Between Rueil-la-Gadelière and Saint-Martin in the footsteps of a "Fauve"

These circular loops will not take you into the bush in search of large predators, but along good paths through woods and fields on the outskirts of the Perche, in this transitional region known as the Thimerais. You will pass through the landscapes that inspired the painter Maurice de Vlaminck, who founded Fauvism in the early 20th century with his friends Derain and Matisse.
Having settled in La Tourillère, near Rueil-la-Gadelière, 100 years ago, the artist fell in love with this region, which he tirelessly explored until his death in 1958 in search of places of inspiration.
These circular loops starting from neighbouring villages aim to give you a feel for the landscapes "where the wind bends the trees and chases the clouds across a dark sky" that captivated the painter, reminding him of his paternal family's homeland of Flanders.
This hike takes you from Rueil to Saint-Martin aux Portes de Verneuil, where the "Fauve" often visited.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.11 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

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

  • ▲
    Highest point: 177 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 154 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the church in Rueil-la-Gadelière. Access via the D839 then Route de Launay. Parking near the church.

Yellow markings

(S/E) With your back to the church, follow Route de Launay opposite towards the cemetery. Enter the cemetery where the graves of Vlaminck and his family members are located. Turn left as you enter and follow the path along the wall. When you exit, turn right and follow the road to the D839. Cross carefully.

(1) Take the path opposite, which passes in front of the water collection buildings of the City of Paris, which manages the site and the Avre aqueduct. Turn left then right. Cross the Lamblore stream and, after the bridge, follow the path on the right between the fences. Be careful, another PR® trail, also marked in yellow, goes straight ahead. Continue between the fences, going around the Nouvet farm. You will arrive at the D25.

(2) Cross the D25 carefully and follow the path opposite to the crossroads at the corner of the woods.

(3) Turn right onto the path at the edge of the woods (where it meets the former GR® 35, now the GRP® Vallées de la Blaise et de l'Avre).

White and red markings + yellow markings

Cross the Ruisseau de Buternay stream hidden in the undergrowth. It marks the boundary between the departments of Eure-et-Loir and Eure. Follow the wall and pass in front of the entrance gate to the Château de la Puisaye. Continue to the crossroads in the hamlet of La Puisaye. Leave the PR® which turns left.

Temporary white and red markings should become yellow and red

(4) At the hamlet, cross the crossroads and follow the C199 opposite. The road becomes a path, cutting across the old railway line near a gatekeeper's cottage. You will come to a fork in the path.

(5) Continue straight ahead at the fork in the path. Join the D56, follow it to the left, then cross the D839 very carefully. Follow the road straight ahead and then to the left, which goes around the Saint-Martin rest area. You will come to a signpost indicating the fork in the hiking trails.

White and red markings for the GR®22

(6) Turn right, then climb left towards Chemin de la Follèterie and turn left onto Chemin des Près de Saint-Martin. You will reach a crossroads.

(7) Cross the crossroads carefully and continue straight ahead along the sunken lane, which soon overlooks a road before joining it. Cross the old Verneuil - La Loupe railway line, passing in front of the gatekeeper's cottage. You will reach a cross.

(8) Follow the path on the left. After walking along the edge of a wood, you will come to a fork; leave the GR®22.

No markings

(9) Continue right on the main road. You will arrive at the pond at the entrance to the hamlet of Baudry.

(10) From the pond at the entrance to Baudry, follow the main street to the right until you reach the edge of the hamlet.

(11) Leave the road and follow the path on the right. Continue straight ahead on this path until you reach the church of Rueil-la-Gadelière ( S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 165 m - Église Saint-Denis (Rueil-la-Gadelière)
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 163 m - Route D939
  3. 2 : km 2.51 - alt. 174 m - Route D25
  4. 3 : km 3.16 - alt. 171 m - Crossroads at the corner of the woods - Buternay (rivière) - Affluent de l'Arve
  5. 4 : km 4.08 - alt. 176 m - Hamlet of La Puisaye
  6. 5 : km 4.93 - alt. 170 m - Separation of paths
  7. 6 : km 5.75 - alt. 165 m - Saint Martin recreation area
  8. 7 : km 6.28 - alt. 162 m - Crossroads - Avre (rivière)
  9. 8 : km 7.1 - alt. 168 m - Cross
  10. 9 : km 7.64 - alt. 168 m - Fork after the small wood
  11. 10 : km 8.2 - alt. 167 m - Mare du Baudry
  12. 11 : km 8.74 - alt. 172 m - Fork in the path
  13. S/E : km 10.11 - alt. 165 m - Église Saint-Denis (Rueil-la-Gadelière)

Notes

Practical information

From Saint-Martin, you can reach the centre of Verneuil by following the red and white markings of the GR® 22 (about 1 km). Be sure to cross the RN 12 at the traffic lights. Danger!

Suggestion: The route can be undertaken in the late morning, with lunch in Verneuil and a visit to the town. Return to Rueil in the late afternoon.

Worth a visit

Rueil-la-Gadelière:

The Romanesque Saint-Martin Church (11th-13th century) was modified in the 16th century. Curiously, this route connects two places dedicated to Saint Martin. The cult of Saint Martin seems to have been very important in the Avre Valley, with several churches dedicated to him.

On the way:

(1) Spring catchments to carry water to Paris via an aqueduct over 100 km long.

(4) Château de la Puisaye 18th century - Bed and breakfast.

Off the route:

Rueil, 1 km from the church, bust of Vlaminck in front of the Town Hall by Paul Belmondo - picnic area.

3 km from the church, "La Tourillière" Vlaminck's house. Visits possible on certain dates.
https://www.maisonvlaminck.fr/. Vlaminck depicted this house and neighbouring dwellings in several of his paintings.
3.5 km from the church: Château de la Gadelière - Visits in season.
https://www.chateaudelagadeliere.com/

Verneuil-sur-Avre 3 km away - Petite Cité de Caractère (Small Town of Character) - Town of Art and History
Tourist Office. https://www.normandie-sud-tourisme.fr/
Old houses - Grey Tower - Madeleine Church - Parks - Tour of the town following the moats. Saint-Nicolas Abbey - Saint-Laurent Church, now a temporary exhibition space.

Many places depicted by Vlaminck in his paintings. The painter often visited Verneuil, where he had his habits. A route has been established by the Tourist Office.

La Ferté-Vidame, 15 kmaway - Park and castle ruins - Espace Saint-Simon
http://www.perche-tourisme.fr/

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

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Marco Pagotto
Marco Pagotto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike, lovely view of the tower of the Madeleine church in Verneuil sur Avre.

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