Published 27 / 04 / 2023 Reading time: 5 min
Get some fresh air, get some fresh air with your family, enjoy the Roannais sites, it feels good! Yes, but with babies, it's not always easy to find stroller-accessible routes. My children no longer need it and trudge everywhere! I share with you my experience and my top 5 family walks accessible by stroller.
President Oak Interpretation Trail – Lespinasse Forest
10 km north of Roanne, extends over nearly 500 hectares the departmental forest of Lespinasse. Its particularity: it is mainly home to oaks and hornbeams. I recommend this natural space on a very hot day in summer. It will bring you the ideal freshness for the little ones.
The Chêne Président interpretation trail will be the most suitable for a family outing. This route of 4 km, without elevation, allows you to discover the ecological richness and the history of this mythical place. The circuit has been designed to be accessible to people with reduced mobility and therefore to strollers.
The show is everywhere, first up high where the oaks are straight and reaching towards the sky. Then we walk along the Pierrards pond in search of frogs. Finally we arrive at the famous Chêne Président, huge planted in the middle of the clearing.
La Véloire – Canal from Roanne to Digoin
This is the "safe" route to do with the family. On foot for some, by bike or scooter for others, the Veloire promises a leisurely stroll along the Roanne canal in Digoin. Departing from port of Roanne, this secure and marked greenway is prohibited for motorized vehicles. So you can walk your baby quietly and let the older ones run around. La Véloire takes the towpath of this quiet canal and offers a change of scenery. Children will be able to discover the locks on the way, an instructive walk!
Circuit of the Verpillère – Lay
I suggest this walk in the middle of nature to discover a historic village. In the shape of a snail, as my son liked to point out, the village of lay is a peaceful town with a past steeped in history. First Roman post, then 4e Provostship of Beaujolais and finally seat of a Châtellenie in the XNUMXth century, Lay has continued to occupy a central position over the centuries.
Le circuit of the Verpillère is a 3 km family walk on the outskirts of the village accessible to all. From the medieval city with its walkway to the Château de la Verpillère, your toddlers will dream of being knights or princesses!
Trivial Circuit – Roanne
To change things up a bit, I also like to take urban walks in Roanne. They are easily accessible despite additional surveillance in the city center if you have several children. Like a game with its name "Trivial Circuit", this route starting from the esplanade des mariniers, offers to (re)discover the city. A little greenery invites itself into the city center parks and the new development of banks of the Loire where it is good to take a break.
A bit of heritage until old center where we discover the last half-timbered houses and the keep of the castle of the city. And why not a bit of shopping in the pedestrian and shopping to have fun! A must-do family outing.
Bird Gravel – Mably
My children love to play the little naturalists. To the Bird Gravel, they are the happiest! While I was strolling the youngest in a pram, my son binoculars in hand, was on the lookout for the slightest butterfly or migratory bird.
This set of 30 ha of wetlands is the ideal place to discover wild fauna and flora. This 2 km marked circuit, accessible to children's carriages, is the best way to observe birds, dragonflies, frogs... Educational panels and nesting boxes are installed all along the path and provide an introduction to the knowledge of certain species. A piece of advice, plan a picnic to prolong this magical moment in communion with nature.
With all these ideas for family discovery, all you have to do is unfold your most beautiful 4*4 stroller and set off on the accessible Roannais circuits to give your baby a breath of fresh air. Breathe, Roannais offers you the best!
