Five(-ish) things to do and see around La Danasha
Depending on your mood and interests, and on the weather, there is a variety of activities and places to do and see within 30 minutes of La Danasha.
Here are just a few out of a veeeery long list – in no particular order of importance:
- Walk or cycle around
La Danasha is a great starting point for walks or bicycle outings. While the forest immediately around it is private – and unfortunately, therefore, not accessible to guests – from the centre of Viglain you have a choice of four marked paths for either walking or cycling through the forest. (Maps are at your disposal to find your way around.)
One of them passes near the small but pretty castle of Baffou, where a local noble man, Gabriel de Jaucourt, initiated a rebellion of peasants against taxes in 1659, at the beginning of Louis XIV’s reign, and, err… it did not end very well for Mr de Jaucourt. More information is to be found (in French) here if you’re interested.
2. Visit Sully-sur-Loire castle
Sully-sur-Loire has an impressive medieval castle which used to be home in the 17th century to one of Henri IV’s key ministers, Maximilien de Béthune, also known as the Duke of Sully.
You can visit the castle and learn about its historical significance, then take a pleasant walk in its park (which, fun fact, harbours a miniature replica of the Lourdes grotto (!)) and onward to the path along the Loire.
The river banks are a nice spot for a picnic, weather permitting. A path takes you also through the fields behind the castle and through a Natura 2000 classified site comprising several ponds and usually full of birds, which is a bit unexpected in the middle of the city! (Click here for more information about the park).
Don’t leave Sully-sur-Loire without getting a drink or ice-cream at the terrace of L’Arcatène. Bicycle aficionados will love the collection of old bicycles kept in this former factory where Helyett bikes used to be produced. L’Arcatène also rents out bicycles for a half-day or by the day, so you can get a taste of the Loire à Vélo from Sully-sur-Loire.
Even if you’re not a bicycle fan, you will still surely enjoy this place, with its relaxed atmosphere and great view over the Loire (FYI just below it, there are some picnic tables too).
In the spring and summer, go and sit with your apéritif (or picnic) on the bicycle bridge (but keep to the side so as not to disturb the traffic) – you’re sitting in the middle of the Loire, so it’s magical to watch the sunset there! (And we will happily lend you a picnic kit).
3. Check out the abbey and Hameau du Port at Saint-Benoît sur Loire
About 20min from La Danasha by car (but also accessible by bike via the ‘Loire à Vélo’ route) is Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. It’s a nice place to walk around with its little shops and its abbey (where you can admire magnificent Roman carvings) and adjacent museum, Le Belvédère.
Once you’ve visited those, walk for about 15min to the river banks at Le Hameau du Port (via rue du Port, by the camping site). It’s a cute area, with lovely houses just by the Loire. And picnic tables (- do you notice a pattern?).
Also, if you’re into kayaking, this is an easy place to aim to land after a short ballad from St Père-sur-Loire, which is upstream and just across Sully-sur-Loire.
4. Take a boat tour on the Loire from Sigloy
About 15min from La Danasha, the Passeurs de Loire will take you on a boat tour on board a typical, shallow Loire boat. The basic tour is 90 minutes long but there are other, longer ones, such as a tour with apéritif or even picnic dinner, or sunset tour to try and spot some beavers (not easy).
The guy running this is passionate about the Loire and boating on the Loire, and so are his fellow boatsmen. We’ve taken the tour on several occasions and absolutely loved it every time because it’s just you, the river and the birds. It’s beautiful and interesting. We strongly recommend it!
5. Go swim in l’Etang du Puits, in Cerdon
It’s difficult to choose what gets the fifth spot, to be honest (so I’ll probably end up adding a sixth). For families, l’Etang du Puits is a lake (or mega-pond?) 20min from La Danasha where you feel (a little bit) like being at the sea, with its windsurfing and waterskiing.
It can get a bit crowded in summer when the sun is out, so better get there early as spots in the shade are in high demand. One area has big inflatable structures which can be fun for kids who can swim. There is a nice walk around the Etang too, as well as a beach restaurant.
6. Learn about the region’s Scottish-related past in Aubigny-sur-Nère
And yes, I’m adding a sixth one (but I could go on and on…). Aubigny-sur-Nère, nicknamed ‘City of the Stuarts’, and located exactly 30min away, has a nice, lively city centre full of small shops and restaurants, and strong ties with Scotland.
Namely, in the 15th century, the Scots came to the rescue of King Charles VII by virtue of the Auld Alliance treaty during an English invasion that forced the king to take refuge in nearby Bourges (more on its history here). The Stuart family owned Aubigny-sur-Nère, which was ceded to them by way of a ‘thank you’ gift, until the second half of the 17th century.
During the ‘Fêtes franco-écossaises’ (this year scheduled from 11 to 13 July), it gets literally invaded by tourists. Concerts, with a Celtic vibe (some of which are free to attend), Scottish-themed markets, activities and ceremonies will feature on the programme, which can be found here.
Even without the festival, Aubigny-sur-Nère is a nice place to spend a few hours and have dinner in. In a field near the city centre, last time I checked, there were some interesting woolly cows with horns, and (of course)… they were of the Scottish Highlands breed. The city also has its own pipe band!
There are many other things to do/see, so just ask and we’ll give you more suggestions, depending on your interests and the time that’s available to you!
