Don't Swim in the Loire

 

The people midstream are taking a risk and ignoring the 'No Swimming' signs.

So why shouldn't you swim in the Loire?

1. Shifting sandbanks, which look solid when you stand on them, but collapse under you so you end up falling from mid-calf depth to in over your head.

2. The cold water causes a shock reflex intake of breath. If you are under water at the time this single breath is enough to drown you.

3. Birds nest on the exposed sand and gravel banks and swimmers disturb the birds and accidentally destroy the nests and eggs.

 

On the other hand, there is great swimming in the Vienne, the Creuse, the Cher and the Gartempe, all big tributaries of the Loire.