, such as Common Terns, Grey Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Great Crested Grebes, Sand Martins, and many other remarkable birds. Canoeing on the Loire is an activity suitable for families as well as groups of friends: you need to be in sync and on the same wavelength, otherwise, you won't make any progress! This often leads to some good laughs, because it's not always easy to stay in control of your boat and your course!

Then, we suggest a second day of cycling, partly along the towpaths of the Roanne to Digoin canal and partly on the greenway from Iguerande to Briennon, which also runs alongside the Loire River. An easy, safe route, accessible to both children and adults. The greenway will allow you to make a short detour to Charlieu where you can visit some sights, or simply enjoy the village's beautiful central square from a café terrace.

  • Destination
  • Start time
    Briennon (42720)
  • Departure time
    9:00
  • Arriving time
    17:00
  • Equipment
    Bring appropriate clothing for each activity.
1
Day 1

On the banks of the Loire between Iguerande and Mably 

You will be welcomed at Bougres d'Ânes in Melay in the early afternoon. Then, equipped with nets and magnifying glasses, you will set off on foot to discover the inhabitants of the riverbed and banks. You will learn about their roles and their surprising diversity (dragonflies, crustaceans, reptiles, amphibians, not forgetting the many mammals like the beaver...). Your naturalist guide, a specialist in wetlands, will have you wading and exploring the water to search for a wide variety of aquatic species, all while moving along the river. You will deepen your knowledge of the Loire ecosystem, learning to decipher its "secrets" as you stroll along the banks: a wealth of information accessible to everyone, and even while learning, you'll also have fun!

 

 

2
Day 2

On the banks of the Loire between Iguerande and Mably 

Then, the following morning, very early for the early birds and later for those less so, Olivier invites you to discover the migratory wildlife that inhabits the banks of the Loire in spring. The last wild river in France, it is the stage for an explosion of unexpected life. These outings are also a great opportunity to try your hand at wildlife photography and capture some excellent shots. Walking is the preferred method of exploration, but there's no need to be an experienced hiker. Observing the flora and fauna (birds, insects, etc.) is done with appropriate equipment, guided by a professional and passionate guide.

You will need :

Sufficient water for the whole group.
Appropriate clothing for each activity depending on the weather (boots, clothing for outdoor activities).
Shower gel and shampoo are not provided by the accommodations.

You will not need:

Towels, sheets or sleeping bags in guest rooms.
all observation equipment provided by the guide.

BED AND BREAKFAST PACKAGE (based on 2 days / 1 night):

For 2 people sharing the same room:

260 € per person.

For 3 people sharing the same room:

195 € per person

For 4 people sharing the same room:

160 € per person.

Children under 12 years old: +€50 / child

For bed and breakfast stays, these rates are for families sharing the same room and bathroom. A supplement will be indicated when the quote is prepared for single individuals, those requesting separate rooms, single-parent families, and families of more than 5 people.

In all cases, these prices are given as an indication; depending on your requests, a quote will be drawn up before booking.

 

These rates include 

Complete organization of your nature holiday.
Bed and breakfast option: Accommodation for one night during the stay with full board from dinner on day 1 to picnic lunch on day 2.
Self-catering option: simple accommodation for 2 nights during the stay.
The accompaniment of a nature guide for half a day on Day 1 and the morning of Day 2.
All the necessary materials for the animation, the observations from these two half-days.

 


These prices do not include 

Drinks outside of meals and personal expenses.
Transportation to and from the accommodation.
Insurance, including cancellation insurance which you can book as an option.