The most beautiful natural sites to discover France

An educational island of greenery created by the Maison de l'Environnement association between Loire and Allier, the Arche de la Biodiversité is a landscaped and faunistic area whose aim is to preserve the local fauna and flora and to raise public awareness of the environment. 15 ha of meadows, hedged farmland, vegetable gardens, a protected orchard, and two ponds hosting an unsuspected wealth of fauna. Two themed trails allow a playful approach to the area.

Our teams are on hand to answer your questions and advise you on what to do, where to go, where to eat, how to get there and where to swim. You'll also find souvenirs such as Cliousclat Mirmande perched village bowls, Mirmande postcards, maps of France's most beautiful villages and guidebooks to France's most beautiful villages.

Sublime geological curiosity, this cave of the Jurassic era excavated in the limestone of Givet is one of the attractions of the region opened since 1896. The 9 open rooms allow you to observe many concrete events - animals or characters that come out of the rock - a rock suspended as by magic and a column of 3 million years! Many animal traces have been revealed: mammoth, aurochs and pheasant pheasants. It is also likely that they have received human occupation in prehistoric times. A rather magical place for children, it is recommended to cover well, since the temperature avoids the 9 ° C and put good shoes, to climb the stone staircase. From the Nutons Hall, we get to the Salle du Gouffre, where the first traces of human occupation are found, and then to the Lion Room, which owes its name to the form of a concrete, then to that of the Clair de Lune, the room of Lovers, where one distinguishes the silhouette of a couple. 

In the same spirit as the Paradis de Queuille, the Belvédère des Ancizes offers a magnificent panorama of the Sioule valley and allows you to become aware of its winding, steep and wild course. This beautiful viewpoint overlooks the river before it reaches the Fades reservoir, just before the Pont du Bouchet. A panel displays a map of the Combrailles and some explanations. The place is also a nice place to have a picnic and the opportunity to make nice walks in the surroundings and, why not, finish the day at the water level of Les Fades.

In order to know the riches of the wood of Huisserie, a structure exists, the C.I.N. (centre for Initiation to nature), which depends on Laval City and employs two passionnés, Sophie Bringard and Jean-Luc Boulay, who would listen for hours to speak of foxes and passereaux, chênes and birch, weasel and mouse, and mouse and mouse. (among other occupants of "their" wood). Throughout the year, these nature lovers offer entertainment (walks, exhibitions…) to the general public and mainly children, who often arrive here via their school, their district house and, during the holidays, their leisure centre.

Combining the pleasure of practising a sport of full nature with the discovery of natural sites and the wild heritage of the Luberon, this is what is guaranteed by the adventure to which we invite its bike! A journey that extends, in total and all circuits along different routes (including the Apt-Forcalquier axis) for almost 236 kilometres, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Luberon and around the same name! Get cycling on Apt's bike ride at Forcalquier! Only 500 metres from the nearest airfield, you will be able to fly on this ground and plan a sports and tourist outing at a time! Nevertheless, attention: The circuit from Apt to Forcalquier is one of the most difficult of the Véloroute véloroute, with its 56 kilometers and a difference of 800 meters. It is especially recommended to the most sporty of you!

Walking on a footbridge in the middle of the beds and climb at the top of a lookout to observe the Loire, the marshes, the chimneys of the power station of Cordemais, the bridge of Saint-Nazaire, the village of Lavau-sur-Loire, this tells you? Travel is worth a detour: The view is splendid. This observatory is the work of the world renowned Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata. It was created in 2007 as part of the Biennale of Contemporary Art (now known as the trip to Nantes). The idea is: allow an immersion in the marshes (until then inaccessible), at the closest to the Loire, and thus recreate the link between the men and the places. Specifically, access to this Observatory is made by a footbridge located 40 cm above the wetlands and 800 m long. The tides at the coefficient greater than 90 with a strong west wind can surprise the visitor by covering the footbridge of a few centimetres of water. A walk not to be missed before you go to eat a crepe at Yseult at the Maison du Port.

Here they are not ornithologists, but technicians from the Loire-Atlantique Hunters Federation to make one of the best observations of local wildlife. The hunters are the managers of the site and will reveal to you all the secrets of the reserve, driving you on private roads and their mobile observatory to enjoy the ornithological richness of the lake, located second position after the Camargue. The visit may be canceled according to the level of water. In case of rain, arrange boots.

During a pleasant walk, in the middle of nature, you will discover the site of the Gardens of Bernatère. The association Bernatère created modifications there to revive this part of the valley, as in the Middle Ages. It has in particular installed a vegetable garden which aims to highlight Béarnaises traditions and the culture according to biological methods: a beautiful initiative. Today this place is classified as remarkable garden. The nature around is splendid with the stream of Bernatère, which leads to a waterfall that spouts out with a drop of more than 7 meters just before the mill of Minvielle, continuing its way around the other three mills, ruined, let imagine the activity of the 19th century around salt, white gold.

