Canoe on the Loir

The Loir river

The Loir river is not a tributary of the Loire river.

The Loir river originates in Eure-et-Loir in Saint-Eman, and flows through 97 towns, 4 departments (Eure-et-Loir, Loir-et-Cher, Sarthe, Maine-et-Loire) and 2 regions (Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire).

It is 316.6 km long (with 95 km in Vendômois area) and merges into the Sarthe river upstream from Angers.

The Loir river and the Vendômois region

From Vendôme to la Chartre-sur-le-Loir, along a 50 km stretch, are located the most beautiful churches that the Loir region offers, replete with frescoes and wall paintings (from the 12th to the 16th century) The frescos adorn small medieval churches located along the river on one of the paths to Compostela.

The feudal ruins of Fréteval, Vendôme, Lavardin, Montoire and Trôo overlook the river. This valley is central to the deep identity of the inhabitants on either side of the river, to the Vendômois area, originally a county from the 9th and 10th century.

Pierre de Ronsard left his imprint most especially in his birthplace, the manor-house of la Possonnière in Couture-sur-Loir.

Our favourite

Start from « Les Roches l’Evêque ».

Admire the local flora and fauna during your canoe trip

Take a lunch break in Lavardin, the only village classified «Most Beautiful Villages of France» in Loir-et-Cher. You can take pictures with the view of the fortress and the gothic bridge.

Continue the way towards Montoire-sur-le Loir along many old wash houses.