Dominique Louis

An easy family walk through the typical landscapes of Sologne, featuring several hedgerows of pollarded oaks: these pollarded oaks served as the farmers’ timber supply and formed hedgerows on an embankment enclosing the pastures.

Close to the Loire, this fairly easy route runs alongside the Sologne region with its landscapes of woodland and farmland. Several points of interest (a pond, hedgerows, livestock farms) add a touch of variety to a route largely characterised by its woodland atmosphere. Best avoided during the hunting season from late September to February.

The juggler is one of the figures from the Gallo-Roman treasure found at Neuvy-en-Sulias in 1861 and displayed in the permanent exhibition in the garden adjoining the town hall. This very pleasant route offers a fine variety of landscapes typical of the Loire and Sologne regions, comprising three interwoven features: the wooded bocage and its meadows, the mixed deciduous and coniferous forest with few straight lines, and the open agricultural plain. The River Loire and the Leu stream provide a refreshing finale to the walk. A wealth of points of interest punctuate and enliven this route: a 16th-century château, the former port of Bouteille, a tile works listed as a historic monument, a windmill… The route is marked in yellow by the FFR and featured in the guidebook ‘La Sologne à pied’.

Quite close to the Loire between Sully and Châteauneuf, on the edge of the Sologne region, a family walk in the countryside. Starting from a charming village where a Gallo-Roman treasure was found in the 19th century.

A hike offering great contrasts between the open fields of the first part and the wild banks of the Loire in the second part, with its unspoilt natural site known as "Entre les levées". Proposed by the tourist office as part of the Randonnée des Châtaignes (Chestnut Hike), this route was very popular with hikers.

On the edge of the Sologne, this circuit brings together the typical landscapes that make up the charm of this natural region near the Loire: meadows, ponds, forests, interspersed with crops and pretty brick houses. The little river Sange brings it to life and gives it a little relief. Marked in yellow, this route is also signposted in places as "PR® de la Vallée de la Sange - P 11". Despite two sections on the road, 70% of this circuit is on unpaved paths.

Mainly on dirt, sand or gravel paths, this fairly easy circuit takes you through the peaceful and varied landscapes of the Sologne: ponds, forests, hedgerow-enclosed pastures and interspersed crops. At the start and finish, the pretty village of Villemurlin offers a typical Sologne charm with its brick houses and blue ladders, reminders of a time when the attic was accessed from outside. Initially shared with the family path of Villemurlin (the "chouette promenade" or "owl walk"), this route then takes a shortened version of the former "PR® des domaines de chasse et cultures" (hunting grounds and farmland), of which a few signs remain.

Alternating between meadows, forests, ponds and farmland, this route presents no difficulties. It begins and ends majestically on the banks of the Loire. This is a shortened version of the former "PR® des Rauches" with 76% of the route on unpaved paths.

Very close to Limoux, amidst the vineyards producing the famous Blanquette, this is a fairly easy route, though slightly undulating compared to other routes in the region. The ridge offers sweeping panoramic views and the paths wind through varied landscapes, from the grassy valley floors to the woodland on the hilltops. Yellow markings with a blue dot

On the Chemin du Piémont, the most Pyrenean route to Santiago de Compostela, between Fanjeaux and Mirepoix, here is a fairly easy circular walk to enjoy the countryside of the Razès, amongst vineyards, fields and woods, starting from a typical hilltop village built in a circular layout.Yellow markings (particularly when walking in the opposite direction).

A fairly undulating walk through the hills around the picturesque village of La Cassaigne, half along quiet country lanes and half along footpaths offering lovely views. Yellow signposting (in the direction described only).

An easy family walk between the preserved centre of the old town of Bram and the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following a secure greenway between the town and the canal, the route also takes in the canal towpath and a quiet little road. Strolling through the circular village is a pleasure: in this medieval village built in a circle, it is impossible to get lost. This preserved and enhanced heritage site is truly unique.

