At Pointe de Courpain, the Loire and Loiret rivers meet; here you’ll find a 13-hectare floodplain forest. Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin offers a strong connection with nature, as well as walking trails of varying lengths and buildings ranging from a brick kiln to an arched bridge. When planning your visit, it’s worth considering the different highlights: river nature, activities by the water and architectural history.
Loire landscapes and biodiversity
Pointe de Courpain is part of the Saint-Mesmin Nature Reserve. The reserve stretches along the banks of Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin and protects rare or protected species, including the European beaver, European otter, terns, kingfisher and osprey. The nature reserve covers 263 hectares, with an additional 90-hectare protected area.
Bois de la Trésorerie offers a different natural highlight: it has a discovery trail through an arboretum and a rich variety of flora and fauna. The grounds have been open since 1998. If you’re interested in plant life, you’ll find a different focus here than at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret.
Nature trail and walking routes by duration
The Croix de Micy nature trail starts at the Pointe de Courpain car park. It is 1.5 kilometres long and features 14 information boards about the flora and fauna of the Loire. The boards make this trail a distinct way to explore the river’s natural environment.
There are two walking routes with clearly stated durations. The Circuit pédestre du Nouveau Bourg is 3 kilometres long, takes 40 minutes and starts on Rue de la Belle Arche, where there is also a car park. The Circuit pédestre de la Confluence covers 8 kilometres, takes 2 hours and starts at Pont Saint-Nicolas, where there is also a car park. This makes it easy to choose between a shorter circuit and a longer walk without having to estimate the walking time from the route length.
By the lake and on the Loire
Lac de Bel-Air offers fishing, a fitness trail and a walking path. Canoeing on the Loire is available to visitors in Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin. The lake and river offer different ways to spend time by the water: take a walk or get active at Lac de Bel-Air, or go canoeing on the Loire.
Buildings and history
The Vieux Four, also known as the Four à briques, is an 18th-century brick kiln; it was designated a historic monument in 1998. The Croix de Micy is a 10-metre-high cross. After the floods of 1856, it was built using the last stones from the abbey. The Église de Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin was built between 1865 and 1867.
Domaine de la Trésorerie is an 18th-century building set in a listed park. The park is ideal for walks and leisurely strolls; the Domaine hosts numerous exhibitions by national and international artists. Le Saussay, at 41 Rue des Quatre Tourelles, is listed as a historic monument. The protected features include the façades and roofs of the residential building, the wing facing the courtyard and the barn, as well as the boundary walls.
Pont de l'Europe is an inclined bowstring arch bridge built between 1998 and 2000. The bridge has a dedicated pedestrian and cycle path. Leisure activities add to the choice: in ESC'APE’s live escape game, players must find and piece together scattered clues in less than an hour to escape from a room. ESC'APE also offers an introductory challenge on an Aérotrain.
Discover more destinations: Bellegarde, Boismorand, Gidy, Sully-Sur-Loire, Nogent-Sur-Vernisson, Treilles-en-Gâtinais, Beaugency, Laas.
For the regional travel overview: Loiret.
