Route from Étang des Vavres to Saint-André-de-Corcy

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Through fields and woods, discover manor houses, equestrian centres and, amongst other sights, the Étang des Vavres with its ducks, swans and extensive reed beds. The Étang des Vavres is under cultivation in 2023.

Details

n°17452840
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 7 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 7 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 296 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 282 m
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Photos

Horses
Château Le Bellieux

Description of the walk

The start is at the car park of Atelier 208 in Saint-André-de-Corcy.

(S/E) With the car park behind you, head towards the roundabout on the left. Continue along Allée des Marronniers until you reach a second roundabout.

(1) At the signpost for "Les Millières", head straight ahead towards Les Quatre Marronniers. Follow this road to the signpost at the junction of the same name.

(2) Continue straight on towards Le Bellieux. After passing the riding school, turn right onto the D2a and continue for about 500 m, taking care of the traffic. Continue to the signpost for Les Étangs des Vavres.

(3) Take the dirt track on the left towards Étang des Vavres. Follow this track to the road and continue along it to Bellieux Castle. Cross the D4 with care and continue straight ahead. After 700 m, the track leads to Thou de l’Étang des Vavres and the signpost for “Étang des Vavres”.

(4) Turn left and follow the dirt track. Ignore the first junction until you reach a second one with a signpost.

(5) Turn left towards Roussières, then at the hamlet known as Le Moulin à Vent, turn left again. Continue straight on, cross the D4 again, then take the track opposite until you reach the road (D2a).

(6) Turn right onto this road and follow it for about 200 m until you reach the junction with a dirt track.

(7) Turn left onto this track and continue straight ahead. You will come to the signpost for “Les Quatre Marronniers” again.

(2) Turn right towards Saint-André-de-Corcy and head for the roundabout.

(1) Continue straight on along Allée des Marronniers to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 289 m - Atelier 208 car park
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 293 m - Roundabout
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 292 m - Carrefour des Quatre Marronniers
  4. 3 : km 3.91 - alt. 284 m - Signpost for Étang des Vavres
  5. 4 : km 6.27 - alt. 287 m - Etang des Vavres (Saint-André-de-Corcy)
  6. 5 : km 7.7 - alt. 292 m - Signpost for Les Roussières
  7. 6 : km 9.49 - alt. 286 m - D2A
  8. 7 : km 9.78 - alt. 287 m - Dirt track
  9. S/E : km 12.31 - alt. 289 m - Atelier 208 car park

Worth a visit

The weekly market takes place on Sunday mornings; the walk can start from the market.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.1 / 5
User 4429231

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did this route with people who had recently had surgery, so it was perfect for them

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Hervebu
Hervebu

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

There are only two ponds left. The walk is therefore no longer very interesting, and I think it's really counterproductive for the region that the tourist office still promotes it, both here and in Lonely Planet guides.
Otherwise, if you live in the area, it's not bad for jogging...

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manaclo0811
manaclo0811
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Hello

12 kilometres on flat ground, well signposted, with no difficulty but nothing of interest. Two rather pitiful ponds with three herons and four moorhens. Otherwise, there was really nothing to see or even photograph.
No place to have a picnic; we regretted that.
No other walkers on this route – perhaps that explains why this walk was so mediocre

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Calirette
Calirette

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

In the forest and along the Étang des Vavres, we saw white and grey herons, moorhens and swans. There was very little water in the Étang de la Vavrette, but enough to spot some green-winged teals.
At point 5, we couldn’t see the path, so we walked along the field and managed to rejoin it further on.
Downside: lots of road.

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BV61
BV61

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A leisurely walk with no difficulties whatsoever. Some of the ponds have been drained and converted to farmland; at point 3, the
signpost is no longer there, and at point 5 the path on the left was inaccessible due to vegetation
so we extended the route by 1.8 km to rejoin the path at a place called Moulin-à-Vent. There is a spot for a picnic on the grass by the pond between points 4 and 5

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cavallier43
cavallier43

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A LOVELY WALK. Due to the drought, some ponds have been converted into farmland. It’s an easy, almost entirely flat route suitable for everyone; however, there are few or no places to stop for a picnic, and no benches, etc. The Vars pond is magnificent.

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Brune
Brune

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This route would have been lovely if the ponds hadn’t been drained. We didn’t see a single bird.

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GildO
GildO

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely day for a family route with the children; it’s a shame the ponds were dry, with no wildlife in sight!!
Dirt tracks, very few tarmac roads, pleasant stretches through the woods. We passed through riding centres, which the children loved.

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