Chambon (Cher) walks

A charming home to Le Jacquin snails, the village of Chambon covers a large area.This walk takes you along lovely paths bordered by cultivated fields or pleasant meadows with charming little valleys.You can take the opportunity to fill your basket with snails in La Madeleine and with vegetables and meat in Les Charaquins.

A walking trail that runs alongside the Cher river and offers a pleasant walk through the forest before returning to this small village of 58 inhabitants. You can also enjoy other nearby trails: Chambon, Saint-Symphorien, Vallenay, Saint-Loup-de-Chaumes and theGR®41.

Nestled along the Cher, Châteauneuf-sur-Cher offers a walk punctuated by charming houses, rolling countryside, the majestic neo-Gothic Notre-Dame-des-Enfants basilica and the imposing 16th-century castle. You can even round off your visit by tackling the waves at the whitewater complex, with an hour of paddleboarding on the canal or a canoe trip on the Cher (booking required).

In Bruère-Allichamps, a stone topped with the French flag marks the geographical centre of France.Until the4th century, this stone showed Roman legions the right direction and bears the following inscription:Happy Augustus, Tribune for thethird time, Father of the Fatherland - Proconsul. Leagues: 14 from Bourges (Avaricum) 12 from Châteaumeillant (Mediolanum) 25 from Neris

On the banks of the Cher, Noirlac Abbey watches over its wooded countryside, which has been cultivated by Cistercian monks since the12th century.Still used for livestock farming, this area has retained its original landscape with its meadows surrounded by hedges. The hundred-year-old oak trees, wet meadows and ponds create a rare bocage landscape and protect 427 species. Founded in 1150, Noirlac Abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian sites in Europe.Today, it is a cultural centre and meeting place.

The Serruelles walk is a good warm-up before heading off to other nearby trails: Chavannes and its marsh, Saint-Loup des Chaumes or even Châteauneuf-sur-Cher and its Route des Loges de Vignes.You can combine this walk (Yellow Marker No. 7) with the Route des Loges de Vignes in Châteauneuf-sur-Cher (Yellow Marker No. 9).

The birthplace of the Grand Noir du Berry donkey breed, Lignières thrives thanks to its sporting and cultural events. Les Bains-Douches is a renowned contemporary music venue with a programme running from September to June. The Donkey Fair, held on Whit Monday, is a must for lovers of long ears. A route of the town of Lignières will allow you to discover more about this crossroads of trade.

This route, which can be explored on foot or by mountain bike, starts at the Les Sablons de Corquoy Sensitive Natural Area before passing through woods, fields and forest.

In Saint-Amand-Montrond, Lake Virlay is a popular spot for walkers and sailing enthusiasts. The streets of Saint-Amand are perfect for a leisurely stroll and lead you to the Chemin de ronde de la Forteresse de Montrond. Follow the Canal de Berry and discover the Gallo-Roman theatre in Drevant and the Pont Canal de la Tranchasse.

First stage of the hike from Meillant to the Tronçais Forest.

Leaving Meillant, you will pass through La Celle, Bruère, Saint-Amand-Montrond, Drevant, Colombiers, Coust and Charenton-du-Cher before finally reaching the Saint-Bonnet pond in the Tronçais forest (Allier). Discover the heart of France and its landscapes, as well as Meillant Castle, Noirlac Abbey, Virlay Lake, the Berry Canal and the Marmande Valley.

Climb up to the Grand Tertre, the last foothills of the Massif Central, which offers exceptional views of the Auvergne mountains on a clear day. Descend and follow the Canal de Berry before returning to the Petite Cité de Caractère of Drevant.

Construction of the Canal de Berry began around 1808 on the initiative of Napoleon I and was completed in 1841. It took its current name, "Canal de Berry", in 1830. Its creation required, among other things, the installation of 115 locks, one every three kilometres. It consists of three branches that meet at Fontblisse, which is point 0. Many barges used to travel along it, transporting grain, wood and iron ore. The canal was decommissioned in 1955.

The commune of Coust is located south of the Cher, on the border between Berry and Bourbonnais in the Chignon valley. In the past, the stream fed a large pond between Pied de Coust and the church. It turned the wheels of the mills at Touzelles and Petit Paris before reaching the Rouchat mill. In the past, this stream was essential for Saint-Amand as it fed the moats of Montrond Castle and then those of the Saint-Amand-sous-Montrond enclosure.

This walk allows you to discover the surroundings of Vicq-Exemplet through its "plain" and its large crops, which contrast with the usual bocage landscapes of the Boischaut-Sud region of the Indre. In addition to the Romanesque church of Saint-Martin (13th century), which houses part of the work of Abbé Aymond, you can also see the remains of the former Priory of Bois l'Abbé.

In the footsteps of the Master Bell Ringers between Berry and Bourbonnais, stage2.

The Maîtres Sonneurs walking trail between Berry and Bourbonnais, reworked for use by gravel cyclists and mountain bikers, with GPSFor gravel riding, the stages (50 to 60 km) can be combined for the fittest riders, making for around 100 km per day. It is a circular route, so you can start from any village along the trail; for horse riders, plan for 8 stages

This route allows you to discover the old part of the village of Culan. On a clear day, you can see not only the château but also the surrounding countryside from the viaduct. A short route to discover throughout the seasons...

This walk offers panoramic views of the Cher Valley and the partially filled-in Berry Canal. Start from the car park at Urçay church.The route is partially marked with yellow lines.

In the footsteps of the Master Bell Ringers between Berry and Bourbonnais, stage4.

A short walk to fully enjoy nature and its biodiversity.

This link between La Motte-Feuilly and Sainte-Sévère-sur-Indre allows you to take the Berry Romantique variant of the overall circular route "Itinérance sur les pas des Maîtres Sonneurs entre Berry et Bourbonnais" (Wandering in the footsteps of the Master Bell Ringers between Berry and Bourbonnais).

This route links La Motte-Feuilly and Sainte-Sévère-sur-Indre, allowing you to complete the secondary loops of the GRP® in the footsteps of the Master Bell Ringers: Berry Romantique and Marche berrichonne (in the opposite direction)

In the footsteps of the master bell ringers between Berry and Bourbonnais, stage 3.