From the Étang de la Vallée to the Fontaine Longue in the Forest of Orléans

Start at the large car park near the Étang de la Vallée leisure centre.

Signposting for the “Promenade du Bois Bézard”

(S/E) Follow the Étang de la Vallée on your left along the road. This crosses the dam’s embankment before skirting around it.

(1) At the Carrefour des Petites Liesses, turn left onto the signposted path. This runs along the bank of the Étang de la Vallée until it meets a wide, compacted track, the Route des Petites Liesses, which you follow to the left. This initially runs alongside the lake before moving away from it.

(2) At the Carrefour des Étangs, turn left onto the^GR®3B(red and white markings), a hard-surfaced track known as the Route des Étangs. Once past the Étang des Liesses on your right, leave the^GR® and take a path that runs as close as possible to the pond. This eventually rejoins the^GR®3Bat the end of the pond, on the Route forestière de la Tribale, which you take to the right. Pass the Carrefour de la Cabane aux Cerfs.

White-red^GR®3markings

(3) At the next junction, known as Carrefour sans Nom, turn onto the first path on the left, the Courcy-aux-Loges forest road. At the Fontaine au Roi crossroads, keep slightly to the right to head towards the Belvédère des Caillettes. From the top of its 126 steps, it offers a panoramic view of the canopy of the Forest of Orléans.

(4) As soon as you pass the belvedere, leave the wide path and turn right onto the forest track leading to the Centre des Caillettes. Opposite the centre, turn left onto the compacted track, which you will leave after 150 m.

End of “Promenade du Bois Bézard” signposting

(5) Take the path on the right (still on the^GR®3B). Pass the Carrefour de la Haute Voie and continue straight ahead on the hard-packed track.

(6) After 200 m, turn left onto the forest track known as Route de l’Érable, then keep left onto the D137 until you reach the Carrefour des Neuf Routes.

End of^GR®3signposting

(7) Leave the tarmac at the junction, heading south-west onto the first path on the right, a quiet grassy track. The long, straight path known as the Route des Brûlis crosses the Carrefour des Brûlis. Turn left at the next junction onto the Route de la Feuille Morte.

“Promenade du Bois Bézard” signposting

(8) Continue along the Route de la Feuille Morte, passing the start point on your left, then leave it when you reach a small tarmac road known as the Route Forestière de Brisolles, turning right onto it. Leave this road at the next crossroads, known as the Carrefour de la Fontaine Longue, turning left onto the Route de Vitry à Châtillon. Pass the Bouillante forest house.

(9) At the crossroads, leave the tarmac and turn left onto the gravel track, Chemin de la Bouillante, following the sign for “Bouillante”. Cross the small road and continue straight ahead onto the Chemin du Château du Buissonnant. The track becomes tarmac at the entrance to the village of Seichebrières.

(10) At the crossroads in front of the town hall, keep left onto Rue du Bourg. Ignore the various turn-offs. This street leads onto Route des Brûlesses.

(11) Turn right onto the gravel track, known as the Route de Vitry à Boiscommun, then turn left at the Carrefour de la Vallée. The small road runs alongside the campsite before leading back to the starting point (S/E).

In the Orléans National Forest, access to the paths is restricted and reserved for “authorised users”, ensuring a peaceful experience for walkers.

The walk can be enjoyed in all seasons, particularly during the hottest part of the day as the paths are shaded...

The route follows the Promenade des Bois Bézard, which is signposted, but deviates from it when it joins the^GR®3B. You should therefore remain vigilant.

Places to see during the walk:

• the Étang de la Vallée leisure centre, which has picnic benches.
• the Belvédère des Caillettes and its orientation table, which offers a view of the canopy of the Forest of Orléans.
• the Forest of Orléans is ideal for wildlife spotting

In Combreux, the castle is visible from the D9 to the north of the village, just after crossing the Canal d’Orléans. Built in the Neo-Gothic style, it is surrounded by a moat.