Gallardon walks

Step back in time… Discover the Gallardon of the Middle Ages, when the Épaule was still the central keep of a major fortress. As you wander through the medieval streets, do pause for a moment in front of the half-timbered houses, reminders of the 16th century.

The last section, from Pont sous Gallardon to Chartres, is the highlight of the route. The Beauce plain appears flat, but its many undulations reveal and conceal the spires and nave of the cathedral in turn. The Chemin Charles Péguy was created by the Amitié Charles Péguy with the cooperation of all the municipalities crossed and the support of the Eure-et-Loir Departmental Council.

This is a pleasant and easy circular route, alternating between wooded areas, forest edges and fields. Most of the route offers unobstructed views, even overlooking the Eure and Voise valleys. It is a landscape with very little traffic, allowing you to enjoy watching herons and harriers take flight, small game such as deer and hares scampering across the fields and paths, and, in season, gliders soaring through the sky.

On the outskirts of the Paris region, let yourself be surprised by the bucolic and relaxing landscape of the Drouette Valley. After strolling through the grazing meadows, don't leave without visiting the Millstones and Cobblestones Museum, a testament to Épernon's economic appeal.

Starting from Maintenon station, a green loop allows you to admire the colossal Maintenon aqueduct and follow the Louis XIV canal for several kilometres before passing through the Eure valley and returning along the river. We recommend a picnic on the banks of the Eure or at Saint-Piat station if it rains.

Depart from Maintenon, passing by the château and then the plateau overlooking the Eure valley to Nogent-le-Roi, where you can admire the church and half-timbered houses. The return journey takes you through the valley along the path on the platform of the old railway line and then along the banks of the river on a charming shaded path.

This route is the third of the four sections of the Chemin Charles Péguy. It follows in the footsteps of the poet Charles Péguy, who made two pilgrimages to Chartres (in 1912 and 1913, each lasting four days there and back), celebrated in a poem that has gone down in history. The route alternates between the landscapes of the Beauce region and other, more hilly and charming landscapes that you might not expect.

Starting from Maintenon, steeped in history, this refreshing route takes you from the woods of the plateau to the heart of the Eure Valley. Following the course of the river, you’ll wind your way through the valley’s numerous ponds. Around the bend, you might just spot a flock of barnacle geese or a swan.

A long tour starting from Saint-Hilarion that will take you to Raizeux through fields and forests, then to Épernon, which you will cross before following the Drouette river along a small, intimate path, and finally back up to Saint-Hilarion.

Starting from Saint-Martin-de-Nigelles, this route passes through most of the hamlets in the commune around the Drouette valley, taking in Les Saulx, Les Godets, Ouencé, Gobienne, Eglancourt, Le Paradis and Puits Mignon.

A short walk along the Drouette river, passing most of the points of interest on the Discovery Trail This link allows you to discover the game and the information panels placed along the route.

Between Beauce and the Eure Valley, this circular walk invites you to stroll along the Drouette in the footsteps of millers, lords and cathedral builders. The walk follows the GR®655 West, one of the Grande Randonnée trails leading to Santiago de Compostela.

A varied walk: woods, fields, village (road), river, watermills, church, etc. This gentle circular walk features just one short climb. You can reach the start by car at the entrance to the village. You can also join the walk from Jouy station (700 m): see Practical Information.

This trail, starting from Oisème, a village nestled along the Roguenette, invites you to discover the painters and writers of the 18th century: the Goncourt brothers, Ingres, Courbet, and Corot, who created a fresco in Gasville Church and in Saint-Julien Chapel in Chartres.

A loop west of Rambouillet, alternating between forest and cultivated fields. Several passages along two charming rivers, the Guéville and the Drouette.

A beautiful walk through fields and woodland starting from Gazeran church, offering the chance to see hares, deer and even wallabies. Few elevation changes and well-marked trails; lots of wildlife. Please note that some sections may be very muddy after rain. Updated: December 2023 *

This circular route from Gazeran passes close to or through the villages of Orcemont, Orphin, Emancé and St-Hilarion. It mostly follows thePR® orGR® marked paths, through fields and woods, and runs alongside the Drouette and the Guéville on several occasions.

A circular route through the Rambouillet National Forest starting from Gazeran and around Poigny-la-Forêt. Return via the Étang de Coupe-Gorge and Rambouillet Park.

An easy walk around the ponds of Villiers-le-Morhier.

A very peaceful walk, no difficulty, with scenery of plains and woodland.

