The lakes of Baye and Vaux
At the heart of Nièvre in Burgundy, make a date with nature at the Etangs de Baye et Vaux, a peaceful protected area for birds and a paradise for fishing, walking, swimming (no lifeguards) and water sports.
Discovery trails between the two lakes of Baye and Vaux
Different discovery trails start from the embankment beween the 2 lakes. The Kingfisher Trail (sentier du marin-pêcheur) is 1.5km and it is not unusual to see a kingfisher or grey heron along the way. To make the walk more fun, download the app « balade numérique pays nivernais morvan ».
The path heads into the forest where information boards and posts along the trail provide information about the flora and fauna. Halfway along the trail there is an observatory so you can discreetly watch the wildlife on the lake.
The 750 metre Heron Trail (sentier du héron cendré) starts near the hamlet of Vaux and also has information boards and posts, finishing at an observatory. After these walks, relax at the beach on the Etang de Baye, where you can swim and do water sports including catamaran sailing, paddle-boarding, windsurfing, canoeing and even water biking !
Take a boat from the Etangs de Baye et Vaux to the Canal du Nivernais
Hire an electric boat (no permit needed) at Etangs de Baye et Vaux and head for the Canal du Nivernais and superb arches of La Collancelle.
The construction of the Canal du Nivernais in the 18th century required major building work as La Collancelle hill was in the way, so a succession of three tunnels of 758m, 268m and 212m length were bored. Discovering this work of art surrounded by lush vegetation is an amazing, memorable experience.
Nearby, a staircase of 16 locks stretches for 3.6km from the hamlet of Port-Brûlé to the village of Sardy-lès-Épiry. Vehicles are not allowed on the towpath, so use one of the car parks at either end of the staircase and walk along and back (7.2km) or try to hitch a ride on a boat. The walk is possible all year round, although it is more interesting between April and October when the canal is open to navigation. During your walk, meet the potter who has lived by lock 14 for 30 years, the stone carver, sculptor and designer at lock 10 and see a photo exhibition at lock 6. After your walk, have a swim at the beach at Etang du Merle (lifeguards in summer), a 15 minute drive away.
«What I especially love about living in the countryside is the wonderful variety of scenery with water everywhere : between the Loire, the Morvan lakes, the Etangs de Baye and de Vaux and the Canal de Nivernais, it’s a total change of scene », Muriel from Gites de France.
How to get to Etangs de Baye et de Vaux at the heart of Nièvre ?
By road : from Paris via A77 autoroute, exit for La Charité-sur-Loire, head to Prémery then Baye. Or via A6 autoroute, exit for Auxerre, head to Clamecy and drive beside the Canal du Nivernais.
Discover the loveliest places in Nièvre with Gites de France Nièvre : Charité sur Loire, the town of Nevers, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Destination Sancerre-Pouilly Fumé and Giennois, Puisaye Pottery, Canal du Nivernais, Le Morvan, Lac des Settons, Bibracte."
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