Chase away preconceived ideas! To enjoy the fresh air, you don't need the latest walking shoes, climbing carabiners or training worthy of a Tour de France runner... La Nièvre has set up hikes and walks "à la cool" to enjoy the green lung of Burgundy with family or friends. 2 hours from Paris, forests, small mountains, canals and lakes await you for an invigorating and relaxing getaway. So, beginners or not, get to your agendas!

The Loire, between vineyards and charming villages

On foot or with a few pedals, the Loire side canal can be easily discovered. Built on the left bank of the Loire, which it crosses at Digoin by a canal bridge, this peaceful river, with a reduced number of locks, allows you to enjoy the rural environment and some essential stops such as Decize or Nevers

Along the Loire, between Nevers and Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire,you can discover some pearls, such as La Charité-sur-Loire and, of course, the vineyards of Pouilly and Sancerre. It is therefore in the encounter of an important ornithological fauna, charming villages and exceptional vineyards that you will climb here on your bike or board a canoe. Don't worry, however, the excursion will take place at your own pace and will also be perfectly suitable for children. On the water, you can also take breaks on the many islands along the route. Important to note, whatever your port of departure (La Charité-sur-Loire or Pouilly-sur-Loire) for this 10 km trip, the return trip will be assured by minibus after an unforgettable half-day trip.

The Nivernais Canal, nature in all its splendour

Opened in 1843, the Nivernais Canal links the Seine basin to the Loire basin with the help of the Yonne. It was Coulanges-sur-Yonne that announced the entry into the Nièvre and the pearl of the Vaux d'Yonne: Clamecy. The journey in the Nièvre is a privileged area with its wild nature and bucolic landscapes. The Nivernais Canal thus faithfully follows the Yonne Valley, then, through the magnificent scale of Sardy locks and the "voûtes " of La Collancelle, reaches the ponds of Vaux and Baye, the highest points of its route. The canal then descends towards the Loire Valley, through the Bazois via Châtillon and Cercy-la-Tour. Here again, the course is dotted with green scenery and favourite villages, all in its most beautiful form. He will never leave them again until he arrives in Decize

To get the most out of this natural jewel, what could be better than to sail it by boat, along the water. Recreational boating is already well established among our neighbours in Germany and the United Kingdom, and is the new fashionable activity on the French canals. It is possible to rent cabotage boats of all sizes, autonomous, which can be operated without a licence. For several hours or for a few days, this is a unique family activity. If it is also possible to take bicycles on board your boat, just to enjoy the bucolic shores of the Nivernais Canal, why not opt directly for this means of transport? With a fully equipped 175 km cycle route, with no difference in altitude, it is easy to meander happily and without (too much) effort along one of the most beautiful canals in Europe

Le Morvan, nature's sanctuary

The Great Crossing of the Morvan by bike? Here is a getaway now accessible to everyone while forgetting your good old bike for an electric mountain bike. Here nature is king over 290,900 hectares and extends along 2,500 km of trails. An ideal playground to enjoy the hilly landscape, covered with forests between which groves, rivers, lakes and picturesque villages creep in. If we count nearly 330 km between Avallon and Autun for the Grande Traversée du Morvan, the first eight stages are easy and can be used by the whole family. On foot too, everything is possible. Many steps are easily accessible to beginners. And even to children! Then, no more excuses and go and meet the 250 protected species of Morvan

Note that throughout the department, there are many trails adapted to your charming little blond heads and there are many educational routes with explanations about the places, the fauna and flora. Some huts even mark out these paths

Smart info

When? When? All year round, even if the arrival of good weather is obviously more pleasant.

Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible

NIEVRE TOURISM - More information on the website