What if, for the first time in Europe, a river had the opportunity to express itself and defend its interests through a system of inter-species representation? Launched by the Arts & Urbanism Centre (POLAU) in 2019, the Loire parliament initiative is a fiction, a potential institution which gives us an opportunity to listen to the Loire ecosystem and its warnings.
Nautical knowledge of the Loire encompasses associated practices within a single territory, the Loire river basin: knowledge of building suitable rivercraft, sailing knowledge and fishing knowledge. This specific, multifaceted know-how brings into play technical knowledge, nautical skills and naturalistic approaches . Since June 2025, they has been listed as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage.
What are the key issues and challenges facing Saint-Mesmin National Nature Reserve, amid its use by locals living in the nearby city of Orléans?
