Between Ardoux and Ime, near Lailly-en-Val

The walk starts at the car park of the Stade Maurice Dubreuil, south of Beaugency. To get there, turn right south of the Beaugency bridge, then take the lane on the left. The sports facilities are just past the embankment on the left, at a place called Le Pré d’Allonne.

(S/E) Take the road on the left, heading south-east, then, after 200 metres, turn slightly right onto the^GRP®, a grassy path known as the ‘Sentier Historique de la Vallée des Rois’. Ignore the path on the right, then the one on the left.

(1) Cross the Fossé Juré de l’Ormoie, then take the path opposite, which is slightly to the right. Walk alongside the copse. The path passes under a power line, then curves to the right and arrives at a crossroads.

(2) Turn left, cross the Ardoux via the Pont de la Planche, then leave the^GRP® at the first junction after crossing the Ardoux by turning right onto a path that curves in an S-shape.

(3) At the T-junction, turn right and continue until you reach Rue de Maulne.

(4) Turn right onto this street, ignoring the dirt track known as Rue Basse, which runs as a continuation of Rue de Maulne. This street takes a wide right-hand bend, then meanders past the lovely ‘Fosse du Gué’ before heading north-west.

(5) At the crossroads, turn sharply left to run alongside the houses of Grand Fins on your right. Continue along this lane in a south-westerly direction, ignoring any side roads, until you reach the junction with the D925 (take care). Cross the road to take the path opposite towards Grand Champ, Sublette and Le Goulet. Cross the Ime.

(6) At the first junction, turn left onto Chemin de Sublette, pass through the hamlet and continue to a T-junction.

(7) Turn right to follow the winding Chemin des Brosses until you reach another T-junction at Grand Champ.

(8) Turn left onto Chemin de Grand Champ to cross the embankment designed to contain the Loire’s floodwaters, which you’ll follow on the right. Continue along the embankment until you reach the D925 (take care), which you’ll cross.

(9) Carry on along the embankment until you find the road leading to the Stade Maurice Dubreuil on the right, which is our starting point (S/E).

The walk, which is mainly on open ground, presents no difficulty.

Avoid this route in wet weather and during the hunting season.

Watch out for signs indicating private property. There are many of them and their locations are often confusing. Stick to the marked route and do not take any shortcuts.

Nearby, the town of Beaugency boasts numerous monuments listed as Historic Monuments. This is particularly true of a large part of the town centre, with its castle, César Tower and abbey church...