Do I need to book to go canoeing, kayaking or paddling in the Vignoble Nantais?

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer or for supervised outings (semi-nights, guided trips on the Loire, hikes on the Sèvre or Maine rivers). Some bases also offer hire boats, but these can fill up quickly.

Are water sports activities accessible to all abilities?

Whether you’re a beginner, a family or an experienced sportsman, the courses can be adapted to suit your pace: easy descents on the Sèvre, gentle navigation on the Loire, or a spectacular setting at Pont Caffino. Local instructors offer tailor-made support for children, groups or novices.

Can children take part in water sports?

Absolutely. Most of the bases (Clisson, Gétigné, Plan d’eau du Chêne, Pont Caffino…) welcome families and offer adapted boats.

Are the water sports sites accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Some sites, such as the Plan d’Eau du Chêne in Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, have been awarded the PRM label and are equipped with special facilities (adapted pontoon, boarding crane, comfort access). The teams on site can tell you about the facilities available.

Boating in the Vignoble Nantais: river trips and activities

Water sports activities for all styles

By boat between the Loire and Goulaine

Sailing the Loire is possible. Traditional boats allow you to discover the river up close, at a gentle pace that respects the environment, on guided or personalised tours.

Détours en Loire

Faites-vous plaisir : prenez le temps d'une escapade dépaysante au coeur de la Loire et de ses paysages ! Seul, en famille ou entre amis, choisissez la promenade en phase avec...

La Maison Bleue Animations

la Maison Bleue est située au coeur du marais de Goulaine, site classé Natura 2000.

Louise de Loire - Promenade en toue cabanée

Offrez-vous une promenade exclusive et inoubliable sur la Loire. Un départ à la journée pour un groupe constitué sur la Loire.

Balade en canoë sur la Loire avec John Patach

Vivez une expérience authentique au fil de l'eau, en pleine nature !

By canoe or kayak on rivers

Canoeing is king in the Vignoble Nantais. Whether it’s for a few hours or a sunset getaway, there are routes to suit all levels. Local clubs also offer semi-night-time excursions in season for the more intrepid.

On the Loire
On the Sèvre
On the Maine
On the Chêne lake

Loire by canoe Gliding between sky and wild river

Silence, reflections, changing light. On the Loire, canoeing becomes a way of exploring the senses. Canoeing down the Loire is like slowly immersing yourself in a shifting landscape of sandbanks, islets and migratory birds.

Sailing the river with professional guideJohn Patach is above all an opportunity to reach places that are usually inaccessible. From Le Cellier to Ancenis, there are several routes to choose from, depending on the rhythm of the water and your mood:

the classic outing, gentle and suitable for everyone,
the contemplative version at sunrise or sunset,
the intrepid adventure, with a bivouac in the middle of nowhere.

The fauna of the Loire is sometimes surprising: herons, terns, beavers. The silence of the canoe reveals a sensitive Loire that is still wild.

Activities are open to individuals and groups (up to 16 people on the water simultaneously), with the possibility of tailor-made programmes: teambuilding, school groups or association trips. Accommodation overlooking the Loire can be booked in advance.

Want to combine canoeing and walking along the Loire? See our page dedicated to the banks of the Loire to complete your itinerary.

Banks of the Loire

Balade en canoë sur la Loire avec John Patach

Vivez une expérience authentique au fil de l'eau, en pleine nature !

Canoeing and kayaking On the Sèvre Nantaise

You can discoverthe Sèvre Nantaise at the slow pace of your paddle. On this winding waterway, lined with mills and wilderness, every canoe trip is a smooth ride, a break between wine-growing villages and wooded landscapes.

You can hire a kayak on the Sèvre by the hour or by the day.

In Clisson, the canoeing club invites you to explore the river on your own or with the whole family. Boats, paddles and megacraft complete the offer. On certain Friday evenings during the season, guided night-time walks offer a chance to admire the town’s illuminated heritage.
At Gétigné, the water sports centre immerses you in the Sèvre valley, with its wild flora, ancient mills, small rapids and unspoilt nature. On summer evenings, enjoy a sunset hike with the semi-nocturnal rentals.
RandoCabane offers an immersive itinerary combining gentle navigation and an overnight stay in a comfortable riverside cabin. For an escape that’s accessible to all, the round trip option allows you to return to your cabin by canoe. And for the more adventurous, there’s a complete descent from Clisson, with portages, dam crossings and possible encounters with beavers living on the Sèvre.

Supervised outings Semi-nightly walks

A number of clubs and leisure centres in the region offer guided walks, often in the evening, when the light is fading and the wildlife is coming to life.

In Gétigné, take a semi-night-time canoe trip with a passionate nature educator. Only in summer, these 1? hour outings at dusk offer a whole new way to observe the Sèvre.
In Vertou, take advantage of evening canoe-kayak hire on Wednesdays from 6pm to 9pm, from May to September, for paddling in a peaceful atmosphere.

