Water sports and leisure activities Poitou

Cool spot! Created in 1972 in the middle of a vast wooded area on the border between two communes, this 7-hectare lake offers relaxation for the whole family. Farniente or sporting activities, the choice is yours. Swimming is supervised here in summer. Water slide, children's playground, picnic area, fishing, pétanque, waterski lift, accrobranche - the activities are numerous. For walkers, there's a hiking trail and a trail course.

10 minutes from the Futuroscope, it is the largest lake in the department! It's the ideal place to spend the summer in the cool of the water! Swimming is pleasant, supervised, and the Aquazone, an inflatable course on water, will make you spend pleasant moments of freshness, relaxation and fun. The slides and the play structures will make the children happy. And why not go around the lake on foot, by bike or by pedal boat? You can eat at the Bistro de la Plage, have a pizza to go or an ice cream after the effort.

Numerous sporting activities at the Cherveux lake. Wood Wakepark rents out paddles and houses THE waterski lift of the 79. Beginners and experts alike can wakeboard from the pontoon, pulled by a cable.

Take to the heights with the accrobranche courses at Accros de Cherveux. Extra the 180 m zip line or those that fly over the lake!

Another choice: a laser game in the middle of the forest on a 2,000 m² plot, accessible from age 7.

The Gâtinéo aquatic center includes four pools, adapted to everyone's activities: the sports pool, the leisure pool, the paddling pool and the giant slide's reception pool. From prenatal gymnastics to various aquagym techniques and swimming lessons, Gâtinéo offers a dozen aquatic activities. These activities are practiced under the responsibility of the lifeguards of the Community of Communes of Parthenay Gatine. Adapted to each public, many beaches are available around the pools.

Dedicated to school activities, the Lidon is open to the public for 6 weeks in summer. Access to the initiation basin and the wild marsh is free. Kayaks and canoes can be rented directly from the site at low cost for up to 3 hours (rates according to family income). There are also signposted trails to help you discover the local flora and fauna. Information on niortagglo.fr, base nautique du Lidon.

Departure is from Place des Poulies in Saint-Loup-Lamairé. By pedal boat or canoe, it's an opportunity to discover the Gâtine in a different way, as seen from the lovely Thouet. It's a charming and refreshing way to enjoy the region's heritage, including a magnificent panorama of the Château de Saint-Loup. Bookings can be made at the tourist office. 6 canoes (3 pers.), 4 pedal boats (5 pers.) and 3 rosalies (3-4 pers.). Low prices for great experiences !

Starting from the old Thouars abattoir, there are 2 routes: upstream to the chaussée du Château (2.5 km); downstream to the Ursulines meadow (1.2 km). Sailing on the wild, lush Thouet river offers a different view of the Deux-Sèvres, a blend of nature and heritage. A visit to the Château des Ducs de la Trémoïlle is a must! Canoes, kayaks, paddles and pedal boats are available for hire, solo or with the family. Jackets, paddles and watertight canisters are supplied. Please note that boat reservations are mandatory. Ahoy!

A merry band, this association for the defense and protection of nature! In the land of the European otter and the grey heron, a host of guided outings are organized in Natura 2000 protected areas. Observe the microscopic world that surrounds us! You can also hire a light boat, on your own or with a guide, to paddle down the tranquil Argenton river. Nature's treasures and heritage are yours to discover.

You'll enjoy a lush green setting and a host of facilities, including picnic tables, playgrounds and signposted footpaths. Swimming is supervised all summer long, and you can take advantage of the activities (beach handball, etc.) and go boating: paddles, canoes and pedal boats are available for hire. You can pitch your tent at Flower Camping Côté Lac (3 stars). The Côté Plage bar-snack-restaurant welcomes you all year round.

