Loire of the islands

Fauna and flora

Perceived as the last wild river in Europe, the Loire is surrounded by diverse landscapes from the source to the estuary. It is here, halfway between the source and the mouth that the river expresses all its character.

Islands on the Loire: protected natural environments. Impetuous and bubbling in winter, languid and peaceful in summer, the Loire erodes its shores or deposits sand, creating an island that it takes elsewhere: you are in the heart of the Loire of the islands !
The Loire of the islands has a diverse and original flora and fauna, threatened elsewhere but here protected by a Nature Reserve created in 1995.

Observe and explore the Loire of the islands :
As you walk along the river, the richness and diversity of this ecosystem are within sight or to be seen with binoculars ! Past the lawns, you reach the sandbanks, favorite places for the terns and little ringed plover to nest in the spring. In the distance on the main arm of the river, you can catch the flight of the osprey which dives to take a fish out of the water. On the wooded islands, you might see a beaver if you are lucky. Perhaps during one of your walks you will meet the rangers of the Nature Reserve, who will gladly answer all your questions.

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In Pouilly-sur-Loire, don't forget to visit the Pavillon du Milieu de Loire. With a nature and environmental focus, the Pavillon du Milieu de Loire is open to the public (adults and children) and a place for environmental education which offers a lot of activities, exhibitions, nature outings, workshops, conferences, etc...

The Loire Valley Nature Reserve

It was in 1995 that the Loire Valley Nature Reserve was created to preserve this exceptional heritage offered by the Loire. The extraordinary landscapes and ecological diversity have long been known by the inhabitants of the Loire Valley, scientists, naturalists, etc.

Combining improved knowledge, restoration or maintenance work, information and public awareness and regulations, the management of the nature reserve has been entrusted by the state to the Conservatories of natural spaces in Burgundy and Center-Val de Loire.

Area and length of the reserve : 1454 hectares over 19 km in lenght including the Loire, its islands and its banks.

Location : in the Nièvre and Cher French departments. The Reserve is spread out over the towns of La Charité-sur-Loire, Mesves-sur-Loire, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Tracy-sur-Loire and the towns of La Chapelle-Montlinard, Herry and Couargues.

Natural heritage : represents around 11% of the French metropolitan species with twenty different natural habitats, nearly 680 species of plants, 240 species of birds, 43 species of fish, 12 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians, 42 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 380 species of butterflies, 41 species of locusts, crickets and grasshoppers and 329 species of beetles.

Each year, the Nature Reserve and the Conservatory of Natural Areas offer you a rich program full of discoveries, to be enjoyed with your family, on your own or in a group.

Access to the nature reserve is free in accordance with regulations and private property. Following the rules, you can practice hunting, fishing, walking, horseback riding, cycling or canoeing, picnics and picking mushrooms, wild fruits and wicker for family consumption ... For further information, you may call the +33 (0)3.86.60.78.25 or visit the following website http://www.cen-centrevaldeloire.org