Picnic areas along the Loir river | Office de Tourisme de Vendôme

There is an unmissable picnic area in Lavardin next to the gothic bridge, with a beautiful view over the medieval fortress built on a promontory and the peaceful babble of the Loir flowing at your feet.

Bonus: on a hot day, under the cool shade of the weeping willows, you will avoid sunburns.

Our favorite place is in Saint-Jacques-des-Guérets, on the left bank of the Loir river facing the little troglodytic town of Trôo.

After or before your picnic stop, we strongly recommend visiting the church where you can admire the magnificent frescos from the late 12th century.

In this charming village, you can also see a washhouse overlooking the old water mill.

For romantics, go to l’lsle Verte in Couture-sur-Loir, where Ronsard wanted to be buried.

Ideal playground for children

What should I bring to the picnic?

Local products, of course!

If you like street food markets, you will find many of our local producers throughout the Vendômois area all week.

To make everyone happy and your picnic successful, you will find a large choice of bread, seasonal fruit, delicatessen fare, and cheese (the famous Trèfle du Perche). There is another shop where you can find local products : le Comptoir des Cocottes in Thoré-la-Rochette and Les Bios du Coin in Naveil !

You can always pay a visit to the producers directly at their farms !

What do we drink?

Always local!

Several Vendôme producers (easily found in street food markets) make apple, raspberry juices and pear nectar with fruit directly from their orchards.

Warning: your children could become addicted to these juices… Delicious!

Wine-growers will advise you about which wine to choose to go with your food, grape juice or “gris” Pineau d’Aunis? (keep your bottle cool in the Loir river).