At bridge level, it's not unusual to spot a few canoes below on the Anglin. Since 2010, Canoécolo has been supplying boats, vests, paddles and watertight canisters to get you out on the water. Discover this little corner of paradise and enjoy its enchanting valley. Stroll at your own pace, swim... what a pleasure! The trick is to get back to the starting point, but the river is calm and navigable in both directions. The small company also offers its services in La Roche-Posay, where you can discover the confluence of the Gartempe and Creuse rivers.

Created in 2001, the Chauvigny Valdivienne Canoe Kayak Club offers initiation, improvement, competitions and leisure outings. Come and discover the Vienne river according to different formulas proposed (from 2 hours to one day) from Saint-Martin-la-Rivière, Cubord or the Civaux-Chauvigny circuit. In high season, take advantage of the courses to discover canoeing, kayaking and paddling but also of some night descents. Unforgettable moments in an enchanting setting!

Wade or pretend you're an Olympic champion in this beautiful pool. Take advantage of the indoor facilities: a counter-current river, water jets and even a waterfall. And, for those who are not so cold, swim from April to October in the Nordic pool outside, but in water that is always 27°C! The aquatic center will also seduce you with its fitness room, sauna and hammam. It also offers aquabike and aquagym classes... as well as a time slot for baby swimmers. A real pleasure for children and adults alike!

From April to September, the La Roche-Posay Tourist Office offers nature sports outings to discover the Anglin or Gartempe valleys. A minibus will take you to a place called "Rives" for a 10 km descent accompanied by a qualified guide. Would you like to sail on your own? Opt for the free canoe trips between Vicq-sur-Gartempe and La Roche-Posay (10 km). Another option is an accompanied introduction to stand-up paddling on the Creuse River, with a 5 km course. Meeting point at La Cale in La Roche-Posay.

In fine weather, what could be more pleasant than to enjoy the cool waters of the Creuse? The setting invites you to relax and picnic on the riverbank: majestic trees cast the right shade for lounging. The leisure area offers games for young and old alike (pétanque, canoe hire...). Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the natural riches of the river. Great fun for all!

The Lathus outdoor center offers a wide range of activities: kayaking, stand-up paddle, archery, mountain biking, caving, rock climbing, Accro'Lathus, tree climbing, circus, horse riding, Disc'Lathus, hiking, Tèrra Aventura, educational farm... In summer, activities (booking required) are organized every day by qualified activity leaders. Numerous accommodation options are available on site for groups. Don't miss the Les Improbables festival on Ascension Day.

Speed, glide and water are the winning trio for guaranteed thrills. Thanks to Watersports, on the Vienne river, you can experiment with towed buoys, with family or friends, for 2 to 8 people. Hang on, here we go. Lying down or sitting up, smiles and giggles guaranteed! Our teams welcome and guide you. For a fun and refreshing time on your own, you can also try your hand at water skiing or wakeboarding (with a board), always towed by a motorboat. Children as young as 4 can try their hand.

Station Sports Nature is the perfect place for a day out with family and friends in summer. Just imagine! You're at the foot of the medieval city, on the edge of the Grand Parc forest, but also on the banks of the Vonne river. It's an exceptional natural setting for relaxation and leisure activities such as swimming, fishing, mini-golf, pétanque, volleyball, table tennis, children's games, cycling, hiking or canoeing. In addition to picnic tables, a snack bar is available.

Water sports aren't just for the sea! On Lac de Moncontour, you'll discover the pleasures of gliding, towed by a cable using an environmentally-friendly electric-powered system. Kneeling first on a kneeboard to get your bearings, you'll then take off standing on a wakeboard to cover the 535 m at 30 km/h. For the more experienced (and adventurous), take to the ramps to perform tricks. Crazy sensations for all levels.

To cool off, you can take a stroll near the peaceful waters of the Miosson river, or go for a swim in the pool at the intercommunal aquatic center. The open-air pool is permanently heated to 29°C. There's also a waterslide for younger children, under the watchful eye of lifeguards. For the little ones, the paddling pool is ideal for splashing about. To complete the picture, there's a relaxation area with greenery, games and a terrace with a gazebo. A place to have fun with family and friends!