Nature
If you love nature, you're going to be pleasantly surprised by this section of the Loire river.
First, it is accompanied by - or dotted along it is - the Réserve Naturelle, Val de Loire, a designated nature reserve which touches both the Cher and the Nièvre departments. It was established in 1995 to preserve this exceptional natural heritage.
In addition, a more compact area of interest is the Îles de la Gargaude on the west side of the Loire near Ménétréol-sur-Loire.
Réserve Naturelle, Val de Loire
The Réserve Naturelle, Val de Loire starts in the south at La Charité-sur-Loire and extends northwards to Tracy-sur-Loire about 18km away.
The area’s significanc - both in terms of its landscape and its ecology- has long been recognised by the people of the Loire Valley, scientists, and naturalists, and the river’s dynamics remain very active there.
There is also a specific spot you should endeavour to visit, too, half-way up at Pouilly: the Pavillion du Milieu de Loire which houses the Maison de la Nature, a free interactive exhibition about nature.
Below is a downloadable map of the area but not identical to the photograph taken from a poster to the left, which has a key. Nonetheless it is very nice and useful.
The îles de la Gargaude (islands) are part of the public river domain entrusted to the municipality of Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre, which has delegated its management to the Conservatoire d’espaces naturels (CEN) through a 15-year agreement renewed in 2010.
Classified as a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) in the Cher department, the Gargaude Islands are recognized as part of the region’s remarkable natural heritage.
Photograph courtesy of P Lespinass
