I have been told that in the Loire Valley region the locals use the river and it%26#39;s banks as a sort of %26quot;beach%26quot; destination in the summer months. Eg. take picnics, sunbathe and %26quot;play or paddle%26quot; in the river.
I was brought up in the Yorkshire Dales in the UK and therefore spent many a hot day by the River Wharfe and hoped to do the same on holiday this year.
If this is the case, where are the best spots to go? We are staying in both Amboise and Saumur during mid-July.
Many thanks everyone.
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A local would confirm about the best spots, but pay attention to the fact that %26quot;playing and paddling%26quot; in the Loire from the sand banks can be dangerous (riverbed dropping sharply, quicksands, current stronger then you imagine, possibility of sudden flooding after a heavy rain...). But the Loire is indeed a beautiful untamed river, still very much in in its %26quot;natural%26quot; state.
The confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, near the village of Candes-Saint-Martin is a beautiful spot.
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We spend most summers in Candes St Martin on the confluent of the Loire and the Vienne rivers - between Saumur and Chinon. There is a beach there at the confluent where locals (including ourselves) sunbathe and swim while overlooking the gorgeous village of Candes St Martin. It is a bit of a best kept secret so discretion is advised! I have also seen other places along the river where people do bathe - but be advised that the Loire has extremely strong currents and can be dangerous. The Vienne is more tranquil, despite having pretty strong currents too. Only confident swimmers should go out of their depth.
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I%26#39;m also a native of Yorkshire, but live just north of Saumur now. We often see whole families just below the Pont de Cadre Noir at Saumur down on the beaches. I agree that the area below Candes St. Martin is beautiful. Take a walk up through the village to see the %26#39;Panorama%26#39; from the top of the hill by the ruined windmill. The view of the confluence of the Loire %26amp; Vienne rivers is spectacular!
The Loire in summer is a lazy river. In winter and spring it%26#39;s a raging torrent! But treat it with the respect it deserves and you%26#39;ll be fine.
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I have been warned by locals about the curents as well, and was told that in the area east of Tours that swimming and going along the shore was forbidden, so you might want to check locally as to whether access is permitted.
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