Châteaudun walks

Located on the natural border between Beauce and Perche formed by the Loir River, Châteaudun is built on a rocky spur. The route circles the remarkable natural site of the Bois des Gâts or Gas. Open to the public, this 23-hectare site is protected by the Natura 2000 programme.

This is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable hikes in this wood. At the start, there is a beautiful view of Moléans Castle, followed by a lovely walk through the forest. Then there is a very pleasant crossing of the fords and a walk along the banks of the Loir. The return through the forest allows you to finish in peace and quiet.

The Yerre river approaches, accompanied by scents and sounds that it seems to have carried from the depths of the forest, before flowing along the edge of the Perche region and joining the Loir river above Cloyes.

A beautiful walk in the former fiefdom of the turbulent Gouet barons. Like Brou, La Bazoche continues a long tradition of fairs and markets. For over 100 years, the Percheron foal fair has been held on thefirst Saturday in November.

A pleasant and easy walk on either side of the Loir.

The Étang des Panses lake can be seen along a path where it is not uncommon to encounter forest animals. After the forest, you will discover Percheron fruit trees at the Miermaigne conservation orchard; in mid-November, you can take part in the Apple Festival.

Circular loop around the Bois des Tertres and the ponds of Fontenay-sur-Eure.

The "Terres Douces" countryside reveals a heritage full of charm: the former Priory of Les Châtaigniers and the Manoir de la Guillerie.

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.

Walk through the woods and along the Houzée valley with its beautiful mills. Very beautiful valley.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful views of the Perche hills and the Vinette Valley. This route follows paths and small roads with little traffic.

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.

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.

This route will take you from the world of vineyards to the defence line of the Saint-Rimay Tunnel. From cellars to blockhouses, you will also discover two restoration projects led by the Résurgence association along the way. A beautiful view of the Loir valley will accompany you for much of your journey.

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.

A walk in the Eure valley, without any major difficulties but with a few slopes through fields, woods, stony and grassy paths, and then a little tarmac and a few houses too. This walk can also be done by mountain bike or hybrid bike.

Although many birds can be found here despite global warming, parakeets have not yet colonised the site! Discover these ponds, an integral part of the Perche landscape. Although medium-sized (20 hectares), they constitute a wetland of great importance. Starting from the hamlet of Perruchet between the ponds, the route offers beautiful views of the lakes from the small road overlooking the valley. A road, believed to be Roman, the Chemin de Jules César, approaches the Étang de Perruchet. Leave it to go around it to the south. The route then leads to the Touraille farm and returns via Haut Coudray and the heights of the Teillière Pond, where an information board provides a better understanding of these landscapes between Beauce and Perche.

In fact, here you will only find a few undulations caused by the streams flowing towards the nearby Eure. This small 637-hectare national forest is surrounded by a bridle path and criss-crossed by straight paths. The D103 crosses it from east to west and is not very busy. A high-voltage power line divides the forest. Parallel to the D103, it overlooks a large clearing and is bordered by a well-maintained path. A long north-south lane, formerly part of the GR®35 hiking trail, marks the boundary of the private woods to the west. Finally, the Merise forest road connects the D920 to the D103: closed to cars from Rond de la Félicité to Rond de Diane.This network of paths allows you to combine numerous circular paths or take shortcuts. Just make sure you don't leave the state-owned forest, which is bordered by an embankment. Private woods are located all around. These woods are rich in game, and large animals are shot there, so it is wise not to venture in on hunting days!

This route, starting from the wash house in Saint-Éliph, allows you to discover the two aspects of the countryside around the village. It passes through Auberdière and Grande Cour, then Petite Butte and follows Chemin de César to Touraille through a landscape of meadows and hedgerows typical of the Perche region. It returns to Saint-Eliph along roads and paths on the plain, the first signs of the Beauce region. With many quiet, small tarmac roads, it is recommended as a winter route when the nearby forest paths become difficult.

This circular loop takes you along the most beautiful paths in the commune, but returns via roads. Don't hesitate to take this route, as the beautiful site of the Saint-Éliph wash house with its picnic area, the pretty hamlet of Vaufermé, the sunken path leading up to La Haisonnière, and the views of the Perruchet and Théllière ponds, a protected bird sanctuary, make for a varied and enjoyable walk.

At the edge of the Montécot Forest, this circular route takes you past pretty little farms connected by winding roads. The bridle path on the western edge of the forest offers beautiful views of the countryside towards La Loupe.

The path taken on the way out of the hike, which crosses the Bois du Bignon and then the Bois Brûlé, offers exceptional views due to the slight relief (30m difference in altitude) and undergrowth illuminated by heather, whose purple flowers bloom from late summer to autumn. The dense or sparse vegetation, consisting mainly of deciduous trees, streams and ponds, provides ideal habitats for birds and large wild animals.

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.