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Briare is situated close to the River Loire. If you visit you must view the aqueduct that carries the canal across the Loire. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel and a magnificent structure. Yes the same engineer who designed the tower named after him. Lovely town with pleasant riversides walks and good restaurants, Try Le Bord d'Eau - great food and wine and a really humorous patron.

Briare itself is a small town located on the East bank of the River Loire, to the SE of Orleans. It is easily accessible , located a mile from one of the autoroutes going South from Paris to the Middle and South of France. Briare's main feature is the amazing bridge or aqueduct, built in cast iron, that was built in the 19th Century to take the Briare Canal across the River Loire. A very long bridge. Essential viewing! We walked on the canal tow path from St Fermin on the West bank to Briare, looked round the town for several hours, then back. Watrerway lovers will enjoy the several canls that meet here. The town is the site of a huge factory, closed in the 1960's but still open in part as a museum, making mosaic and glass beads and buttons. The museum is in urfgent need of a refresh, but is well worth a visit . The church in the middle of town is covered with mosaics in the French Art Nouveau and Romanesque styles. Essential viewing too. The River Loire and its valley extends for hundreds of miles, so Briare is one of many towns and villages , lost of historic and architectural interest, set within beautiful countryside along the river. This is not the area of the Loire with the greatest number of Chataeux, but there are still many in the area. Briare and its area is well worth a trip and a stay of several day. It is easy to hire a kayak and go on canoe trips on the Loire which is classed as a large natural river, or hire a bike or e bike to cycle the miles of level paths along the river. There are several restaurants in the town-- notably in the canal area to the Centre / North area of town.