Jean-Louis Pinault

This figure-of-eight route, which mainly follows forest tracks, offers beautiful views of the Lignon’s white water.

In July, the scent of freshly cut hay will accompany you throughout this walk, which takes you through dense coniferous or beech forests at times, whilst at other times offering superb views of the Velay mountains.

Just upstream from Blois, this walk follows the terraces of the Loire, passing close to a remarkable site: the isolated bridge and its gardens.

A walk through a varied landscape where the marshes tell the story of their distant origins, shaped by the earth and the ocean, with low, undulating vegetation carved out by small streams, and their domestication by man, with salt marshes and oyster beds, not to mention the iconic cabanes à carrelet (fishing huts).

Between wooded areas and open landscapes, with the Velay mountains in the background, the Haut Lignon remains green during the summer months. Its granite houses evoke a rich past that has stood the test of time.

On the Ardèche plateau, this short hike is part of the history of silk reeling, which made the region prosperous from the early 19th century onwards. In July and August, you can enjoy blueberries, raspberries and wild redcurrants under the cool canopy of the forest.

Starting from Rocheux and its imposing 13th-century castle – which was remodelled in the 19th century and later became the Château des Énigmes – this varied route takes you through wooded areas and pretty hamlets, whilst offering panoramic views of the Haut Vendômois.

Along this route, natural landscapes—rivers, woods and hedgerows—are enhanced by the undulating terrain, alongside historic monuments and remarkable ruins, such as the feudal castle of Fréteval, whose keep dates from 1100, and the Grisset Tower, the ‘cella’ of an ancient Gallo-Roman temple, unique in Northern Europe.

Starting from the Ciran campsite, this short walk will introduce you to the many facets of the Sologne region: castles, a pond, forests, heathland, ducks, grebes and, with a bit of luck, roe deer and wild boar.

Once you leave the pretty village of Ligny-le-Ribault, the route follows shaded forest paths in the heart of the game-rich Sologne region, offering an opportunity to observe the flora and fauna characteristic of this environment.

In the Haut-Vendômois region, this route runs alongside the Loir valley, then winds its way through the shade of the banks of the Étang Saint-Lubin, takes a detour to the ruins of the feudal castle of Fréteval, before venturing through the fields, across a rolling landscape, to reach the pretty village of Saint-Hilaire-la-Gravelle.

Set in a rolling landscape shaped by ancient volcanoes, this walk will take you to the magnificent village of Yronde, whilst offering beautiful views of the village of Buron and its citadel.

The starting point for the hike, the village of Nonette is perched on a volcanic hill overlooking a circular bend in the Allier River. After climbing to the top of the ancient volcano to enjoy a 360° view of the Lembron and the Val d'Allier, this former dyke, on which Gallo-Roman remains have been discovered, will guide you along the route dotted with pretty villages rich in culture and history.

A short, idyllic walk through the Grand-Pierre and Vitain Valleys Nature Reserve. In a vast, slightly wooded wilderness, the route reveals a rich natural and archaeological heritage.

Starting from Parentignat Castle, known as ‘the little Versailles of Auvergne’, the route crosses a rolling landscape criss-crossed by numerous streams and dotted with a few villages. It offers a beautiful view of the extensive Durette estate.

Well known to the people of Loiret, the charming, shaded walkway of the mills of the Loiret never fails to surprise those who discover it, a place shaped by milling activities that continued for centuries. It is an opportunity to enjoy the calm, cool waters of the river, explore the network of Olivet's narrow streets and appreciate the Donjon and Poutyl parks.

Starting from the village of Chambon-la-Forêt, known for Château de la Luzerne, the route will take you deep into the vast Orléans Forest. The undergrowth, filled with ferns and heather, is home to large wild animals in the tranquillity of the state-owned forest.

This idyllic walk follows the Rigole de Courpalet, which was dug at the end of the 17th century to feed the Canal d’Orléans. Abandoned after a few decades of use, it has for three centuries been home to numerous wild animals that come to drink there, as well as a wide variety of birds. The route ends in the old town of Lorris with its market hall, church and town hall.

During the hike, you will discover the white water of the Couze Pavin, the rocky landscape of Puy de Lavelle and its brightly coloured flora, magnificent views of the Couze valley and, of course, the village of Saint-Floret with its rich heritage.

A hike between the Nibelloise countryside and the Forest of Orléans, passing by the 16th-century Château du Hallier and the Fontaine de Sainte Radegonde. According to legend, the Queen of the Franks struck the ground with her heel and caused a spring with miraculous properties to gush forth.

In the heart of the Ingrannes Forest, sometimes following wide, sun-drenched avenues and at other times narrower, shaded paths, this route is ideal for forest lovers wishing to spot large wild animals, listen to the birds, or simply breathe in the fresh air, far from roads and villages.

A must-see route in the Forest of Orléans due to the diversity of its landscapes, ranging from ponds to dense or sparse forests, which are prime habitats for wildlife. The vast Vallée pond, which was originally created to feed the Orléans Canal, has become a leisure destination with its water sports centre, banks ideal for fishing, and paths perfect for a stroll.

In the heart of the Orléans Forest, the route will take you near the 16th-century Château du Hallier, then to the viewpoint on the Caillettes hill at the highest point of the Orléans Forest: an opportunity to admire the surrounding mountains as far as the eye can see.

In the heart of the Forest of Orléans, with its fern-filled undergrowth ideal for spotting wildlife, this short, shaded walk passes numerous ponds.