A challenging forest circuit on hilly paths with sweeping views over the first hills of the Piège. It is an ideal training ground for keeping fit or preparing your legs for the mountains. Mont Carrière, the highlight of the walk, has four orientation tables, but it is not the only panoramic viewpoint on this circuit, which offers many beautiful sights.

At the foot of the Montagne Noire, this route passes by the Cenne-Monestiés dam, runs along the Lampy river as it climbs towards the village of Villemagne, before gently descending along a path offering a wide view of the Lauragais.

Away from the village of Villasavary, starting from the car park below the Besplas leisure centre (in front of the "Bois de Villasavary" sign), this hike crosses the first hills of La Piège, offering a landscape of meadows, woods and fields. Follow the yellow markings and the wooden signs for "Besplas" or "route de Besplas".

From the banks of the Risle, which have been developed for walking, to the forest bordering the valley, this varied route links the residential village of Manneville and the town of Pont-Audemer. It offers a lovely walk in Normandy between town and country, with interesting heritage sites and beautiful views. The route is not signposted in its entirety (geolocation recommended with Visorando) but is based in part on theGR® 224 and the yellow-marked Chemin des Résistants.

In this small, well-hidden valley, the paths feature an impressive collection of trees pollarded by human hands. Adorning the embankments of the meadows, these sinister silhouettes are known as ‘trognes’ in the Norman dialect. On the edge of the Montfort Forest, this valley also offers a wooded landscape reminiscent of the Vosges, contrasting with the meadows of the typically Norman bocage. Unmarked route; a shortcut from the ‘Chemin du Chêne à la Vierge’, which is marked in yellow.

There are two possible routes: a short one of 4 km or a long one of 8 km (72% dirt tracks). This varied and easy route offers an interesting heritage with the Manoir du Val and its elegant brick dovecote, the small Manoir du Thuit and the Villa des Bruyères, not to mention the church and a typical thatched cottage at the start. Long stretches through the woods alternate with more open landscapes on the agricultural plateau. The occasional disturbance from the nearby motorway is quickly forgotten.

Typically Norman, La Haye-de-Routot is a charming village attached to its traditions and craftsmanship. Starting from the church, an easy route suitable for all ages reveals a varied landscape with a beautiful collection of pollarded trees intertwined with hedges and tall beech trees in the national forest, pretty bocage valleys and views of the agricultural plain. This route is largely unmarked and shortens the yellow-marked route.

Disused since the 1970s, the old railway line offers a superb elevated view of the Risle Valley. It makes for a lovely walk starting from a quiet, charming village and passing through the Montfort State Forest. Along the way, you’ll come across some remarkable trees, a small valley with a dry riverbed, a lovely patch of wooded countryside and, occasionally, a few cows, goats, hares or roe deer.

The stork has become the marsh’s iconic symbol: when the young stork takes flight from its family nest, it discovers this unspoilt natural landscape as it circles this ancient circular bend of the Seine, nestled within a vast amphitheatre of greenery. With its wet meadows stretching as far as the eye can see and its pretty thatched cottages, the Marais Vernier offers a landscape unique in Normandy that invites you to take a stroll, particularly in spring when the apple trees are in bloom.

Far from the modern world, a small valley hidden between meadows and forest reveals an intimate and authentic Normandy, with magnificent trees, sunken paths, fresh springs, typical thatched cottages and rolling landscapes. This route is not marked, hence its name "secret walk": geolocation is therefore recommended.

Overlooking the Seine, the pretty village of Sainte-Croix-sur-Aizier borders the Brotonne State Forest, offering a hilly, shaded walk that alternates between the charms of the bocage and the canopy of tall beech trees.

The pretty village of Mauny has a rich heritage with its imposing castle and numerous old houses. The forest covers half of the route and contrasts with the open agricultural plain. The Grotte du Maquis, a sandstone cross and beautiful trees also line this pleasant route. A shorter version of the yellow marked route starting from Barneville-sur-Seine, retaining its main points of interest but removing the two sections on the fairly busy road.

