Jean-Louis Pinault

The commune of Ligny-le-Ribault, which has preserved many communal paths, offers this magnificent hike in the Sologne region of ponds, home to deer, roe deer and wild boar.

There is no better way to discover the beauty and mysteries of the royal river between Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, two towns remarkable for their castles, than to follow the Loire à Vélo route on its right bank and the flood defence embankment on its left bank. The first part of the route is very busy, but further on you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Loire Valley and a peaceful atmosphere.

A discreet beauty that is often overlooked, the Mauves de Meung-sur-Loire branch is nonetheless a curiosity. The hike runs alongside and crosses the riparian forest, a corridor of vegetation consisting mainly of alders, ash trees and poplars. Consisting of three circular loops, the hike offers several possible variations.

From Cléry-Saint-André, this circular route leads to the wild banks of the Loire, just like the walk “From Cléry-Saint-André to the wild banks of the Loire (1)”, but the return route follows theGR®655East further west. It offers beautiful views of the Loire and allows you to appreciate the rich flora and fauna of its banks and islands.

A circular leading from the Basilica of Cléry-Saint-André, known for its architecture and history, to the enigmatic Butte des Élus, a burial mound dating back to the Iron Age. It is ideal for a family walk in the Val d'Ardoux.

A walk through the vineyards and orchards around Mareau-aux-Prés, best enjoyed in autumn to take in the colours of the different plots. Ideal for a family outing.

The Loiret river conceals a few secrets hidden in the greenery. To see for yourself, simply follow the trail that runs along its left bank at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, upstream from where it meets the Loire.

Located in the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve, at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret rivers, the Pointe de Courpain is known for its cool climate and exceptionally diverse wildlife. You will never tire of admiring the mills on the Loiret river as they change with the seasons.

The path taken on the way out of the hike, which crosses the Bois du Bignon and then the Bois Brûlé, offers exceptional views due to the slight relief (30m difference in altitude) and undergrowth illuminated by heather, whose purple flowers bloom from late summer to autumn. The dense or sparse vegetation, consisting mainly of deciduous trees, streams and ponds, provides ideal habitats for birds and large wild animals.

On foot or by mountain bike, this is a mainly woodland route, dotted with numerous ponds. Ideal for nature lovers seeking peace and quiet, offering total immersion in the heart of the “Sologne des étangs”.

A route that runs mainly through woodland. The dense or sparse vegetation, consisting mainly of deciduous trees, along with streams and ponds, provides ideal habitats for birds and large wild animals.

A route mainly through woodland, dotted with numerous ponds. Ideal for nature lovers seeking peace and quiet. An alternative route allows you to shorten the distance considerably.

A varied route, starting with a winding path along the Cosson, then a forest lane, ending in a maze of narrow streets and then a wooded area with contemporary statues near the Cosson.

A variety of gently rolling Sologne landscapes. Time seems to have no hold over the bourgeois residence of Mont Collier, facing its pond.

During this walk, you will see numerous ponds that are bird sanctuaries (herons, ducks, etc.), the Veillas stream and its fords, the typical brick castle of Les Rhuys, and perhaps large wild animals in this region of Sologne, which is rich in game.

The hiking trail climbs up to the village of Les Roches, a prehistoric site currently undergoing restoration, then leads to Pardines via the plateau before descending through a beautiful acacia forest. Here you can see the outcrop of ancient lacustrine sediments, known as Lahres.

The highlight of this walk is the magnificent Château du Mesnil, an exceptional site thanks to the beauty of its buildings, which watch over the Muids forest in the heart of the Sologne region. The path crosses a wide variety of landscapes: plains, oak and pine forests, and birch forests. The hike ends in the territory of a commune that no longer exists: La Motte Bonneville.

The walk follows the famous Chemin des Sables, with its heather, broom, mosses and lichens, and sections through mixed woodland. Beautiful farmhouses and homes dot the route.

Starting from Souvigny, a village that has remained close to its history with its remarkable church with a caquetoir, this is a walk through woods and moors to discover the architecture of the Sologne region.

This hike aims to revive memories of a vast, partly forgotten forest that once stretched across the present-day communes of Saint-Cyr-en-Val, Marcilly-en-Villette and Ménestreau-en-Villette. It ends in a riot of colour during the rhododendron flowering season (May to June), when the undergrowth around the Château de Villette is covered with these flowers.

The town of Beaugency, steeped in history, owes its economic development from the 11th century onwards to the water mills used for milling. Following the Ru valley, this walk will take you past historic monuments and through varied landscapes.

This walk in the grounds of Chambord begins by approaching the château along the left bank of the Cosson, continues along a small path winding through the forest and finally returns to the starting point via the right bank of the Cosson and the Pont Saint-Michel, offering a final, unforgettable view of the château.

The route is varied, sometimes overlooking the Loire or running along its banks, sometimes taking forest paths or paths through fields. A superb opportunity to get some fresh air and relax while reliving a page of history.

The walk leads into the heart of the Boulogne Forest. Separated from the Chambord estate in 1523 by order of François I, its main purpose is the production of high-quality oak. It is the perfect habitat for does, stags and wild boars, which can be spotted from the long, straight avenues. Best enjoyed in summer to make the most of the forest’s coolness.

Bauzy, a pretty village with Sologne characteristics, invites you to discover its paths and its secret heritage: manor houses, large stately homes and small châteaux.

