Our take
A family base on the banks of Europe's last wild river, with a variety of water activities and a real patch of greenery classified Natura 2000.
A lake on the Loire on the doorstep of Saint-Etienne: pedalos, paddleboards, canoes and large green spaces.
You're in a bend of the Loire, on the doorstep of Saint-Etienne, on about ten hectares of water and greenery classified Natura 2000. The lake is the heart of the place: pedalos, paddleboards, canoes to paddle down a stretch of the gorges, small electric boats with no licence needed for those who prefer to take it easy.
The season runs from 1 May to 13 September: open every day from 4 July to 30 August, and only at weekends and on public holidays for the rest of the season. Swimming in the Loire is supervised every day from 14:00 to 19:00 in July and August, and out of season the lake is not supervised, so you stick to a walk by the water. On land: mini-golf, a play area, beach volleyball courts, pétanque, waymarked paths.
A water-play garden with water games rounds it all off, ideal when you come with children. Bring sun cream and something for a picnic: there's room to lay down a towel and spend the afternoon.
Why we love it
- The lake in a bend of the Loire, classified Natura 2000
- A stretch of the gorges to paddle down by canoe
- Small electric boats, no licence needed, for a gentle turn on the water
- The water-play garden and its water games when it's hot
Top tip
Come on a weekday rather than a summer Sunday to avoid the crowds. The season runs from 1 May to 13 September: every day from 4 July to 30 August, weekends and public holidays for the rest of the season. Bring a picnic.
Before you go
- In midsummer, when the base is open every day (from 4 July to 30 August in 2026).
- The season runs from 1 May to 13 September: every day from 4 July to 30 August, and only at weekends and on public holidays the rest of the time.
- The water-play garden only opens from 4 July: if you come in June with children, count on the play area and the mini-golf instead.
- Swimming in the Loire is supervised every day from 14:00 to 19:00 in July and August, and out of season, stick to the walk along the water.
- In midsummer, come on a weekday rather than a Sunday, and bring a picnic: there's room to lay down a towel and spend the afternoon.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
17°/6°
0 mm · 22 km/h
Tomorrow
16°/3°
dry · 8 km/h
Tue 27
22°/7°
0 mm · 8 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- 36 plaine des loisirs, 43110 Aurec-sur-Loire, France
43110 Aurec-sur-Loire - Monday14h–19h
- Tuesday14h–19h
- Wednesday14h–19h
- Thursday14h–19h
- Friday14h–19h
- Saturday14h–19h
- Today14h–19h
Opening hours
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