That great river, which the Romans named Liger, is the backbone of the department which takes its name from the Loire estuary. It divides the department into two.
As it enters the lowland area of Loire-Atlantique, the build-up of silt that has washed down its stream creates marshland, islands or floodplains - or areas of luxuriant vegetation in the secondary streams, known as boires.
In summer, when the water level is at its lowest, wide sandy banks are uncovered on its shores.
But in winter these are completely covered and the river spreads over the neighbouring plain, encouraging the growth of aquatic and marshland plants. In this way it provides biological environments for a large number of plant and animal populations. For fish such as pike it provides areas camouflaged by reed-beds and other plant masses that make suitable breeding-grounds. It also provides homes for many colonies of birds such as the little tern.
Finally, on the right bank, hillsides, promontories, quays and slipways provide lots of opportunities for walks and stopovers. From Nantes onwards, the Loire becomes very built up, all the way to its estuary, with port facilities on the northern bank, while the southern shore is characterised by wetlands.
Did you know?
In order to cope with the river's floods, the Divatte Levee was built in 1847 at the initiative of the communities of Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, La Chapelle-Basse-Mer and Basse Goulaine. It is made up of sand covered with earth, shored up with stones, and stretches for about 15 kilometres. It made the development of wine-growing and market-gardening possible.
In summer, when the water level is at its lowest, wide sandy banks are uncovered on its shores.
But in winter these are completely covered and the river spreads over the neighbouring plain, encouraging the growth of aquatic and marshland plants. In this way it provides biological environments for a large number of plant and animal populations. For fish such as pike it provides areas camouflaged by reed-beds and other plant masses that make suitable breeding-grounds. It also provides homes for many colonies of birds such as the little tern.
Finally, on the right bank, hillsides, promontories, quays and slipways provide lots of opportunities for walks and stopovers. From Nantes onwards, the Loire becomes very built up, all the way to its estuary, with port facilities on the northern bank, while the southern shore is characterised by wetlands.
Did you know?
In order to cope with the river's floods, the Divatte Levee was built in 1847 at the initiative of the communities of Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, La Chapelle-Basse-Mer and Basse Goulaine. It is made up of sand covered with earth, shored up with stones, and stretches for about 15 kilometres. It made the development of wine-growing and market-gardening possible.
