Beaugency walks

Starting in Beaugency, a medieval town rich in heritage, this hike leads to the Eaux Bleues de Tavers, the Ver Chapel and various wash houses, offering superb views of the Loire River.

Walking and hiking trails winding along the hillside above the Loire floodplain between Lestiou and Avaray. An excuse to discover two pretty little villages on the Loire, it also offers the surprise of six wash houses in just five kilometres. Very discreetly located, you have to take the time to look for them: the walk then becomes a treasure hunt with well-hidden treasures. The commune of Lestiou has two, while Avaray has four, including one oval wash house.

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.

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.

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.

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 small stream originates in a place called Bausdisson. It flows through the town from north to south and joins the Loire after a journey of around twelve kilometres. This small river, called the Tronne, gives the town of Mer a certain charm. In fact, Mera means "marsh" or "place covered with water" in Latin, which is the origin of the name Mer.

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.

Forests and ponds stretch out around La Ferté-Saint-Cyr, a typical village in the wooded and game-rich Sologne region, which has preserved its vast network of communal paths.

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.

Like many villages in the Sologne region, Crouy-sur-Cosson combines forest landscapes, ponds and architectural heritage. The first part of the walk takes place on wide paths on the edge or in the heart of the forest; the second part is more varied, dotted with ponds, the Cosson river, grassy paths and hamlets.

La Ferté-Saint-Cyr has preserved its many communal paths, all of which are marked and mostly protected from motorised vehicles. This circular route takes you along a variety of paths, skirting meadows, woods and ponds, before entering the heart of the forest, an ideal place for wildlife watching. The unique feature of this circular route is that it crosses the Cosson river twice, first via a narrow bridge and then via the Gué du Moulin Lauray ford; as you can imagine, you will need to take off your shoes.

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.

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.

Nature and culture go hand in hand on the banks of the Loire, between Fourneaux-Plage and Saint-Ay. The landscapes of the Loire, both at water level and higher up, are so beautiful, sometimes breathtaking, that it is easy to understand why the bishops of Orléans and famous men of letters came here on holiday.

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.