Water is an integral part of life in the Western Loire. Start with the Loire itself, a royal river, an untamed river, a gateway to the sea. Then, there are all the tributaries: the Erdre, Oudon, Loir, Mayenne, Sarthe, even the Canal from Nantes to Brest… all making this a huge basin, criss-crossed with clean, gentle streams. They helped make the region what it was, and is.
One stretch of the river, between Montsoreau and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, was recently designated as a World Heritage site by Unesco. The organisation highlighted the protection of the Loire's flora and fauna in general, and, in particular, the preservation of the magnificent Fontevraud Abbey and the nearby troglodytes dwellings.
Until the 19th century, rivers were used to bring grain into the area and to export wine and cloth out to northern Europe. Traces of the past can still be seen. Hundreds of miles of rivers are still navigable, with the occasional lock still in proper working order. Towpaths survive, where you can still imagine horses pulling barges, piled high with merchandise.
Yesterday's boatmen have given way to today's holidaymakers, who book up for a weekend or a week, renting comfortable cruisers, complete with bedrooms, showers, kitchens and dining areas. And steering this new breed of river boat is as easy as driving a car.
Explore the pretty riverside towns and villages by boat! Drift past stately châteaux, or get on your bicycle and pedal through quiet lanes amongst the wildflowers and peaceful meadows. And don't forget the fresh croissants for breakfast from the bakery!
If you are more energetic or sporty, there are plenty of places, such as the valley of the River Don, where you can go canoeing, kayaking or rowing. If you want to fish or swim, head for specially-built leisure parks, such as Villiers-Charlemagne in the Mayenne.
And don't miss the scenic solitude, exploring the waterways of the Parc Naturel Régional de Brière or the Venise Verte, the "Green Venice" of the Poitou Marshes. To increase awareness of the Loire's heritage, new initiatives have been launched to encourage visitors to enjoy these World Heritage sites.
