Leaving Orléans on April 7, Philomène Le Lay arrived in Tours this Tuesday evening. And it was by swimming that this 35-year-old Loiretaine traveled the 130 km separating our two towns.
With a big float in front of her to keep her head above water and flippers on your feetshe swam fifteen km a day.
In water at less than ten degrees. A real feat for this young woman who calls herself chilly. “I still had a 5mm wetsuit, slippers, gloves”, explains Philomene. “I even swam with base layers underneath. It wasn’t the most comfortable for the joints, but to resist the cold, it was inevitable”.
Challenge for the Azur Loire project
If Philomène went to so much trouble, it was to be immersed in the Loire and its entire ecosystem. Along with privileged moments shared with Solène Chevreuil, her kayak guide “At our bivouacs, we systematically saw ospreys fishing. We also saw a family of beavers.
The beavers are coming back, the terns are there too… But above all, let’s respect them so that the Loire keeps all this biodiversity”, Philomène Le Lay
Respect all this biodiversity to better protect it, this is the goal of this Azur Loire project. A project to raise public awareness of the preservation of our royal river, the largest river in France.
“Unfortunately, we always come across waste which then goes directly into our oceans. As for the animals, it is an effect of the confinements, they come back. the beaver feels more and more at home, the terns are there too even if they are still struggling. There is hope, but we must realize that we must protect the Loire and its entire ecosystem”.
Philomène Le Lay will now return to Orléans to leave immediately or almost. Direction this time St-Brévin-les-Pins, on the Loire Estuary. Not swimming, but cycling.
His journey can be followed on his website or social networks.