Decize lies at the confluence of the Loire, Aron, Canal du Nivernais and Canal latéral à la Loire. The town developed on an island in the Loire—a distinctive starting point for deciding whether your stay should focus on waterways, exploring the town, or both. Options range from multi-day river cruises to historic walks, so you can distinguish between their duration and focus as early as when planning your trip.

Experience the river and canals

From Port de la Jonction in Decize, Le Boat offers multi-day river cruises on the Canal du Nivernais or the Canal latéral à la Loire. You need neither prior experience nor a boating licence for these trips. This makes it easy to assess the option without assuming previous boating experience or a licence. Check the latest conditions and availability before making plans.

Bélisama offers a one-day nature excursion on the canals of Decize. Along the way, you pass through locks and can observe wildlife. Unlike the multi-day cruises, this excursion is designed to last one day, making the two water-based options different types of trip. Availability may also change for this excursion, so it is advisable to check before making plans.

In summer, the Stade nautique de Decize offers opportunities for swimming and canoeing. This seasonal option adds activities on the water to the range of things to do. If you are planning to take part, check the conditions for your travel dates before your visit.

Preserved architectural history

Decize has preserved buildings dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, including the Couvent des Minimes and the Church of Saint-Aré. The church’s history can be traced through several periods: it was built in the 11th century, and only the choir of the Romanesque building survives. The choir houses the crypt, built in the 7th century in honour of Saint-Aré.

The Church of Saint-Aré is open to the public every day. The crypt is closed, but can be seen through an ironwork door. Guided tours of the church and crypt are offered in summer and year-round for groups. Check the latest opening and tour information before your visit, especially if you would like to see the crypt as part of a guided tour.

The Échauguette is also part of Decize’s historic walk and is accessible year-round. It crowns the corner of the western ravelin, built between 1593 and 1605. This structure therefore brings together a clearly identified feature and a precisely defined period of construction. Check the latest visitor information about access before your visit.

The Promenade des Halles connects a long span of local history with a specific measurement: planting began in 1771, and it has been listed in the Inventaire des Monuments Historiques since 1932. The promenade stretches for 985 metres. Those interested in how the town’s historic character developed will find a site where planting and listing are clearly separated in time.

Walks and excursion options

The Greffier Barbicho historic walk takes in the town’s most important monuments. The Escale Loire starts at the Decize Tourist Office and follows the Loire along the Promenade des Halles, the Île de Caqueret and the Port de Decize. You can also complete this route by bicycle. The two options have different focuses: one walk highlights the monuments, while the Escale Loire takes in the places mentioned along the Loire.

Another option for walkers is the interpretation trail along the Loire. It includes quiz questions and mini-games, adding an interactive activity to the historic walks. So the options differ not only in subject matter: when choosing, you can also consider whether you prefer a route featuring named stops, monuments or quiz questions.

To decide whether Decize is right for your stay, compare the options by trip format and interest: water-based activities range from a one-day nature excursion to multi-day cruises, while the walks and interpretation trail offer their own focus on culture and exploring the town. This makes it possible to choose the focus of your trip without combining these different activities into a single route.

Discover more destinations: Epiry, Magny-Cours, Tresnay, Fours, Montigny-En-Morvan, Menou, Fléty, Moraches.

For the regional travel overview: Nièvre.