Canoe Kayak Pont Caffino Sailing the Maine in spectacular surroundings

Located between Maisdon-sur-Sèvre and Château-Thébaud,Pont Caffino is a must for canoeing on the Maine. Set in a man-made canyon, the cliffs overlook a peaceful river, ideal for a solo or family session. Hiring a kayak at Pont Caffino means exploring a landscape that’s as unique as it is accessible.

Both a relaxation area and a sports centre, the base offers kayaks, canoes and paddles for hire. Set in the heart of nature, it also offers zip-lines, tree-climbing, archery and much more.

Open all year round, with extra time in summer (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Booking recommended.

Caffino Bridge

Base de Loisirs Nature de Pont Caffino

Base de loisirs nature de Pont Caffino, au cœur de la vallée de la Maine

©Activities & leisure: Boating in the Vignoble Nantais|Adrien Vilarem

©Guinguettes in the Vignoble Nantais: The Pont Caffino Guinguette|Adrien Vilarem

Festive break La Guinguette de Pont Caffino

The Guinguette de Pont Caffino provides a lively atmosphere on the banks of the Maine with live music, local crafts and a friendly atmosphere. From May to September, it’s the perfect place to extend your kayak trip to Pont Caffino.

Activities on water and land For all rhythms

In the gentle glow of a summer afternoon, the Plan d’Eau du Chêne, in Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, stretches out among the reeds and birdsong. Here, the calm waters invite you to glide, play and stroll. The Cap Sports et Nature water sports centre transforms this landscape into an adventure playground accessible to all, combining outdoor activities, gentle leisure pursuits and sporting activities.

The water becomes the theatre of your escapades: kayak, paddle, catamaran, optimist, pedal boat, windsurf, everyone can find a boat to suit their needs. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in summer, the base is open for hire. During the week, there are supervised activities (sailing, mountain biking, archery, orienteering, etc.), bookable in advance for groups.

Whether you’re a family or a group of friends, the Cap Sports et Nature team offers qualified supervision and an approach suited to all ages, for a great time out on the water together.

An adapted siteIn the heart of the Nantes vineyards

The base has been awarded the PRM label and has a pontoon equipped with a crane to make it easier for people with reduced mobility to board. The site has been designed to ensure that all activities are accessible, and comfortable facilities are available, such as WiFi in the reception area.

Here, the tranquillity of the site contrasts with the intensity of the sensations experienced on the water or during an orienteering race. A place to recharge your batteries… or to relax.

I go there

©An idea for a weekend of cycling and canoeing in the Vignoble Nantais: Paddle on the Sèvre at Clisson|Clo & Clem

Between the Loire, Sèvre and Maine Sailing to the rhythm of the landscape

The Loire traces a majestic path between Saint-Julien-de-Concelles and La Divatte-sur-Loire. Here, traditional boat trips offer a different view of the sandbanks, reed beds and changing skies. Whether you’re on a rowing boat or on a floating picnic, the river reveals itself as both wild and welcoming.

The more intimate Sèvre winds its way through wooded valleys, mills and stone bridges. Paddleboat hire in Vertou and canoe-kayak hire in Clisson and Gétigné give you a taste of this gentle flow. Here, the lapping of the water accompanies every stroke of the oar.

As for the Maine, it unfurls its charms at Pont Caffino, between cliffs and limestone walls. It’s the perfect backdrop for a gentle or sporty adventure, depending on your mood.

©Idea for a Muscadet tasting weekend: a trip along the Loire and a picnic with the Louise de Loire tour boat|Louise de Loire

How do you go about this experience? See all nautical activities

A river region to experiment with

Here, rivers are more than just backdrops. They live, they speak, they guide. Boating in the Vignoble Nantais cultivates this sensitive relationship with the environment, between gentle exploration and natural immersion. Water becomes the guiding thread for a different kind of journey: slower, freer, truer.

FAQ

Do I need to book to go canoeing, kayaking or paddling in the Vignoble Nantais?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer or for supervised outings (semi-nights, guided trips on the Loire, hikes on the Sèvre or Maine rivers). Some bases also offer hire boats, but these can fill up quickly.
Are water sports activities accessible to all abilities?
Whether you’re a beginner, a family or an experienced sportsman, the courses can be adapted to suit your pace: easy descents on the Sèvre, gentle navigation on the Loire, or a spectacular setting at Pont Caffino. Local instructors offer tailor-made support for children, groups or novices.
Can children take part in water sports?
Absolutely. Most of the bases (Clisson, Gétigné, Plan d’eau du Chêne, Pont Caffino…) welcome families and offer adapted boats.
Are the water sports sites accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Some sites, such as the Plan d’Eau du Chêne in Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, have been awarded the PRM label and are equipped with special facilities (adapted pontoon, boarding crane, comfort access). The teams on site can tell you about the facilities available.