Illiers-Combray walks

Set amongst woods and rivers, this route takes walkers through the lush countryside so dear to Marcel Proust, the illustrious guest of Illiers-Combray.

As well as the village, which offers a view of the keep of the old castle, the route takes you along the River Loir and around former gravel pits that form a natural wetland area home to numerous waterbirds and a distinctive flora.

Frazé’s architectural heritage is exceptional. Frazé Castle and Carcahu Manor are prime examples of this. The castle comprises various structures (15th, 17th and 19th centuries), whilst Carcahu Manor (16th–17th centuries) is unlike any other…

This walk combines the Beauce plain and its crops, a stretch through the forest and the ponds along the banks of the Eure, allowing you to enjoy a variety of landscapes. It is not difficult, and the elevation gain is minimal.

The route alternates between open countryside and woodland. The private Bois Landry forest is managed sustainably. It also serves as a venue for forest school and nature discovery trips. Along the way stands the fortified farm of Grand Bois Landry (17th century), still surrounded by moats.

On the edge of the Perche region, the Chemin de César winds its way through the forest to the Abbayes du Loir.

Circular loop around the Bois des Tertres and the ponds of Fontenay-sur-Eure.

An easy walk with pleasant sections, even with children. The start is at the church car park, where there is a public park

A lovely circular walk starting from Bonneval, the ‘Little Venice of Beauce’.

In fact, here you will only find a few undulations caused by the streams flowing towards the nearby Eure. This small 637-hectare national forest is surrounded by a bridle path and criss-crossed by straight paths. The D103 crosses it from east to west and is not very busy. A high-voltage power line divides the forest. Parallel to the D103, it overlooks a large clearing and is bordered by a well-maintained path. A long north-south lane, formerly part of the GR®35 hiking trail, marks the boundary of the private woods to the west. Finally, the Merise forest road connects the D920 to the D103: closed to cars from Rond de la Félicité to Rond de Diane.This network of paths allows you to combine numerous circular paths or take shortcuts. Just make sure you don't leave the state-owned forest, which is bordered by an embankment. Private woods are located all around. These woods are rich in game, and large animals are shot there, so it is wise not to venture in on hunting days!

This site has retained a very picturesque appearance and offers the chance to see some beautiful houses with thatched roofs and to explore the Conie Valley.

This is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable hikes in this wood. At the start, there is a beautiful view of Moléans Castle, followed by a lovely walk through the forest. Then there is a very pleasant crossing of the fords and a walk along the banks of the Loir. The return through the forest allows you to finish in peace and quiet.

This discovery trail has been created to explain the management of natural habitats, and in particular the use of horses for grazing in these meadows at the bottom of the Eure valley. The site forms part of the Eure Valley Sensitive Natural Area.

Although many birds can be found here despite global warming, parakeets have not yet colonised the site! Discover these ponds, an integral part of the Perche landscape. Although medium-sized (20 hectares), they constitute a wetland of great importance. Starting from the hamlet of Perruchet between the ponds, the route offers beautiful views of the lakes from the small road overlooking the valley. A road, believed to be Roman, the Chemin de Jules César, approaches the Étang de Perruchet. Leave it to go around it to the south. The route then leads to the Touraille farm and returns via Haut Coudray and the heights of the Teillière Pond, where an information board provides a better understanding of these landscapes between Beauce and Perche.

At the edge of the Montécot Forest, this circular route takes you past pretty little farms connected by winding roads. The bridle path on the western edge of the forest offers beautiful views of the countryside towards La Loupe.

This route, starting from the wash house in Saint-Éliph, allows you to discover the two aspects of the countryside around the village. It passes through Auberdière and Grande Cour, then Petite Butte and follows Chemin de César to Touraille through a landscape of meadows and hedgerows typical of the Perche region. It returns to Saint-Eliph along roads and paths on the plain, the first signs of the Beauce region. With many quiet, small tarmac roads, it is recommended as a winter route when the nearby forest paths become difficult.

This circular loop takes you along the most beautiful paths in the commune, but returns via roads. Don't hesitate to take this route, as the beautiful site of the Saint-Éliph wash house with its picnic area, the pretty hamlet of Vaufermé, the sunken path leading up to La Haisonnière, and the views of the Perruchet and Théllière ponds, a protected bird sanctuary, make for a varied and enjoyable walk.

Saint-André Collegiate Church, the churches of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Aignan, the banks of the Eure, fountains and half-timbered houses are just some of the sights to admire as you wander through the narrow streets of Chartres... with the cathedral as the focal point! This walk within the city walls takes you through the narrow streets of Chartres’ lower town, following the banks of the Eure to discover the beautifully restored architectural heritage. In the upper town, the cathedral dominates, showcasing the richness of its style.

A walk taking you from the Beauce plateau, reputed to be the breadbasket of France, to the Conie valley, which winds its way through a marsh where it has carved out its bed, significantly influencing the vegetation. Suitable for all seasons.

No, it was not calves, devotees or a certain Mr Desvaux, who once owned the property, but three valleys that gave the estate its name. However, there are many horses. Purchased in 1805 by the Marquis d'Aligre, whose family lived in the nearby Château de la Rivière, it became a renowned hunting destination where horses reigned supreme and were housed in sumptuous stables. Even today, horses still graze in the surrounding meadows.In front of the château, the statue ofthe 1,000th stag served by the Marquis's hunting parties bears witness to the abundance of game in these 120 hectares of woodland. Since 1946, the Fondation des Apprentis d'Auteuil, which owns the estate, has established a renowned vocational school there, which welcomes nearly 1,250 students.This circular starting from Saint-Maurice-Saint-Germain allows you to discover the site and the Eure valley. You can extend the walk by following the GRP® to the Boizard locks and the Château de la Rivière.

A walk in the Eure valley, without any major difficulties but with a few slopes through fields, woods, stony and grassy paths, and then a little tarmac and a few houses too. This walk can also be done by mountain bike or hybrid bike.

Along the banks of the Couanon stream, the gardens enhance this walk, offering beautiful views of the cathedral.

Don't worry, no strenuous effort is required to complete this circular around La Loupe, linking the three parishes formerly known as "La Trinité des Bois": La Loupe, Vaupillon and Saint-Eliph. And if your heart races, it can only be from the emotion of remembering the terrible bombing that the town suffered on 17 June 1944. You will pass through woods and fields near the three churches of the former parish. If you want to see them more closely, you will need to make a small detour to reach them. Two of them are often closed and can only be visited on rare occasions. You could also visit the Gros Chêne de Meaucé (the big oak tree of Meaucé). It is a venerable old tree that has many stories to tell before reaching the end of its long life. After walking along the Étang du Gallou (Gallou Pond), you will arrive at the château, where a museum has been set up to commemorate the tragedy of 1944. Be sure to visit it.