Essé (Ille-et-Vilaine) walks

The route starts at the Roche aux Fées dolmen, the best-preserved iconic monument in Europe. The walk takes you through meadows and fields, perfect for relaxation. The crossing of Theil-de-Bretagne is fairly short, so you can take the opportunity to stop at the wash house park. The route continues through the hamlet of La Rigaudiére and the pond of the same name.

This is a short circular variation on the walk known as the ‘Boucle dans la campagne du Theil-de-Bretagne’ starting from La Roche aux Fées (no.88594830) The circular route starts at the Allée couverte de la Roche aux Fées, an iconic monument that is extremely well preserved. Le Theil de Bretagne is a predominantly rural commune, rich in architectural, religious and natural heritage. The Résidence Bon Abri, the Notre-Dame de Beauvais Chapel (listed as a Historic Monument), the Château de La Rigaudière, and the Church, with its patriotic stained-glass windows, are just a few examples. This countryside walk crosses the commune of Le Theil-de-Bretagne.

Le Theil-de-Bretagne is a predominantly rural commune with a rich architectural, religious and natural heritage. The Résidence Bon Abri, the Notre-Dame de Beauvais Chapel, listed as a historic monument, the Château de La Rigaudière and the church with its patriotic stained-glass windows are just a few examples. This hike takes us through the countryside around Le Theil-de-Bretagne, where we can discover a landscape of hedgerows and orchards as we stroll along, enjoying the peace and quiet and gentle way of life.

A very pleasant path, partly under the trees and along the left bank of the Quincampoix, leads you into the Parc du Château de Piré, the former grounds of an 18th-century château. You will be able to see the Château des Pères, now a gourmet restaurant. The park is a departmental nature reserve. You will finish by walking through the village of Piré-sur-Seiche

After walking along small asphalt country roads, it is a pleasure to find yourself on these green paths surrounded by magnificent trees, first along the Seiche and then the Quincampoix.

This unmarked route will allow you to explore the southern part of the village of Tresbœuf. It also follows paths through the villages of Lalleu and La Bosse-de-Bretagne. A few paths have escaped land consolidation, but despite this, half of the route is tarmac. Panoramic views will allow you to appreciate a whole array of wind turbines as well as the hedgerow landscape.

The Guerche Forest is ever-present on this route, whether you follow its southern edge or it closes off the horizon to the north. Beautiful architecture typical of the Pays Guerchais in Drouges and its many villages.

A tour around the village of Sel-de-Bretagne, allowing you to enjoy the rural paths preserved thanks to the efforts of Eugène Aulnette, a historic figure in the village. You will also pass by the Sainte-Anne Chapel, restored and decorated by this sculptor together with the villagers, and the menhirs found in the village.

A beautiful and very pleasant hike, mostly along a wide, shaded stone path. The trail goes around the pond. Best done in dry weather.

A very pleasant walk between forest and lake with no difficulty except, for some, the distance. After enjoying the tranquillity of the Araize Forest at the start, you will then experience the calm and serenity of the Étang de la Forge lake.

Discover Torcé and its surroundings with this 11.4 km circular, which can be shortened to an 8 km route without the northern circular at Haut Montigné.

The Vassé Pond was created as ecological compensation for the construction of the Paris-Rennes high-speed rail line. There are educational panels on biodiversity and an old manor house. Many animals have found a home here, including sheep, Scottish cows, donkeys and ducks. Picnic tables, dry toilets, a shelter and a barbecue area are available.

A short, easy walk to get some fresh air.

This route will take you through the rolling countryside of Châteaubourg. You will also pass close to the Vilaine river, which winds its way through the entire department. This hike can be done on foot or by mountain bike. FFRP-certified route.

This route will take you through the Châteaubourg countryside where, as its name suggests, there are several ponds: Pont de Pierre Pond, Roches Bises Pond and Grand Fayelle Pond. You will also walk along a small section of the Corbière Forest. This route is FFRandonnée certified. It can be done on foot or by bike.

A pretty, easy, well-marked walk passing by a chapel, the Château du Gué, the Ancienne Fonderie de Servon-sur-Vilaine, the Oratoire Saint-Mathurin, the Vilaine, the old mill, the protected Pas Davy site, the greenhouses (mainly tomatoes) and the calvary. The return journey takes you along a leafy driveway through a housing estate.

Rougé takes its name from the colour of the soil. Set off to explore the iron route, which partly follows the old railway line through the Brutz valley, crossing landscapes of moorland and hedgerows. You will see the site of the old iron mines, which were worked by the Celts and Gallo-Romans. You will notice the red colour of some of the paths, a sign of the presence of iron ore in the region. The same is true, in places, of the water in the streams.

A short walk along the banks of the Vilaine and Chevré rivers, also known as La Veuvre, taking you around Acigné. Please note that during periods of heavy rain, some parts of the route may be flooded.

After walking through the undergrowth of the Chevré Forest, you will discover this vast plateau via wide paths and small country lanes, where fields of grain blend with green meadows, ending as you began with a walk through the Bois de Briérue and the Orée du Bois lake near La Lisière.

Walk along a shaded path on the banks of the Vilaine river, passing by the Manoir de Tizé.

The city of Rennes has no shortage of green spaces, as evidenced by this route which passes through two parks and small gardens. This route offers a lovely, relaxing stroll right in the heart of the city, with very few tarmac paths.

A typical village of the Upper Breton bocage, come and discover the little hamlet of Champeaux with its huge collegiate church, then set off along the bocage paths to reach the 140-hectare Cantache lake, created in 1995 to support the low-water level of the Vilaine and to regulate floodwaters.

Explore the historic heart of Vitré, a town of art and history, with its streets and alleyways dating back to medieval times.Stroll and wander in search of hidden gems with this route taking in all the must-see sights.A real getaway into the heart of history and the Vitré way of life! Finish the walk with a visit to the medieval castle.Follow the step-by-step guide rather than the GPX track for ease of use.

Stroll through the historical heart of Vitré, city of art and history, with its medieval streets and alleys. Wander in quest of the heritage wonders with this trail. A true escape through history and the vitréen "art de vivre". End the walk by a visit of the medieval castle and its museum before going back to the starting point. Follow the description rather than the GPX tracks.

This route is the first stage of a 96 km circular through the Vitré countryside. Consisting mainly of sunken lanes, this route will take you, among other places, to the Château des Rochers-Sévigné and the Valière lake.

Whether you’re exploring this ‘City of Art and History’ or simply taking a stroll, here’s a short route that takes you through the historic quarter, past the castle, along narrow streets and through the Jardin du Parc.

A stone's throw from Vitré, a historic town in the Marches de Bretagne region, Lake Cantache stretches across three municipalities: Champeaux, Monteuil-sous-Pérouse and Pocé-les-Bois. A winter stopover for migratory birds, their presence is a source of wonder.

Take a stroll through the countryside of Montreuil-sous-Pérouse and its valleys. On this route, you’ll cross charming little wooden bridges spanning the Ruisseau de la Pérouse.