The Seillant mill, recently restored, is a beautiful site on the edge of the Anglin. He is the headquarters of the Association for Heritage and Rural Landscapes. There are conferences on local heritage (historical and natural). Training is also offered on crafts, garden, landscape and heritage. The place is preserved: It is an enchanting site with its rocks, trees, old bridge and mill. It is the starting point for a beautiful hike that leads you to the Château de Brosse through paths lined with lively hedges. Watch out, hiking is quite sporty.

In fact, Grotte de Beaussac is a small underground stream accessible to everyone from 9 years old. You'd better wear a pair of rubber boots because the first part requires to cross some water holes of approximately 50 centimetres in height as well as waterproof clothing. The accessories for the initiation to speleology are provided. Then, the soil is made of gravels to reach 600 meters further, at the bottom of the cavity. This is an important spot of concretions with ceilings approximately 8 meters in height. Various sets of themes are applied during the visit: genesis speleology, underground fauna, concretions, prehistoric man and caveman. This visit allows you to play safely as a potholer and to discover what nature has created for centuries. 

Located at 1 207 metres above sea level, the Lake du Tech is the ideal place to observe nature and herds in estive, and also a site of departure for other lakes in the National Park of the Pyrenees. It is an appreciated place of the fishermen who find in its 9,5 hectares and its 20 m deep the famous trout trout and some trunks. Walkers love it and a signposted trail makes it a very accessible walk, open to people who are disabled. It signs a walk without a great difficulty of 45 minutes, ideal for a family outing during which you can admire the splendid Massif massif. For the little history, the concrete dome dam was built from 1949 to 1951 by EDF and can contain up to 1,3 million m ³ of water.

The Bourges green ring road is a 5.4 km itinerary around Lac d'Auron, offering visitors the chance to stroll in a natural setting. The greenway also connects various parts of the town, encouraging the use of soft means of transport. Secondary links complete the network. Wherever possible, the green ring road passes through natural areas, offering a pleasant and relaxing walking experience.

Snipe of marshes are hardly visible because it melts in vegetation. This great traveller born in northern Europe in the spring, likes to come to Calvados to get there during his migration. Large gatherings are observed in October. The farouche white spatula is not easy to reach. Its white plumage, its large white paws and its long bec shaped bec give its originality. Marshes are a quality pantry for this protected species travelling from the Netherlands to Senegal. It nests every spring in willow groves in the middle of roselière.

Discover the waterfall of the Alpe du Grand Serre, sometimes frozen, offering you a relaxing and calm area only 5 minutes walk in the heart of the resort.

Located less than 15 km from Lille, the Phalempin forest attracts Les in search of a little nature. Devastated during the First World War, it was fully replantée in the 1920 s and is easily accessible by a car park, while the trails allow for the passage of strollers and bicycles. it's a family-run exit. For younger people, the botanical trail will be an opportunity to discover the diversity of plants, which is the basis of the ecosystem of this vast forest of nearly 700 hectares. The walk will soon take you to the four ponds hiding behind the reeds, the natural habitat of frogs and tritons. Be vigilant: You may also inhabit deer or foxes… and certainly, some fishermen. Near the Hermitage Castle (dated th century), a small picnic is required in fine weather!

If you like beautiful and long nature outings, here is a good plan for you. Naturagora regularly organises free discovery tours. The collective collective works for the environment and encourages the understanding and management of nature. With the assistance of eight partners for whom it is becoming environmentally sound, awareness-raising actions are being carried out. Many projects have been mounted with children on this vast site. Do not hesitate to contact Naturagora for the calendar of upcoming events.

Unmissable, because located on the heights that are visible south of Saulx-les-Chartreux, the departmental forest of the rock has no less than 98 hectares. Gradually acquired since the late 1970s by local authorities and the National Forestry Office, this is a great place to walk, and allows you to discover an abundant flora: oaks, beeches, chestnut trees, robinia. On the slopes of what everyone here calls the "plateau", you will find the sands of Fontainebleau, giving an original side to the whole.

Direction the giant labyrinth of the Monts Mountains! 4,5 kilometres of aisles have been built over a space of more than two hectares, guaranteeing both small and a fun time. Did you not feel your physical effort? Yet it is an hour that you walk: this is a sufficient daily expenditure. How, how to spend by fun is possible, and it's even very easy!

Tariff: € 6,50 per adult and € 4,50 per child (possibility to stay the full day).

Distance: 4,5 km.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: very easy.

Talking about planets in the middle of the woods is a laughable idea! It was, however, what was wanted by Gérard Rémillier, a guide by the National Forestry office, and let it be clear: it is a success! The wooded path is punctuated with questions and answers on the theme of the stars, game to which small as well as great will be happy between a look at the vegetation, and an ear by that to listen to the sound of the cloches of cows. In sum, if it takes an hour to survey the course, it is not unlikely that you will spend more time!

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

Presqu, the peninsula on Lake Guerlédan, offers many possibilities for walks. By your steps, the landscapes vary, from the sous to the dégagées banks, and finally reach the highest peaks, overlooking the forest of Quénécan. A beautiful diversity in only 4 km!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 4 km.

Difficulty: .

Markup: Bat.