Réserve naturelle nationale du val de Loire

Réserve naturelle nationale du val de Loire is a large protected area stretching along the Loire River on the border between the Centre-Val de Loire and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions, including part of the commune of Herry in the Cher department. The reserve was established by decree in November 1995 to protect one of the last stretches of the great river that has kept its wild, unregulated character.

How big is the reserve and what does it cover?

The protected area spans roughly 1,454 hectares along nearly 19 kilometres of the Loire's course. Its boundaries run through several communes on both banks of the river, including Couargues, La Chapelle-Montlinard, La Charité-sur-Loire, Mesves-sur-Loire, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Tracy-sur-Loire and Herry itself, on the Cher department side. The site is jointly managed by the nature conservatories (Conservatoires d'espaces naturels) of Burgundy and Centre-Val de Loire, which monitor species and habitats and coordinate conservation work across the reserve.

Why is this stretch of the Loire so special?

Along this section, the Loire has retained its natural, meandering course, with shifting sandbanks, islands, oxbow lakes and riparian forests that have largely disappeared elsewhere in France due to river engineering and flood control works. This untamed channel makes the reserve one of the most important biodiversity strongholds in the entire Loire basin. Naturalists have identified more than twenty distinct natural habitat types within its boundaries, ranging from bare sand bars to wet meadows and willow scrub.

What species live here?

The reserve is known for its exceptional richness of wildlife and plant life. Among mammals, Eurasian beavers and otters have returned to the area after decades of absence, helped by improved water quality and bank protection measures. Birdwatchers have recorded more than 220 bird species along this stretch of the Loire, including terns nesting on sandy islands and bee-eaters, colourful birds more typical of warmer parts of Europe. The reserve's flora includes close to 620 vascular plant species, a significant share of which are considered rare or threatened at the regional level.

What can visitors do on the Herry side?

On the Herry side of the reserve, a nature trail known as the Sentier des Saulières lets visitors take in the typical riverside landscape without disturbing the most sensitive habitats. The path follows the bank of the Cher, part of the wider protected river system, and offers opportunities to observe birds and the vegetation typical of great river valleys.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the reserve located in relation to Herry? The reserve covers a stretch of the Loire's channel and adjoining land within the commune of Herry, in the Cher department, Centre-Val de Loire region.

When was the reserve created? It was established by a decree issued in November 1995, covering the section of the Loire between La Charité-sur-Loire and Boisgibault.

Which animals best symbolise this place? Beavers and otters are considered the reserve's flagship species, alongside numerous waterbirds and waders.

Is the reserve open to visitors? Yes, part of the area is accessible via marked nature trails, such as the Sentier des Saulières in Herry, although the most valuable habitats remain under stricter protection.