The route offers a glimpse of the architectural and natural riches of the commune of Courmemin, and more broadly of the Sologne region: half-timbered houses in the village, Sologne farms, deciduous and coniferous forests, and numerous ponds.

This walk through vineyards and cultivated fields offers beautiful views of the Cosson river and the Château des Grotteaux, which is in a stunning location. Suitable for all seasons.

This circular route offers varied landscapes, sometimes crossing the "Cheverny" vineyard, sometimes following the banks of the Cosson. It provides a feeling of well-being along the high walls covered with vegetation that surround the grounds of the Château de Saumery.

A lovely walking route lined with heather, taking in several ponds and marshes, with a ford across the Tharonne and a superb view of the Château de Villebourgeon (18th century). Suitable for walking or mountain biking.

This beautiful hike begins with an approach to the Château de Chambord along the left bank of the Cosson, then leaves the Chambord park to join the Chaussée le Compte before returning to it. The route offers beautiful views of one of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley, while winding its way through cultivated fields, woods and the vegetation associated with the Cosson, known as "ripisylve".

This circular route follows white sandy paths lined with broom-covered heathland and heather-filled undergrowth, crossing numerous streams. It passes through the Lamotte Beuvron State Forest and winds its way through the beautiful villages of Vannes-sur-Cosson, Souvigny-en-Sologne and Sennely.

From one pond to another, around Marcilly-en-Gault, the walk can be enjoyed by the whole family in all seasons. It allows you to savour the charm of still waters where nature abounds.

A beautiful route for appreciating the landscapes of the Pays Fort. Moving from sunken paths hidden beneath hedgerows (known as ‘bouch’tures’) to open grassy tracks with views of the rolling hills of the Sancerrois offers walkers a variety of wild landscapes typical of the Sologne region of the Berry.

A rolling bocage landscape, typical houses in black and ochre sandstone, and a pyramid-shaped barn – a walk to reconnect with unspoilt nature.

A walk taking you from the Beauce plateau, reputed to be the breadbasket of France, to the Conie valley, which winds its way through a marsh where it has carved out its bed, significantly influencing the vegetation. Suitable for all seasons.

Starting from Huisseau-sur-Mauves, a village built around a huge castle, this is an easy walk between the Beauce plateau and the Mauves. These streams flow all year round amidst superb vegetation. Best enjoyed in spring or early summer when the splashes of colour from the various crops break up the monotony of the plateau.

A route mainly through woodland, criss-crossing cultivated areas in this northern part of Sologne, which boasts some fertile land. The first part of the route skirts the vast Villiers estate from the Parc des Dolines de Limère, a stone’s throw from the town of Orléans-la-Source. An opportunity to get some fresh air in the shade of chestnut, oak and Scots pine trees.

It is mainly a forest route that recalls the major development work carried out in Sologne, which began in the second half of the 19th century when marl was extracted and then transported by horse-drawn carts to improve the acidic soil.

If you enjoy the forest in all seasons, the game-rich high forests, and don’t mind feeling a bit isolated, then this route is for you.

A journey back in time to when, during the Second Empire, the Sologne region emerged from poverty thanks to the canals designed to transport marl—a natural mixture of limestone and clay—to fertilise its land. The route follows the towpath of the Sauldre Canal, which features no fewer than six locks, then passes through deciduous and coniferous forests with undergrowth of heather, as well as some moorland. It even runs alongside a modern farm!

An easy walk through fields and woods. This is an opportunity to discover some beautiful ancient oak trees as well as a sinkhole – a collapse caused by the dissolution of limestone by groundwater – which is a curiosity of northern Sologne.

A circular route in the Loire Valley offering beautiful views of the royal river and its islands, not to mention its small tributary, the Ardoux. In spring and early summer, the route is dotted with splashes of colour from the various crops.

TheGR®®3offers beautiful views of the royal river and its islands. Running along the right bank of the Loire, it reveals some vestiges of the Loire's maritime past, the cellars where wine was stored and the wine press house, not to mention the magnificent church of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin overlooking the river.

The route follows a quiet path running along the left bank of the Loire, as well as the banks of the Pie and the Loiret. It offers the chance to explore the Île de Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin nature reserve, home to numerous species of migratory and resident birds.

A short, very pleasant walk through the village of Suèvres, a former fortified town, and its surroundings. Numerous springs and rivers facilitated the construction of watermills as early as the Middle Ages.

Starting from Ménestreau, a typical village with red brick houses, this route aims to bring back memories of a huge forest with a variety of tree species, in the heart of the Sologne region of ponds.

Rivers or simple streams, steep slopes between forests and meadows, picturesque villages showcasing their old stone buildings, steeped in history – this is the Auvergne of volcanoes.

Suèvres, a former fortified town, is home to numerous springs and rivers which fostered the development of water mills from the Middle Ages onwards, powered by wheat from the Beauce region. Wash houses, mills and castles abound in this rich region of the Loire Valley.

This short walk allows you to admire the medieval fortress in all its glory and stroll through the castle grounds and along the dykes that protect the town from the river. Many migratory birds take refuge on the castle's magnificent lake.

The route winds through typical Sologne countryside with its wildlife, broom-covered heathland, woods, sheep pastures, areas of abandoned farmland and some cultivated fields.