A lovely little walk, mostly through woodland, marked withPR®® signposts (apart from a point of interest at the end of the route).

Between the magnificent medieval farms of Néron and Bois-Richeux, which bear witness to the plateau’s ancient agricultural heritage (allow time for an unmissable visit), wander through the steep woods of Feucherolles and Néron to discover a wide variety of wild flora.

This walk combines nature – with the Rambouillet Forest, the Étangs d’Or and the Étang de la Tour – with architecture – featuring Rambouillet Castle and its islands on the lakes, its grand avenues – and wildlife, including barnacle geese, swans and mallards.

Miitainville is a rural commune with a population of around 600, divided into five hamlets: Mittainville, Vacheresse, Launay, Les Pâtis and Le Val. It is crossed by a river, the Maltorne, which rises at La Boissière-École and flows into the Eure at Chaudon. This walk will allow you to explore the various hamlets of this village, as well as the diversity of its landscapes, ranging from houses to woodland, pastures and farmland.

A lovely, very idyllic walk, ideal in spring or autumn, which will take you through the rapeseed and maize fields behind Mittainville, leading you on to Saint-Lucien and then to the outskirts of Raizeux before heading back via Hermeray through the forest. There are no particular difficulties, and the few ascents and descents are very gentle; nevertheless, we have rated the difficulty as ‘moderate’ given the route’s length and in line with Visorando’s recommendations. Note: as nearly two-thirds of this walk takes place in the middle of fields, it is best to avoid doing it during a heatwave or when it is raining.

Walk through the Bois du Thuilay, alternating between open land and woods.

A lovely walk, between fields of wheat and barley, and through the woods. In spring, the woods are full of white anemones, yellow lesser celandines and bluebells. The walk is not difficult. From the top of the fields, you can see all the surrounding countryside. It's very beautiful, especially when the rape fields are in flower.

A pleasant short walk to explore the surroundings of Rambouillet Castle, its park and gardens, as well as other sites to visit such as the Bergerie. A walk that can easily be combined with sightseeing for the whole family. Please note: Before setting off, check the opening hours of the Rambouillet Castle park, as they may vary depending on the season. Moderator's note, October 2021: Bergerie closed, see comments at the bottom of this page

A south-north crossing of the Rambouillet and Quatre Piliers forests, from station to station! The route, mainly through forest, is long and requires a good sense of direction for the first half. Several ponds and remarkable trees line the route.

An easy walk in the forest, on the Rochers d'Angennes overlooking the valley, followed by a visit to the beautiful ruins of the Moulineaux Abbey. Please note! Several hikers have reported that the route is difficult to follow at the site of the former abbey, between points (1) and (2) According to the latest information, the passage near the former abbey is now closed and dangerous. The route has therefore been modified and the original route removed.

The Rambouillet Forest is one of the largest forests in the Paris region. This section ofthe GR®®1 trailallows you to explore the western part of the forest. It is full of charm and features remarkable sites such as the Chêne de la Pocqueterie oak tree, the Rochers d'Angennes rocks and the Pierre Ardoue stone. The route starts in a town with great cultural potential, including the Château de Rambouillet, the Hermitage, the Laiterie de la Reine and the Chaumière aux Coquillages.

A pleasant little walk to explore the Rambouillet Castle Park and the Bergerie.A walk that allows you to visit either the Bergerie or the Museum located in the Palais du Roi de Rome.

This easy, bucolic walk allows you to discover a little of the Eure, a peaceful river.The starting point is a curiosity in itself: a town hall unlike any other.The finish invites you into the pretty little town of Nogent-le-Roi, with its old half-timbered houses.

Starting from Nogent-le-Roi, explore the surrounding countryside between woods and valleys before visiting the castle park. The Eure valley and its water mills can be explored at a leisurely pace. Half-timbered houses characterise the distinctive architecture of Nogent-le-Roi. Between the castle grounds and the Bois de Ruffin, walkers will pass from an urban landscape to a very varied rural landscape.

This idyllic walk will allow you to discover the often-overlooked landscape of the Vaubrun Valley. In spring, you’ll be accompanied by butterflies fluttering around you, birdsong and the tranquillity of nature.

A walk through the Rambouillet Forest to discover the Étang d’Or, which you’ll come across at a bend in a forest track, and walk all the way round it. This pond is aptly named, as it is so beautiful and peaceful: the perfect setting for daydreaming. You can spot coots, mallards and grey herons. This walk mainly follows theGR®1, marked with red and white signs.