Discover Bou in the Loire meander
Accommodation in Bou
The Loire shapes the landscape of Bou: the village lies in a meander of the river, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its trails, natural areas and historic sites each offer something different. When planning your visit, you can choose to focus on wildlife, birdwatching, a Loire route or the village’s history.
Trails through the landscape and along the Loire
The Sentier Grand MĂ©andre is a nature trail open to everyone in the Les Azins area along the Loire in Bou. It starts at La Binette, just beyond the car park. Information panels and QR codes with audio commentary provide information about local wildlife and plant life. The trail connects the river landscape with information about its natural environment.
The Sentier des Azins offers a different experience: it is classed as a very easy walk, is 6.9 kilometres long and has a stated duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Its route passes through sandy Loire grasslands in the Bou meander, where a number of rare and protected species can be found. While nature information is the focus of the Sentier Grand MĂ©andre, the details given for the Sentier des Azins offer practical guidance for planning your time.
The Loire routes also differ in their course. In Bou, the GR 3 follows the Loire levee. The Boucle 17 – La Loire à Vélo par Chécy is a round trip along the northern bank of the Loire and passes through Bou. These routes offer different options: the levee on the GR 3 and a route designed as a round trip on the Boucle 17.
Birdwatching at ĂŽle aux Oiseaux
ĂŽle aux Oiseaux lies in the Loire meander of Bou, between Bou and Sandillon, and is designated a natural area of ecological, faunal and floral interest. From the Loire Ă VĂ©lo route, visitors can reach the island to observe black-headed gulls, little terns and common terns. Breeding activity is seasonal. The location, route and named bird species give a visit a clear focus on nature and birdwatching.
The port and the history of distilling
Port de La Binette was historically Bou’s most important port. In the 18th century, it was also known as Port de la Pointe du Loup; it served as a waiting harbour for boatmen heading towards Orléans. The port is still lively: a small fleet, built by local volunteers, takes part in numerous inland-waterway events. The port’s history thus includes both its former role in navigation and its activities today.
The Maison de la distillation was established in a former cooperative distillery, which operated from 1920 to 1980. Since 2008, it has been an interpretation centre devoted to distilling and the social and agricultural history of Bou. The Maison is also one of the sights along the Sentier des Azins, where visitors can see stills, vessels, a distillation boiler and explanatory panels.
Architecture, vineyards and festivals
The Église Saint-Georges has a remarkable Romanesque bell tower and dates back to the late 11th century. It was enlarged into a bigger building in the 13th century, and a visible roof structure dates from the 15th century. Its construction history therefore spans several distinct periods. Different parts of the church also have different heritage protection statuses: the bell tower and chancel were classified as historic monuments on 28 October 1922, while the nave and aisles were listed on 7 March 1935.
Until the beginning of this century, winegrowing was an important activity in Bou; the tradition is still celebrated there at the FĂŞte de Saint Vincent. Another regular event is the FĂŞte Ă la Binette, which has been held since 1946 and has become an important street arts gathering. Check event dates before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Boismorand, Vrigny, Bellegarde, La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, Ouzouer-sur-Loire, Vennecy, Cerdon, Orléans
For the wider travel overview: Loiret.
