The Big Jump is a Europe-wide event that brings together, all at the same time, people who love river-bathing and are prepared to jump into the water. The next session will be on 15 July 2007.
The aim is to raise awareness amongst the public of the water
quality in our rivers. The Big Jump (2005-2015) is intended to be
a project that uses a popular event to express the essential
aims of European legislation affecting water management.
In France and for the Loire basin in particular, it is
organised by SOS Loire vivante (Living Loire) To find out all the
venues for the river-bathing events, see the Loire Valley Big Jump
website.
Further information:
Loire Valley Big Jump
http://www.rivernet.org/bigjump_ligerien/welcomelig.htm
Its worth noting that one of the locations for the Big
Jump is the Belle-Laveuse site in Chinon, during its water
festival.
This festival has a number of events on offer, including: rod
and line fishing (presentation and demonstration by APPMA),
Loire Games supervised by the CPIE, swimming from
Rivière down to Chinon, a dance and a
guinguette a friendly little restaurant with music
and dancing.
Several exhibitions devoted to flora and fauna and
river-bathing will also be organised: Bathing in Chinon
and Beaches of the Loire at the Centre Descartes and
Pleasures of the Loire at the CLAAC.
For the complete programme see:
Chinon Area Tourist Office
http://tourisme.chinon.com/fr/manifestations/fiche.php?id=91