Off the beaten track, this route follows the bottom of a somewhat secluded valley and the edge of the Brotonne State Forest. It also offers a few surprising sights: a chapel in the heart of the countryside, a row of pollarded trees silhouetted against the light at the forest’s edge, and tall beech trees…

Shortened version of the marked route starting from Ajou, retaining the interesting views of this high valley of the Risle, its mills, including the very pretty Rouge Moulin, the charming village of Champignolles and forest passages that are enjoyable in summer. On the other hand, the 4 km to Ajou are of little interest, hence the suggestion to start from the church of Saint Aubin. Yellow markings

In Normandy, in the countryside near Pont-Audemer, there is a valley that has been preserved from urbanisation. The Véronne valley is ideal for walking along its sunken paths, which offer beautiful rural landscapes, natural sites of great beauty and interesting examples of built heritage. This unmarked route crosses three official marked routes: one light blue route starting from Campigny (CY), one yellow route and one dark blue route starting from Saint Martin Saint Firmin (SM).

2 possible routes: a short one of 4 km or a long one of 9 km. Set in the heart of the bocage countryside, this route is bordered for nearly 60% of its length by embankments and hedgerows that form a well-preserved bocage landscape. Easy and flat, this route offers a lovely walk through typical Normandy countryside, amidst meadows and fields.

Near Honfleur, the little river called the Orange flows through a preserved valley. The paths run through a landscape of meadows enclosed by hedges with beautiful half-timbered houses, a true essence of Normandy.

In the Montfort National Forest, an extended version of the Yellow-marked trail starting from the Saint-Vincent visitor centre, with a higher proportion of unpaved paths. Combining a wide variety of woodland settings, alternating between narrow paths and wide lanes, this route also offers an escape into a typical Normandy bocage landscape.

Unmarked route, rich and varied, almost exclusively on paths. The ruins of the medieval castle and the banks of the Risle at Château la Motte provide a beautiful end to this hike, which offers a wide variety of landscapes, between the national forest and the Claireau valley, as well as elements of natural heritage (remarkable trees) and historical heritage (Château la Motte, 18th-century wash house, etc.).

A flat, marshy valley, especially in winter, the Risle valley is bordered by forests on both sides. The ponds dug inthe 20th century alternate with the wet meadows of the ancestral Norman bocage. Encompassing all these landscapes, this route offers one of the few possible crossings of the Risle valley on footpaths.

Near Brumare Castle, a statue was erected to thank the Virgin for sparing the inhabitants during the War of 1870. Restored and refurbished in the 2010s, it is well worth a visit. This hilly section of the national forest, somewhat wild and labyrinthine, offers landscapes reminiscent of the Vosges, with a strong presence of conifers on the slopes. Local history permeates the area: the Marquisate Wood, the Virgin’s Oak, the New World, etc. Unmarked route

Away from the marked trails lies a small valley with no waterways but full of charm. It is so hidden that the nightjar, a rare bird in Normandy, has been spotted there during its migration. Starting from the pretty village of Thierville, itself set apart from the Risle valley, this route takes you through varied forest environments and offers beautiful encounters such as the remarkable "Four Brothers" tree.

Far from the towns and the hustle and bustle of human activity, enjoy a bucolic stroll through the woods and meadows of Normandy. Starting from Place de la Noë, 2 km from the village of Romilly-la-Puthenaye, the mainly forest paths offer a very pleasant walk leading to the old Moulin de Bougy mill in the Risle valley.

This fitness route takes in some secluded little valleys on the outskirts of the Montfort State Forest. Whilst the forest makes up two-thirds of the route, the Val Dallet also offers views of wooded countryside featuring some very beautiful and very large pollarded trees.

Rivers, meadows, pollarded trees, sunken lanes through the bocage, forest... this peaceful walk offers a real taste of Normandy with beautiful discoveries: green landscapes, heritage sites and a park in a forest. Short version of the Three Rivers route marked in yellow. Unpaved paths: 75%

Improved version of the Blue marked route, starting from the Town Hall Square (superbly refurbished) to include a tour of the town, whose heritage is interesting and enhanced by recent developments.