From the Senonches forest to the Boizard locks

In the Senonches National Forest. Parking is available at the Rond Bergon car park located at the crossroads of the D941 and D140.14.

No signposts

(S/E) With your back to Senonches, go down the second forest road on the left, known as Ligne de la Rachée. Cross the Route de la Mare Ronde. Shortly before the end, follow the GRP® Vallée de l'Eure trail on the left. It climbs quite steeply to a forest crossroads.

Yellow and red markings

(1) Keep to the right and take the path that becomes a road at the edge of the forest, Rue de la Forêt. Beautiful view of the Eure valley. At the small transformer, take the path on the right that descends to the Fontaine-Aubert pond.

Yellow markings

(2) Walk around it. Then climb back up to Rue de la Forêt. Take it to the right until you reach the D 928.

Yellow and red markings

Cross it very carefully and continue opposite along Rue des Graviers, which becomes a stony path. Continue to a crossroads at the edge of a wood near Bel-Air. Leave the GRP® here.

No markings

(3) Turn left onto Route du Bois Guillaume and continue for about 1 km. After the last houses, follow the wide gravel path. Walk along the woods of Saint-Germain and reach a small road near Les Gâtines.

(4) Turn right and go around La Guinière. At the D155, turn right, cross Les Frétis to reach the crossroads with the D347. (Stone cross). Turn right, reach the D347.13 and follow it to the right until you reach the crossroads before La Bondancière. Turn right until you reach the houses of La Bondancière.

(5) Take the path on the left, then turn left at the fork. Walk through the woods until you reach a track and go down it on the right. When it turns right, leave it and continue downhill opposite through the woods. At the T-junction with a path, turn left to immediately join the D347.6 and follow the road to the right. Leave the return path on the right. Continue straight ahead on the GRP® to reach the Boizard locks.

Yellow and red markings

(6) From the locks, retrace your steps to take the return path. Go back up the road to the path that leads into the woods on the left.

(7) Turn left onto the path that cuts across a large driveway blocked by cables. Continue straight ahead, passing close to the entrance to a gravel pit and crossing the Eure river via a bridge. Take the D349.2 on the right and follow the road. After La Planche aux Chiens, after the small bridge, go up the stony path on the left and arrive at the Petites Boussardières farm.

(8) Go around the farm and follow the path. At the fork, go down to the right until you reach the road. Turn right and then immediately left to take the path closed by a barrier. Follow this path to the stairs at the entrance to the Château des Vaux.

(9) You can see the dovecote as you climb the stairs and walk up to the front of the building, then return to the bottom of the stairs and continue along the road, going through the gate. A few dozen metres further on, take the path on the right overlooking the river, then turn away from it at the fork and climb up to the left to the village hall of Saint-Maurice-Saint-Germain. At the end of the path, follow Rue de la Mairie to the right, pass the town hall and the school and you will reach the church.

(10) Turn right, cross the river (old mill). After the bridge, climb left up the path and join Chemin de l'Epinay. Continue, then turn right and immediately left onto Rue de Saint-Germain.

At the next crossroads, leave the GRP® which turns right into Rue de Bel-Air and continue straight ahead.

No signposts.

(11) Shortly after leaving the hamlet, turn right onto the path and follow a ditch. Climb up to the path and follow it to the left towards Belhomert. Cross Rue Charles Péguy (D140.14) and follow Rue René Coty opposite. Go straight ahead and cross the main street of Belhomert (D928).

(12) Follow Rue Hélène Boucher opposite. Cross Rue Marceau (D2) carefully and take the gently ascending path opposite. Enter the forest by going straight ahead, turn right into a straight lane and reach a remarkable tree: the Chêne Rituel.

(13) Climb up the same path opposite until you reach Rond Bergon (S/E).

Please note: check during hunting season: calendar available on the Senonches Town Hall website or at the Perche Forest Tourist Office. (No hunting on Sundays in the national forest).
This long route can be divided into two circular loops by following the GRP® Vallée de l'Eure between Saint-Germain (12) and (3). The eastern circular loop can be started from the Boizard lock (8), with parking available on the dyke.
Good waterproof footwear is recommended.

(S/E) Car park with picnic tables.
(2) Fontaine-Aubert pond: wash house, picnic area, fishing.
(8) Boizard locks: imposing remains of the dyke built by Louis XIV.
(8) Boizard locks: bar at Moulin de Boizard in season, fishing, fast food, possibility of walking along the Eure around the ponds in the gardens of the Château de la Rivière (entrance fee), see here
Near (8) Seasonal tours of Château de la Rivière.
(10) Château des Vaux: walks in the gardens are permitted. However, please call ahead to the switchboard on 02.37.53.70.70.
Training restaurant. During term time (Zone B), lunch is available at 12.15 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the same number between 8.30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
https://chateaudesvaux.apprentis-auteuil.org/nos-services/restaurant-dapplication

Cross the bridge to admire the façade. We recommend climbing the stairs to discover the magnificent dovecote decorated with bricks and flint, covered with an elegant slate dome.

(11) Church of Saint-Maurice-Saint Germain: at the crossroads after the church, see a wash house at the bottom of the meadow and enjoy the picnic area.
(13) Belhomert: Le Relais Fleuri bar

Senonches: castle, museum, Huttopia holiday village, motorhome reception area, fishing, equestrian centre.
La Loupe: castle, park, history cellars
Fontaine Simon: Perche water park, swimming pool.
Perche campsite.
Water ski lift
Digny: tree climbing course