Lancosme Forest, ponds and meadows

The trail runs under the cool shade of Brenne's largest forest, then crosses flower-filled meadows dotted with buttons and ponds. This is an introductory walk through a land of scents that also displays an extraordinary palette of colours!

Details

80799
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 129 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 113 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Migné (36800)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.723692° / E 1.366045°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2026SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is on a path alongside the D27, near a place called Le Perron, between Migné and Méobecq. The route follows aPR® marked "Circuit n°7: Étangs, forêts et buttons" (Ponds, forests and hills) and marked in yellow.

(S/E) Head north towards the place known as Le Perron.

(1) At Le Perron, take the path westwards, lined with old oak trees, then a pond on the left and meadows divided by hedges on the right. Please note that the path can be very wet at this point. Reach the edge of the Lancosme Forest.

(2) Continue straight ahead through the woods until you reach the RD14.

(3) Cross carefully to find the path opposite. After walking about 600 m along this stone-paved lane, you will come to a crossroads with several paths.

(4) Take the path furthest to the left. You will come back to the RD14, which you should follow to the right for about 100 metres.

(5) Turn onto the first path on the left. The expanse of meadows, divided into buttons (small sandstone mounds) and ponds, offers a typical Brenne landscape. The path runs along the dyke of a pond: this passage, below the dyke, is often very wet. Join the RD58.

(6) Cross over and continue on the path opposite, towards the hamlet of Trois Fourneaux. Keep left at the three-way junction and continue to the hamlet of Beauvais.

(7) Continue straight ahead. Before the Françaisière farm, the passage is tricky because it is very wet.

(8) The following section of tarmac road leads to the Étang du Coudray, a superb lake with aquatic vegetation typical of Brenne. On the right, the view of the Grand étang de Migné allows you to see the old mill on the lake's dyke.

(9) When you reach the RD27, turn left, taking care to watch out for heavy traffic.

(10) Take the first path on the right. You are now back among the natural hay meadows and buttons, then you wind your way between various bodies of water. Pass Beaugu and reach the RD58.

(11) Cross the road again and continue along the path opposite until you reach the hamlet of La Loge with its sandstone buildings, characteristic of the Brenne region.

(12) After crossing this hamlet, turn left twice to reach the path that crosses a shorter, drier moor and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 122 m - At the edge of the RD27, near Le Perron
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 121 m - Le Perron, on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 118 m - Edge of the Lancosme forest
  4. 3 : km 2.52 - alt. 118 m - RD14
  5. 4 : km 3.13 - alt. 119 m - Crossroads, on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.49 - alt. 120 m - Crossroads, on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.48 - alt. 119 m - RD58
  8. 7 : km 6.41 - alt. 122 m - Beauvais
  9. 8 : km 7.5 - alt. 113 m - Chaussée de l'Étang du Coudray
  10. 9 : km 8.28 - alt. 116 m - RD27
  11. 10 : km 8.87 - alt. 115 m - Path on the right
  12. 11 : km 10.66 - alt. 125 m - RD58
  13. 12 : km 11.47 - alt. 128 m - La Loge
  14. S/E : km 13.29 - alt. 122 m - At the edge of the RD27, near Le Perron

Notes

The paths can be very wet at times, so wear waterproof footwear!
Take care on the section of road (500 m on the RD27) between points (9) and (10).
Bring water as there are no drinking water sources.

Worth a visit

This circuit is located in the "Grande Brenne" Natura 2000 site.
You may hear (and perhaps see!) the bellowing of stags in the Lancosme forest in early autumn. Hunting takes place in this area in autumn and winter.
Nearby, the Chapelle Saint-Sulpice (access via the RD21), a small 16th-century building constructed in Brenne sandstone, stands in a clearing in the heart of the Lancosme forest. A pilgrimage takes place there every year on the last Sunday in August.
You can also visit the Maison du Parc naturel régional de la Brenne (Brenne Regional Nature Park Visitor Centre), Le Bouchet, 36300 Rosnay (Tel. 0254275861; e-mail: tourisme@parc-naturel-brenne.fr; website: www.parc-naturel-brenne.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

4.8 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
brunet Laurent
brunet Laurent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, starting in the lovely Lancosme forest, where you can admire large animals. The route continues to the magnificent Bouiges pond (21 hectares). Please note that the Coudray ponds and the large pond are dry for cleaning (point 8), but there are many other ponds along the route. A must-do!

