Water leisure and swimming – EN | Vallée coeur de France Tourist Office

Swimming

For a refreshing swim in a natural environment, come to Saint-Bonnet-Tronçais and Valigny. The natural ponds of Saint-Bonnet and Goule offer you, amongst other things, their beaches, which are equipped and supervised every summer.

©baignade-etang-st-bonnet-troncais-03|Luc Olivier

©baignade-etang-st-bonnet-troncais-10|Luc Olivier

©baignade-etang-st-bonnet-troncais-06|Luc Olivier

Fishing

Young or old, enthusiast or amateur, for a day, a week or all year round, fishing is a leisure activity available throughout our region: along the River Cher, in the lakes of the Forêt de Tronçais, on the Canal de Berry or at the Rochebut dam, the diversity of environments offers everyone a wide range of activities!

For the more sporty carnivore anglers, there’s a dedicated float tube course at the Rochebut dam south of Montluçon.

Walking by the water…

Close to the urban centre of Montluçonnais, a 2.8km family walk follows the banks of the Etang de Sault (Prémilhat). This fishing lake is also home to the Cercle de Voile de Montluçon and offers a wide range of activities.
The Etang de Sault is currently being drained every ten years, starting in November 2024 and continuing for around 18 months.
However, access to the banks is still possible for pedestrians and non-motorised 2-wheelers.

The former towpath of the Canal de Berry between Montluçon and Vallon-en-Sully has been converted into a greenway. It is reserved for non-motorised traffic. The 22km route is virtually flat and safe!

A piece of history linked to the ^19th-century industrial past of the Tronçais region, the Etang de Pirot (Isle-et-Bardais) offers a 7.5km trail that is still as close as possible to the water, and is of particular interest for its flora and fauna.

Learn and protect

The Vallée du Cœur de France has 3 Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS). The Goule (Valigny), Vauvre (Nassigny) and Haute Vallée du Cher (St Marcel en Marcillat) ENSs are genuine tools for the protection and observation of flora and fauna, and are open to the general public all year round.

Accompanied or on their own, visitors are introduced to and learn about protecting ecosystems. Because nature is accessible to all, the banks of the St Bonnet pond have been developed over 1 km with the Grillon path for people with reduced mobility. The duckboards, picnic tables and fishing area are adapted for people with disabilities.