Barlieu walks

A short and pleasant walk in the countryside near Barlieu.

Hike along sunken paths and through undergrowth, cross streams and return via the village of Savigny.

This hike begins with a crossing of the magnificent Briare Canal Bridge. This crossing is a privilege and if you are there early in the morning, you are sure to experience a range of emotions.It continues along paths that run alongside the canal parallel to the Loire, offering bucolic panoramas.

During this hike, you will almost always have a view of the entire vineyard and Sancerre. Depending on the season, you will see the pruning of the vines or the grape harvest. You will pass by the highest "peaks" in the region.

This route is offered by the Gien Town Hall to explore the town while learning about its history and discovering its heritage. As you progress, you will find information boards with explanations of the various historical points of interest identified. I am sharing it here, with my personal modifications to the route and the various points of interest, which are more or less in the same positions.

This beautiful circular walk begins along the Canal de la Sauldre, with its locks, small bridges and weirs. It then enters the forest, along long paths lined with ponds, and ends with an almost complete tour of the Étang du Puits, via Cerdon beach, the pretty path that winds between the trees along a small disused railway line, the crossing of the Bois aux Moines and, finally, the path that runs alongside the Canal and the beach at Argent-sur-Sauldre.

This first stage runs along the Loire to take you to Briare, a charming little town full of flowers, with its small river port. Please note: this hike can be done either as part of the 3-stage Gien - Cosne-sur-Loire hike, or on its own by taking the train from Briare back to Gien.

Hike through the vineyards, with beautiful views of the Loire.

A short walk along the Loire and through the valley, then along the hillside through the vineyards of Sancerre, following the old railway line connecting Cosne-sur-Loire to Bourges. Beautiful views of the river, the towns of Saint-Satur and Ménétréol, the town of Sancerre, the vineyards and the side canal. Best done in spring or autumn.

A very pretty circular route on the border between Cher and Loiret. Its long paths will take you to the Borne des Quatre Paroisses, the meeting point of the communes of Cerdon-du-Loiret, Brinon-sur-Sauldre, Villemurlin and Isdes. The walk through the forest on the border between Loiret and Cher is worth the detour alone.

In the foothills of the Sancerre region, overlooking the Berry countryside, come and discover some of the Morogues vineyards that produce the renowned AOC wines of Ménetou-Salon. This is also the starting point for the famous Morogues-Sancerre hike, which many people do at night and don't get to enjoy the scenery. On the way back, depending on the weather, you may be able to see Bourges Cathedral and the Berry countryside.

The suggested ride around Morogues will allow you to discover the different landscapes of this area: passing through vineyards, with views of the Berry countryside or the Sancerre region. It is a hilly route without any major difficulties that can be covered by mountain bike.

A walk that immerses you in the heart of the wine-growing landscapes of the Pouilly Fumé and Pouilly sur Loire AOCs. Bring your binoculars to observe the birds along the banks of the Loire.

The route goes from pond to pond around the village of Champoulet. There is wildlife to discover.

A signposted, family-friendly, shaded walk along the Breteau ditches that feed the Briare Canal. This easy route also takes you to the Étang de la Grande Rue lake and its dam. Suitable for pushchairs and bicycles, you can enjoy the cool shade of the undergrowth in summer and a dry path in wet weather.

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.