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effelair
effelair

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, even at this time of year. The signage is adequate. However, some areas can be very wet. I really enjoyed the variety of landscapes, the tranquillity of the path, the silence, and the few birds by the ponds... Waterproof footwear is essential.

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cckrisko
cckrisko

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, much of which is shaded. The signage is adequate. However, some areas may be wet depending on the season. The estimated duration is accurate: 4 hours with a 20-minute lunch break.

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giovanni36
giovanni36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

A very pleasant, sunny route with some shaded areas... beautiful Brenne ponds that are interesting for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
A bit long, though, as it took me longer than expected, especially when you stop regularly to admire the scenery.

A beautiful hike in any case, whether alone or in a group.

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lynx18
lynx18

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

route completed on 25/05/2020
the most humid sections were only between markers 10 and 12 in the description
not very cool along the route, but with a little searching you can find areas of deciduous trees along the edge of the path in the Lancosme forest: I was able to set up my hammock in the shade and have a good nap (I had set off from the church in Migné)
As always, the sections on roads in full sun made me long for winter and snow...

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RANDO NATURE DECOUVERTE
RANDO NATURE DECOUVERTE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Many ponds are dry due to drought and drainage for fishing! They are not always visible due to vegetation and restricted access as they are enclosed private properties... a shame!
The forest area, mainly planted with conifers, is relatively shady but not particularly cool, and we found it uninteresting from points 2 to 3, so we decided to go straight to point 5 by road.
We were still able to observe, through binoculars, a few birds (grey and purple herons, great and little egrets, etc.), a hare, a few rabbits, and numerous tracks left by wild boars and other ungulates, which were unfortunately invisible during the day
In hot weather, as was the case, it is best to go in the morning.

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MarieLL
MarieLL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this beautiful hike following the suggested route and really enjoyed it: varied landscapes, peaceful paths, silence, birds by the ponds...
It was a real treat!
The only downside, which has nothing to do with the description, is that we came out of the forest with about ten ticks each on our calves and thighs... In many places, there were traces of wild boars and deer that had come to roll in the mud on the path (there had been thunderstorms the day before), hence the ticks!
It is therefore advisable to wear long trousers with closed ankles and closed shoes, and to check any exposed parts of the body...

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giovanni36
giovanni36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

For peace and tranquillity, nature and picturesque scenery, dragonflies... a superb, soothing walk among buds and ponds!

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jchbdn44
jchbdn44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very interesting, although we did have to walk alongside a hunt, but the hunters were friendly. We were delighted by the numerous ponds, varied views and a beautiful flight of night herons on arrival.
Best regards
J Ch B

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ascamapa
ascamapa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy and pleasant circuit

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Dadidada
Dadidada

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Easy route, walk taken in mid-August 2018: hats required; no need for boots: only the largest ponds remain filled with water!
Worth doing.

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Magali G1.
Magali G1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike under beautiful sunshine! There were two muddy sections, but the route was well marked.
I will definitely do it again and recommend it, of course!

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lolo36
lolo36

Thank you for your comment.
On the second part of the route, it's true that when the sun is shining, it can get pretty hot!
All the best!

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blondin69
blondin69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very simple, pretty, very flat, no difficulty; 1 km of road in total, I think, out of the 13 km, so great
bring a hat though because it gets hot!
a nice thing to do!

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lolo36
lolo36

Thank you for your comment and keep up the good work on Visorando!

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