Refine your search for walks in Château des Vaux (Pontgouin et Saint-Maurice-Saint-Germain)
Château des Vaux (Pontgouin et Saint-Maurice-Saint-Germain) walks
From the Senonches forest to the Boizard locks
Visorando Member
13.66 mi
+594 ft
-594 ft
6h 50
Difficult
Departure from Senonches (Eure-et-Loir)
A beautiful hike, mostly in the woods around the Eure valley, starting from the Senonches State Forest and ending at the Boizard locks. Built in 1785 by Louis XIV's engineers, this structure was supposed to be the starting point of an unfinished aqueduct that would have carried water from the Eure to the fountains in the park of the Palace of Versailles. On the way back, discover the Château des Vaux and its gardens.
Grand tour of the Château des Vaux
9.24 mi
+312 ft
-325 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Maurice-Saint-Germain (Eure-et-Loir)
A route taking in the Boizard Locks and the Château des Vaux, passing through woods and fields around the Eure valley. The path first climbs to offer views of the Eure valley flowing between the forests of Senonches and Montécot towards Chartres. At the end of the17th century, Louis XIV and his engineers had hoped to channel the river’s waters as far as Versailles to supplement the insufficient water supply for the park’s fountains. The works could not be completed. A few remnants of this monumental project remain: the colossal embankment blocking the course of the Eure, a few traces of the canal, the gigantic embankment of the ‘terraces’ and the first storey of the aqueduct at the far end of the grounds of the Château de Maintenon. Charmed by this beautiful valley, the d’Alligre family, who had initially settled at the Château de la Rivière, expanded their estate by commissioning the splendid Château des Vaux, which today serves as a major vocational college run by the Fondation des Apprentis d’Auteuil.
Walks near Château des Vaux (Pontgouin et Saint-Maurice-Saint-Germain)
Senonches - La Loupe
8.30 mi
+207 ft
-217 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Senonches (Eure-et-Loir)
This last stage of our journey through the Vlaminck region takes us from Senonches to La Loupe. Initially mainly wooded, the route then crosses the Eure valley, passing close to the Fontaine-Simon water park, where you can stop for refreshments. La Loupe station provides a quick return to Paris-Montparnasse.
From Senonches to La Ferté-Vidame
11.71 mi
+167 ft
-72 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Senonches (Eure-et-Loir)
This first stage connects Senonches to La Ferté Vidame. Through the national forest, the route takes you to the village of La Framboisière, the Château de la Hézière, near which there was once a glassworks, and, via a long forest road, leads to La Puisaye. After skirting the Étang de Rouge, the path crosses farmland and arrives at La Ferté-Vidame, the stronghold of the Duke of Saint-Simon, famous chronicler of the court of Versailles. At the entrance to the park, in the Pavillon Saint-Dominique, home to the tourist office, the Maison Saint-Simon presents his life and work. A walk in the park allows you to contemplate the vast views, the ponds and the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de la Borde, which replaced the medieval fortress, the "favourite residence" of the memoirist, in the 18th century. Recently restored, the "little castle" once belonged to King Louis-Philippe, benefactor of the village. The classical-style Saint-Nicolas Church contains the tomb of the duke and his wife.
Manou, from Chemin du Moulin à Vent to Saint-Pierre de Cernières.
56.07 mi
+787 ft
-1,010 ft
8 hrs
Difficult
Departure from Manou (Eure-et-Loir)
This circuit begins in the heart of the Senonches Forest on wide, easy-to-ride paths, starting from the Rond de Condé, followed by a passage through La Ferté-Vidame and its rich historical past.Don't miss Moussonvilliers and its washerwomen at work at the Ruisseau de Grenouille wash house.Afterwards, cross various waterways, each one different from the other, including the Rivière de Saint-Maurice, the Avre, the Iton, the Risle, the Cauche and the Sommaire, the most difficult to cross.
From Moutiers-au-Perche to La Ferté-Vidame
Association / Club / Walk leader
17.47 mi
+653 ft
-466 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Moutiers-au-Perche (Orne)
This hike is the third stage of an eight-day, 200 km route, the Tour des Collines du Perche.The route leaves the beautiful village of Moutiers-au-Perche, above the church, and immediately enters the woods. It then passes through a beautiful valley and a long stretch of forest before reaching the grain-growing plains of the Eure valley. It then reaches the woods of Neuilly and the forest of La Ferté-Vidame, which it crosses to reach the small town of La Ferté-Vidame.
From La Ferté-Vidame to Tourouvre
18.39 mi
+476 ft
-446 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir)
This hike is the fourth stage of an eight-day, 220 km circuit, the Tour des Collines du Perche.
Thisfourth stage takes us along part of the northern edge of the Grand Perche with its large forests, which have changed very little since medieval times.
La Ferté-Vidame - Senonches
12.03 mi
+3 ft
-112 ft
5h 30
Difficult
Departure from La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir)
The second stage of this journey through Vlaminck country will take us from La Ferté-Vidame to Senonches via La Puisaye. After crossing an agricultural plain, the path takes us into the woods of La Saucelle, then into the Senonches State Forest. We will pass through Tardais, a small village where the painter often came to hunt with his friend Michel Erlisch, the village mayor, and where he painted a picture of the church as seen from the town hall. We will finally arrive in Senonches, a small town of character where he often went to enjoy joyful and hearty feasts with friends.
From La Ferté-Vidame to Senonches
12.56 mi
+108 ft
-220 ft
5h 50
Difficult
Departure from La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir)
For this second stage, fromthe town hall in La Ferté-Vidame, the route leads to the park entrance. After visiting the part open to the public, you unfortunately have to follow the wall of the former Citroën test centre. It was the birthplace of the "deux chevaux", the "traction avant" and many other models. Enclosed by this 13 km wall, it is impossible to cross, so you have to follow the D941 and D15.The route then crosses an area of farmland and copses. It passes by some pretty, well-restored houses. At La Pommarié, it finally reaches the woods. The Allée du Maupas leads to the Senonches State Forest, which you will follow for a long time. We pass at the foot of two remarkable majestic trees to reach the Grand Rond, a majestic star-shaped crossroads. After the village of Tardais, the route returns to the forest and leads to the entrance to Senonches. It crosses the town via the recently renovated and flower-filled main street.