Very happy hour on the water!
Aboard a gabarre or a toue cabanée, traditional Loire boats, treat yourself to a moment of total disconnection in the heart of nature, just a stone's throw from the city. For a sightseeing tour, an aperitif on the river or a guided discovery of biodiversity, come aboard for an unforgettable experience!
A few ideas for escapes on the water...
...from Tours
![Balade apéro sur la Loire]()
Aperitif cruise on the Loire
From Tours castle to Marmoutier Abbey
This discovery walk upstream from the Loire, in a Natura 2000 area, offers unforgettable observations of Loire birds, beaver tracks and the remains of ancient bridges.
Aperitif cruise on the Loire, from Tours to the ancient Abbey of Marmoutier
Climb aboard a traditional boat for a one-hour cruise, complete with a basket of specialties from Tours and a glass of wine or fruit juice.
...from Rochecorbon
![En bateau entre Rochecorbon et Vouvray]()
By boat between Rochecorbon and Vouvray
By boat between Rochecorbon and Vouvray
Upstream from Tours, along the Rochecorbon and Vouvray hillsides, enjoy a trip on the Loire (under sail, weather permitting).
Twilight on the Loire
Enjoy an exceptional moment on the Loire at sunset aboard a traditional boat.
You can bring your own aperitif basket to share with other guests.
Literary stroll
Let yourself be lulled by the waves and the texts of the greatest writers, staged by the sailor-comedian on board. A poetic stroll at dusk.
...from Luynes
![Promenade au soleil couchant]()
Sunset stroll
Sunset stroll
Sometimes with commentary, sometimes in silence, this suspended moment in the day invites you to dream, let go and contemplate.
Guided discovery tour
Following the rhythm of the Loire and its environment, take a guided tour with the boatwoman to discover the secrets of the river.
...from Savonnières
![Balade découverte sur le Cher]()
Discovery cruise on the Cher
Discovery cruise on the Cher
Board traditional 18th- and 19th-century boats for a guided “discovery” cruise on the Cher. From Savonnières, you can then easily reach the gardens & château of Villandry for a day of nature and culture.
Twilight stroll on the Cher river
Set off on the Cher at dusk aboard a traditional boat for 1? hours of peaceful discovery, a moment suspended in time!
GOOD PLANS “IN TRIBE
![Naviguer en famille à tarif réduit]()
Family sailing at reduced rates
Family sailing at reduced rates
An afternoon on the royal river with your family? Yes, but at a low price with this offer for families! On the program: a 7km (1h30) trip on the Loire starting in Vouvray to introduce young and old to canoeing. Don't forget to bring biodegradable sunscreen to protect the surrounding flora and fauna.
![Stand up paddle géant et apéro]()
Giant stand-up paddle and aperitif
Giant stand-up paddle and aperitif
Put on your swimsuit and conquer the Loire with style and panache on a giant paddle! In a group of 5 to 11 people, you'll paddle down the Loire for several kilometers to Vouvray. After this fun challenge, head to La Cave de Vouvray for a well-deserved Loire wine tasting.
![Une ½ journée nature, bateau et apéro avec un éco-guide]()
A ½ day nature, boat and aperitif with an eco-guide
A ½ day nature, boat and aperitif with an eco-guide
Depart from downtown Tours and reconnect with nature for a few hours. This walk, designed and accompanied by a professional eco-guide, takes you on a discovery of the flora and fauna of the Loire. Start with your feet firmly on the ground, on the Île Simon, then hop aboard a traditional Loire boat for a wind-in-your-hair tour, including a tasting of local produce.
At the poolside
![La piscine de La Plage à Saint Avertin]()
La Plage in Saint-Avertin
The Centre Aquatique du Lac, to the south of Tours, is a must, and Tourangeaux swim in summer and winter in its 50-meter outdoor pool. You can also take advantage of the indoor pool, balneotherapy, giant slide, wellness area and outdoor beaches on the shores of Lac de la Bergeonnerie. In Tours Nord, head for the Mortier pool and its contemporary architecture combining wood and glass. A slow-moving river, water jets and massaging benches, a waterfall... a fun trail runs alongside the 25m swimming pool. An adapted ramp provides access to the pool for people with reduced mobility. At the Thermes de Luynes, take a swim in the beautiful Nordic pool and its two outdoor pools, or relax in the wellness area with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi and solarium. For children, head for the slides at the Ô Bleue aquatic center in Fondettes, Bulle d'Ô in Joué-lès-Tours or the outdoor water games at La Plage in Saint-Avertin.
![Lac de Chemillé sur Indrois]()
Chemillé-sur-Indrois lake
From the Loire to the Cher, Indre and Vienne, the garden of France is dotted with rivers and streams on which to relax. Without leaving Tours, opposite the guinguette, discover La Plage. Swimming is forbidden here, but you can spend a soothing moment away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Very popular with Tourangeaux locals, the large clear-water basins of the Lac d'Hommes lake, 15 km north of Langeais and built in former falun quarries, provide a bucolic, supervised swimming area in summer, with a country-style guinguette for refreshments.
You can also visit the Parc des loisirs Capitaine near Bourgueil, or venture out to the huge Val Joyeux lake leisure park in the Château-la-Vallière forest. Access is free everywhere.
