In their green setting by the river, the Mâtel gravel pits, located in Roanne, offer a bucolic family walk around 23 hectares of water bodies. At the heart of this paradise for water birds, you may observe, at the bend of a path, a tree felled by one of the emblematic species of the site: the Beaver. The Loire Nature trail connects the city center of Roanne to this "green lung".
Activities to practice in the Mâtel gravel pits
- Hiking, Running and Cycling,
- Observation of fauna and flora,
- Relaxation and picnic.
The Loire Nature trail
The Loire Nature Trail is an à la carte hiking circuit, from 2,5 to 11 kilometers, as close as possible to the Loire River and the Roanne canal in Digoin. Everyone can find their happiness! Departing from the port of Roanne, discover the wealth of heritage, the Loire river and the canal.
Three courses are offered to satisfy young and old:
- Green: up to the 2,5 km allotment gardens,
- Blue: up to the 5 km SPA,
- Red: until the gravel pits of Mâtel of 11 kilometers.
Key figures
- 23 hectares of water bodies and woodlands redeveloped for biodiversity,
- Over 5 kilometers of developed trails,
- 3 benches and 2 large picnic tables.
Fauna & flora
- The Beaver,
- The otter,
- Water birds,
- Heritage plants in wetlands.
The secrets of the natural space
- Pasture parks have been installed on the site and sheep maintain the natural environments.
- Roannais Agglomeration intervenes every year on the site to fight against invasive plants such as Jussie or Japanese knotweed.
- The site is home to a very rare plant, never seen anywhere other than Mâtel in our department.
![Des nettes rousses aux gravières de Mâtel]()
Redheads © P Bourgeois ![Leste verte aux gravières de Mâtel]()
Green ball © Y Boeglin ![Grèbe huppé aux gravières de Mâtel]()
Great Crested Grebe © D Roux ![Anax Empereur aux gravières de Mâtel]()
Anax Emperor at the Mâtel gravel pits © Y Boeglin ![Héron cendré aux gravières de Mâtel]()
Gray heron at the Mâtel gravel pits © D Roux
The most beautiful points of view
- The Belvedere: this elevated point of view dominates the main body of water of the site and offers a magnificent panoramic view.
- Windows on the river: the path that passes between the main pond and the Loire offers several pretty views of the river.
The history of the Mâtel gravel pits
After nearly 30 years of industrial exploitation, the Mâtel gravel pits have regained calm and nature has resumed its rights. On this former aggregate extraction site, Roannais agglomeration has carried out major ecological rehabilitation work to reconcile public reception and preservation of flora and fauna. Trails wind between the bodies of water and allow you to stroll in the heart of nature, a stone's throw from the city and observe aquatic plants, birds and trees pruned by the Beaver.
Key dates
- In the years 60, meadows occupy the site.
- From the years 70, the extraction of aggregates develops, several bodies of water are dug.
- At the end of the years 90, the activity ceases on the gravel pits.
- En 2006, the site opens to the public, after major ecological rehabilitation and trail development work.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The Mâtel gravel pits
Path of the Gasse Poulot
42300
Roanne
Marion's opinion
Birds, nature, calm, these 3 characteristics are enough to take you to the gravel pits of Mâtel. I discovered this 100% natural Gaillardin place in the company of a group of 4 ornithology enthusiasts and Christophe Gaillardin from Generation Biodiversity, a passionate enthusiast, who offers day trips and trips. On this leisurely 11-kilometer hike, everyone was on the lookout for any noise. Indeed, we advance slowly and we open our eyes, from the tops of the trees and into the wild grasses on the banks of the Loire where there are dragonflies and butterflies. A beautiful day immersed in the heart of the wild Loire ...
