Hiking

There are 107 marked Short Hikes (indicated with blue, yellow or green rectangles) that can be followed using plastic covered sheets for each parish (commune), as well as 2 Long Hikes of 190 and 210 km descibed in descriptive guide books.

On a bike

In the Brenne most roads are almost flat and there is relatively little traffic. Ideal for a family bike ride. There is a choice of eleven marked circuits.

Mountain bike

The Creuse and Anglin valleys have a varied enough terrain to allow for interesting mountain bike rides. Four marked trails are given. Mountains bikes can be used, but in a less adventurous way, on all of the ciruits marked for hiking. Please, however, be courteous to other users.

 

Horse riding

There are quite a few centres that organize lessons, courses, and treks. Four organizations propose horse-drawn visits in Brenne for groups or individuals. Horse-trekking can be done on all of the marked trails for hikers. However, please be courteous to other users.

 

 

Rock climbing

The Anglin valley is lined with limestone cliffs, very suitable for rock-climbing. Activities in the company of an expert are organised for groups or individuals.

Caving

The area around le Blanc has many caves. Caving is possible throughout the year, but only in the company of a quide (in order not to harmfully disturb bats that use the caves).

 

Golf courses

Within the Parc there is, a mini-golf, a practice course and a swin-golf (a sort of simplified golf, played using a soft ball and a special club with a three-sided head, the choice of surface depending on the shot to be played).

 

 

Bellebouche leasure centre - Mezières-en-Brenne

Accessible from the D925 between Mézières-en-Brenne and Vendoeuvres, it is one of the most pictoresque lakes of the Brenne (100 ha). The holiday centre proposes an assortment of activities of quality for the whole family, supervised swimming in summer, hire of fun-canoes, sail boards and pedal-boats, mini-golf, angling (normal and carp), childrens' play areas, picnic sites, walks, exercise circuits. On site : quality camp site, holiday bungalows, country holiday village, beach-side restaurant.

 

 

 

Canoeing

Canoeing is possible on the Creuse and Anglin, and to a lesser degree the Claise. Anyone is allowed to use the river, but it is sometimes necessary to carry the canoe around obstacles or dams. It's possible to hire a canoe, and to go down the Creuse or Anglin alone, discover the rivers by means of a guide or participate in an organized course. A nautical sports centre will open in late 1999.

 

Angling

Thanks to the presence of lakes and rivers there are various types of fishing activity

  1. River fishing : the rivers in the Parc are well stocked. Fishing is possible on the Creuse, Anglin and Claise as well as some of their tributaries.
  2. Classic lake fishing : most of the lakes in Brenne are private and angling isn't permitted. However, a few are open to the public for fishing.
  3. No-kill fishing for Carp or Wels is possible on a few lakes.

 

 "Gîtes de pêche" (fishing cottages) : holiday homes with a "Gîte de France" label in areas and with equipement suitable for anglers.

 

 

 

There are many other activities, it is possible to have training in orienteering, archery, tennis, moto-cross, paint ball or quad-bike.

 

 

Organizations proposing supervised events

  1. "Base de Plein Air" (Outdoor centre) - Le Blanc It organizes courses on sporting themes such as Mountain biking, Caving, Rock climbing, Archery, Canoeing, Swin-golf, or Hiking, with or without accommodation.
  2. The "SIPAT" A local initiative to provide supervised activities for young people in the area of the Creuse valley. Many sporting, manual, artistic or enviromental events are organised during times of school holidays.