The River Loire

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The Loire river forms the south-west border of Burgundy and the main towns of the Nièvre department, Nevers, La Charité-sur-Loire, Pouilly-sur-Loire and Cosne-sur-Loire, stand along its axis. The Canal Latéral à la Loire runs parallel to it, carrying any commercial traffic with the result that the river and sandbanks are rich in wildlife. So much so that a stretch of 20 km has been designated a protected nature reserve in the region.

Over 1000 km in length, this is the longest river in France and it is described as the ‘last wild river in western Europe’. Its journey begins in the Cévennes, part of the Massif Central, and it ends in the Atlantic, south of the Brittany Peninsular.

Its path through Burgundy begins in the Brionnais, not far from the medieval village of Semur-en-Brionnais, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

The river heads on to Digoin, known as the ‘town of water’ with the rivers Arroux, Bourbince, Vouzance and Aronce converging on the Loire. Here too the Canal de Roanne à Digoin, the Canal du Centre and the Canal Latéral à la Loire meet. The cruising boats gather and fishermen, walkers, cyclists and joggers bring life to the banks.

Passing close to the spa town of Bourbon Lancy, Decrize is the next port of call.
Here the Canal du Nivernais joins the river, another centre for the canal cruising boats.

The town of Nevers gains its stature from the river and promotes activities along it. There is one particularly panoramic spot at Marzy of the Bec d’Allier, 10 km to the west of Nevers where the river Allier joins the Loire. This is a series of ‘islands’, rich in wildlife.

La Charité-sur-Loire is the most picturesque town on the Loire in Burgundy. From the bridge over the river you can photograph the famous church Notre Dame, an important priory in its heyday, coming under Cluny, with 400 monasteries in its control. Today the town is more famous for its annual book fair held each July.

From La Charité up to Pouilly, there is 20 km of protected nature reserve. 190 species of bird have been spotted here; it is the home to beavers and numerous fish such as salmon and pike. So important is it not to disrupt the habitat of the wildlife that during the hunting season, bows and arrows are used instead of guns to kill wild boar.
Pouilly-sur-Loire marks the centre point in the Loire from its rise to fall at km 496. There is a pavillion on Quai Jules-Pabiot with information about the reserve, the wine area and current exhibitions.

The vineyards of Pouilly-sur-Loire are famous for their delicious Pouilly-Fumé made
from the Sauvignon grape. On the hillside, across the river is Sancerre, another area renowned for its white wine, and a charming village to visit.

Cosne-sur-Loire is the last town of importance along the Loire in Burgundy. Now a busy market town, its medieval ramparts saw much activity during the middle ages and the Hundred Years War. Here the Loire leaves Burgundy, passing on its way to Orléans, Tours and the Atlantic.