In the heart of Lembron, a land of ancient volcanoes and lava flows, the village of Ronzières winds around a basalt hill. Proud of its oppidum, this stronghold was used as early as the first millennium BCE.

Monthou-sur-Bièvre, a village nestled amongst the vineyards of the Touraine appellation, boasts an abundance of gently rolling wooded areas that are a delight for nature lovers.

In the heart of the Sologne wine-growing region, the grassy paths link the vineyards, wooded areas and architectural remains of the commune of Les Montils, which was a stronghold in the 12th century.

Between theGR® de Pays de châteaux en châteaux trail and the banks of the Loire, this walk offers beautiful views of the river, as well as of the Cosson, and concludes at the 16th-century Château de la Borde in Candé.

Starting from Charbonnières Park in the Orléans Forest, also known for its château, the route leads along the banks of the Bionne, a pretty stream with silvery reflections, and to the gates of the Château de Plissay, built in the pure Restoration style.

The hike first follows the towpath of the Canal d'Orléans and then returns to Fay-aux-Loges via the Orléans National Forest. You will enjoy the still waters of the canal and its many reflections, its locks, its wildlife, then the wide forest paths, and finally the stone bell tower of the church as you approach the village. Please note that on 19 February 2023, I was informed that part of the route along the canal is closed for works for an indefinite period (no end date displayed).

This walk takes you to the left bank of the Loire, a prime spot for spotting beavers and the many species of birds that inhabit the river’s shifting islands. It can be enjoyed throughout the year.

A walk through the Cheverny AOP vineyards, best enjoyed after the grape harvest to take in the autumn colours of the various plots, enhanced by the gently rolling hills.

The route first follows the Couze Pavin, whose white water flows down from the crater lake of the same name, then climbs the plateau towards Chazeras, offering beautiful views of the magnificent village of Saint-Floret, then Tourzel, before descending to Saint-Cirgues-sur-Couze and its château.

This easy walk in the heart of the Sologne des Étangs region is particularly suited to lovers of wild aquatic wildlife, taking in the Étang de Beaumont observatory, a protected natural site where you can observe nature in complete tranquillity.

Neuvy, on the edge of the Chambord Estate, lies at the heart of the Bois de Boulogne.A family walk to spot the forest’s large animals and the many birds on the Étang de Montperché.

A pleasant walk to discover the typical landscapes of Sologne, with woods, meadows, ponds and châteaux, including the 17th-century Château de Villebourgeon.

La Marolle-en-Sologne, a Sologne village with its landscapes of forests, ponds and châteaux, combines historical heritage and game-rich lands. The route passes by the 18th-century Château de la Giraudière and the village of Villeny with its brick and timber houses. The return journey is via theGR® de Pays de Sologne.

This lovely, easy walk, perfect for wildlife spotting, is ideal for families, taking in the banks of the Bièvre and its ponds, as well as varied landscapes including vineyards, woodland and farmland.

Fougères-sur-Bièvre combines exploration of its historical and architectural heritage (castle, church, wash house) with its varied landscapes, and takes pride in its rich wine-growing tradition.

Nestled on the edge of the Sologne region, Viglain reveals the riches of its countryside, with its woods, heathland, ponds and streams, not to mention the Sully-sur-Loire golf course, a vast green space dotted with trees of various species.

A village of Gallo-Roman origin, Saint-Gondon is situated on the borders of Berry, Sologne and the Loire Valley. The first part of the walk takes in the bucolic charm of the Aquiaulne Valley, whilst the second follows little-used paths, winding through a mix of woodland and farmland, not to mention a few heathlands.

The walk offers the chance to explore unspoilt countryside, much loved by those who adore the Sologne region, mainly through woodland. The Étang du Puits, with its water sports facilities, makes for a refreshing stop.

In this undulating landscape of the Pays Fort, the walk winds its way through pastures, farmland and wooded areas rich in game, following the ‘bouch’tures’ – a term used by the people of Berry to describe the tall hedgerows lining the hedgerow-lined paths.

This is an iconic route in Pierrefitte-sur-Sauldre, a village in the Sologne region renowned for its game-rich forests, ponds and brick architecture. The Étang des Césars, remarkable for its size and rich wildlife, inspires tranquillity.

Peaceful woods and ponds teeming with birds punctuate this route, which has very few tarmac sections. The grand mansions of the Thouards and the Tapinets bear witness to the wealth of the lords of Sologne in days gone by. As for Mont Collier Castle, it has remained untouched by the passage of time.

Set amongst forests, ponds and architectural heritage, the route allows you to appreciate all the riches of the Sologne region and its wildlife. The superb Château du Mesnil can be admired from the walking trail, set in its exceptional surroundings.

A lovely circular route rich in numerous buildings weathered by time—houses and farms from the Sologne of yesteryear—as well as landscapes typical of this region: sheep pastures, but also marshy areas, forests, hedgerows and ponds teeming with a wide variety of wildlife.

Starting from Millançay, the walk takes in deciduous forests, ponds and sheep pastures set within an unspoilt landscape. A few trees, several hundred years old – survivors of the vast forest that once covered the Sologne – tell their story.

A ‘favourite’ hike that captures the authentic essence of Sologne, taking in the heritage treasures of the village of Fontaines-en-Sologne, the vast, shimmering ponds and the ancient, diverse forest, rich in flora and fauna.

Starting from the village of Neuvy, the route heads deep into the magnificent Boulogne Forest, home to a wealth of wildlife.