From Chambon to Bonneau, from the hillsides to the Indre Valley

This pleasant walk starts in the hamlet of Chambon, near Villedieu-sur-Indre, and follows the southern slope of the Indre Valley to the village of Bonneau, returning via the northern slope, with some lovely views.

Details

589110
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 32 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 142 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 112 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the hamlet of Chambon, near Villedieu-sur-Indre, Place du Chaumiau, at the foot of the FFRP hiking signposts. The main trail markings are yellow.

(S/E) Take the small road to the south, cross the level crossing to reach the Moulin de Chambon.
Continue straight on over the bridge across the Indre, enter a wood and then follow the boundary wall of Chamousseau Castle, passing on the left a path leading to the Moulin de Gigault, then the small road leading to Le Puy.

(1) On the right, you can take the path for 200m there and back to admire Chamousseau Castle and its outbuildings. Continue south-west along the small road, pass the Chamousseau estate and turn right towards Saint-Bonnet.

(2) Cross the Grand Saint-Bonnet estate from the top heading west and take a path that crosses the Coteaux. Continue downhill to the next junction.

(3) Continue straight on at the two successive junctions, then head back up onto the D1 road.

(4) Take this road to the right, taking care as it can be quite busy.

(5) Turn onto the first road on the right which descends to the Indre river, then cross a wooded area.

(6) Reach a second bridge and turn right onto theGR®®46. It crosses a level crossing, first taking a small road to the right and then, 400m further on, a path heading south-east. Pass a path on the left and follow the old railway line.

(7) Continue straight on, ignoring the path leading uphill on the left.

(8) Ignore the small road climbing up to the left and theGR®®46ahead to cross the level crossing to the right: you can descend to the banks of the Indre via a small path for 50m, then return to take the stony track heading east. Follow this path to reach another level crossing, which you cross, then turn right to rejoin theGR®®46. This will take you back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 125 m - Chambon, near Villedieu, Place du Chaumiau
  2. 1 : km 1.7 - alt. 129 m - Château de Chamousseau
  3. 2 : km 3.1 - alt. 138 m - Grand Saint-Bonnet Estate
  4. 3 : km 4.56 - alt. 118 m - Go straight on at both junctions
  5. 4 : km 6.87 - alt. 132 m - RD1 on the right
  6. 5 : km 7.66 - alt. 120 m - Bonneau, first right
  7. 6 : km 8.18 - alt. 113 m - GR46 on the right after the bridge
  8. 7 : km 11.17 - alt. 119 m - Follow the GR46
  9. 8 : km 12.08 - alt. 121 m - Level crossing, then turn left
  10. S/E : km 14.13 - alt. 125 m - Return to Chambon

Notes

No water source.
No special facilities: roads and tracks suitable for vehicles

Worth a visit

Chamousseau Castle is private.

Picnic spots available on the banks of the Indre at Bonneau or at point (8) (50 m away)

Villedieu-sur-Indre

Buzançais

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
nikolporteur
nikolporteur
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely winter walk, accompanied by the calls of the corvids and the morning mist.

Machine-translated

RIRI trucmuche
RIRI trucmuche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very peaceful route with lovely views over the Indre Valley. The route involves very little road and is very quiet, so it’s suitable for pets. Don’t hesitate to take detours towards the castle and the Indre. There are plenty of animal tracks; we saw coypu, signs that wild boar come out at night to root around in the fields, and deer tracks.... The Tours-Châteauroux road is quite close by but virtually non-existent for walkers as there is no noise. The paths are clean and mostly stony, so I don’t think there are any problems in wet weather.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.