The ‘Chemin des Caves et des Loges’ trail around Mareuil-sur-Cher

On arrival in Mareuil-sur-Cher, park behind the church, near the campsite and the post office, to the north-west of the village.

(S/E) Return to the main road heading south-south-west and cross the departmental road to reach Rue du Bas Guéret (towards “Orbigny”). Go round the old cemetery on the left by taking Rue de l’Égalité, then go round the new cemetery on the right by taking the path on the right.

You’ll enter the Mareuil Forest heading south-south-west. Information boards are situated in front of the most representative cellars.

(1) At this fork in the road, leave the^GR® 41, which heads off to the left, and take the path on the right. During this gradual climb, keep an eye out on the left for the numerous abandoned cellars (information boards).

Signposting for this walk is sparse: yellow circles or lines. Occasionally, there are directional signs for the ‘chemin des caves et des loges’. You’ll come to a stream.

(2) Cross the stream, continue following it on your left and you’ll reach another Fork in the road.

(3) Keep to your right and carry on to the hamlet of La Petite Lionnière.

(4) Turn left onto the tarmac road and continue straight on along the road at the end of the hamlet. Beautiful houses.
Further on, this road turns south towards L’Aillerie and becomes tarmac again (Rue de l’Aillerie, lovely houses).

(5) (a tricky section in terms of direction) Follow Rue de l’Aillerie, which heads south.
The street makes a first turn left then right, joining a wider road which you follow for 40 m.
Then this same Rue de l’Aillerie joins the Route de Céré. Turn left. There is little traffic, but it moves quickly, so take care.

Follow the Route de Céré for about 300 m and turn left, heading north, onto Rue des Bas Bonneaux. Continue until you reach a Fork in the road (elevation 143).

(6) Take the left-hand fork to join the Route des Hauts Bonneaux, which you follow to the right, heading due north, until you reach a junction with a dirt track on the right (elevation 134).

(7) Turn onto this dirt track and follow it until you reach a tarmac road.

(8) Turn right to pass through the hamlet of Vaugelée. At the end of the hamlet, continue along the grassy path that runs alongside the forest on the left. The path descends into the forest to join the Rue des Caves des Bas Bonneaux (signposted ‘chemin des caves et des loges’).

Go round the same woodland on the left, heading west again, leaving the Étang de l’Espace Mauduit on your right (information board). Cross the Allée de Vaugelée and continue along the path.

(9) First turn right then left to join Rue du Coudret. When you reach Rue de la Taille, turn right for 100 m to reach the main road (Rue de la République) and walk up it to the left for about 50 m.

(10) Almost opposite the town hall, turn right into Impasse de l’Abreuvoir (a very short cul-de-sac) towards the Cher. On the riverbank, follow the path to the left. This path goes round the perimeter of the campsite (please do not walk through the campsite out of respect for the guests).

At the end of the campsite perimeter, head up towards the tennis courts and finally turn left to pass between the campsite perimeter and the “Château”, returning to the car park behind the church (S/E).

No known water source.
Basic countryside walking gear; low-cut shoes are sufficient.
In summer, we recommend wearing long trousers and a shirt over a T-shirt, as there are bloodthirsty horseflies when you emerge from the forest; alternatively, use insect repellent.

The campsite and lodges in the village are well worth a visit.
The Beauval Zoo Park is very close by.
Do also visit Montrichard and its keep.
Enjoy the local AOC Touraine wines in moderation.
I discovered this walk thanks to the sign near the post office on Place de l’Église (starting point). There are two other routes that are longer in kilometres, but they don’t offer all the highlights of this one.