Pnr Forêt d'Orient

Connecting Géraudot Beach on Lac d'Orient and the golf course located in the forest area, this route passes through different environments: meadows bordered by hedges, open farmland, dense deciduous forests, and the charming village of Géraudot.

Between lake and forest, countryside and orchards, this route includes the Sentier du Lapin Blanc (White Rabbit Trail). Revealing a preserved village and its barns, crossing a wood, open countryside and green meadows, running along the beach and the dyke, this route sums up all the attractions of the Forêt d'Orient Regional Nature Park.

Two villages notable for their heritage are linked by this route, which crosses the River Barse, winding through pastures and orchards – a landscape typical of the humid Champagne region. The path passes by the former abbey of Montiéramey and two manor houses in Montreuil-sur-Barse.

This easy, mainly forest-based route takes you through the century-old trees of the Grand Orient Forest, crossing forest streams, with just a short detour to the village of La Loge-aux-Chèvres.

Almost exclusively in the forest, this route offers a wide variety of deciduous trees, forest environments, and path widths. These damp woods are home to the yellow-bellied toad, a protected and increasingly rare species.

Partly following the Templar interpretation trail, the Salamander Trail and theGR® de Pays, this forest route offers original views such as that from the Fontaine aux Oiseaux dyke.

Half of this forest route follows the Vélovoie cycle path, revealing a wide variety of lakeside landscapes: the submerged forest of Lac d'Orient, the unobstructed view from the Lac du Temple dyke. This is in stark contrast to the dirt tracks of thesecond part of the route, which takes you through forests and countryside.

Crossing the Champagne plain, a former battlefield of Napoleon’s armies, this route follows an ancient Roman road, an old railway line, as well as the banks of the Aube and a path overlooking Lake Amance.

In the Forêt d’Orient Regional Nature Park, this is the route with the richest heritage, taking in the castle, the church and the market hall in Brienne-le-Château, and the Ecomuseum in Brienne-la-Vieille. Nature also has plenty of surprises in store, with a spectacular arboretum, an orchid lawn, the banks of the Aube and the castle’s forest path.

A wine-growing region producing champagne, the Côte des Bars has a hilly landscape. This route crosses countryside, vineyards and forests on either side of the Aube valley, linking the villages of Bossancourt, Dolancourt, Jaucourt and Arsonval.

Winding its way through the open countryside of the chalky Champagne region, this route passes by the Croît viewpoint. Linking the three villages of the Val d’Auzon commune (Auzon-les-Marais, Villehardouin and Montandon) and that of Brantigny, it offers views of four churches, two wash houses, a castle and the pretty River Auzon.

Alternating between the stone embankment, white paths bordering the countryside and forest trails, this route goes all the way around Lake Amance, revealing its sometimes hidden treasures.

Starting from a family-friendly beach, this route showcases the best features of the lakes of the Forêt d’Orient: it offers a pleasant mix of walking through a diverse state-owned forest and along the shores of Lac d’Orient, with stunning views of the submerged forest at ‘high tide’.

On the banks of the Aube, the meadows of the Pelouse des Brebis are home to remarkable flora. The information boards along the interpretive trail provide details on the fauna, flora and uses of this preserved natural area, which is classified as a Natura 2000 site.

At the foot of the windmill, the picturesque village of Dosches has preserved a fascinating heritage. The interpretive trail traces life in days gone by and its traditional trades, winding its way past half-timbered houses, the two churches and Rosson Castle.

On the shores of Lake d’Orient, the traditional village of Mesnil-Saint-Père has retained its authentic Champagne charm. The interpretive trail winds its way between the houses and orchards, between the harbour and the church.

To go birdwatching in the National Nature Reserve at Lac du Temple, an observatory has been set up by the Park. Access is on foot or by bike via a straight, well-maintained forest track (white path).

The Colossus with Feet of Clay is a short hiking trail of about 7 km. It invites hikers to discover the remarkable character of this forest area of the Orient Forest, and also addresses more serious issues such as climate change and the impact of humans on the natural environment. The originality of the Colosse aux pieds d'argile trail lies in its seven stations, each featuring impressive works of art. For example, gates symbolise the entrance to a peaceful space and, with their imposing presence, invite visitors to be discreet. A little further on, ceramic sculptures evoke the cultural heritage of the site and spark the imagination with traces of human history.