Issoudun walks

In the past, the ploughmen would ‘briole’: they would sing to accompany the heavy tread of the oxen in the fields. Ultimately, it is a slow-paced song, intended to sustain the oxen’s efforts whilst ploughing. By the end of April, everything must be finished.

This easy walk allows you to explore the Champagne Berrichonne region, north of Issoudun, starting from the village of Les Bordes.

This walk through the Champagne plains offers a chance to explore the area around the village of Paudy. The paths through the fields and past the wind turbines take you close to the Volvault estate, where the world’s first flying school was established by the American Allies in 1917. You will then reach the hamlet of Vœu. The return journey to Paudy takes you past the village pond. Finally, you can admire the tower overlooking Paudy – one of the remains of the 12th-century castle – and Saint-Martin’s Church.

A walk around the lake at Mareuil-sur-Arnon and through the woods in search of the old mill. The route is signposted with red arrows. It is suitable for both walkers and cyclists.

This is a walk off the marked trails that allows you to explore the surroundings of the small village of Vouillon, notably its impressive wind farm, the Liennet stream at Boisramier and part of the beautiful Bommiers state-owned forest.

This is a beautiful walk that allows you to discover Reuilly and its surroundings, through vineyards, fields and meadows.

This walk allows you to explore the area around the village of Diors, starting from Fourches in the Indre. You will be able to see the White Cross War Memorial, the ruins of the (private) castle and the restored chapel.

A nature and leisure park, the Pôle du Cheval et de l'Âne is a beautiful playground dedicated to donkeys and horses. Here you’ll find an exhibition space devoted to donkeys and their history, giant games, a maze, ExplorGames, horse-drawn carriage rides, donkey grooming workshops and summer activities. A short stop in the village of La Celle-Condé will give you the chance to enjoy a picnic or a break by the River Arnon in a bucolic setting.

A nature and leisure park, the Pôle du Cheval et de l'Âne is a wonderful playground dedicated to donkeys and horses. Here you’ll find an exhibition space devoted to donkeys and their history, giant games, a maze, ExplorGames, carriage rides, donkey grooming workshops and summer activities.A short stop in the village of La Celle-Condé will give you the chance to enjoy a picnic or a break by the River Arnon in a bucolic setting.

This route allows you to grasp the history of this market town that gave its name to the Quincy vineyards. The market town of Quincy is nestled around its marshes at the foot of its church and castle. This historic market town originated from Quinciacus, the Villa of Quincius, mentioned in documents from the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris as early as the 7th century. Agricultural development took place in concentric circles: gardens in the marshes, vineyards on the sandy gravel terraces, then fields extending towards the forest, which continues to encircle the cultivated area. The agricultural landscape thus reveals two millennia of history.

A pleasant walk through unpretentious countryside; do visit the Cocu Dolmen and the twisted bell tower at Saint-Outrille.

The birthplace of the Grand Noir du Berry donkey breed, Lignières thrives thanks to its sporting and cultural events. Les Bains-Douches is a renowned contemporary music venue with a programme running from September to June. The Donkey Fair, held on Whit Monday, is a must for lovers of long ears. A route of the town of Lignières will allow you to discover more about this crossroads of trade.

Home to the Grand Noir du Berry donkey breed and a hub for the contemporary music scene at Les Bains-Douches, Lignières-en-Berry offers a lovely walk around its classic 17th-century château (private residence), its 16th-century market hall, and its beautiful bourgeois mansions and private estates. You’ll wander the paths of Lignières, circling the Pôle du Cheval et de l’Âne, before following the banks of the Arnon river.

Mehun-sur-Yèvre boasts a rich historical heritage centred around the Château de Charles VII. This tour of the historic centre is a circular route starting and ending at the railway station, which is served by a line running from Lyon to Bourges, Mehun, Vierzon and Nantes. The proposed walk is designed to introduce visitors to the history and heritage of the area, from the Bituriges-Cubes to the people of Berry today, featuring numerous historic sites such as the Gardens of Duke Jean de Berry, the Château de Charles VII, the Hôtel de la Pucelle d’Orléans… and an insight into two centuries of trade along the main street, Rue Jeanne d’Arc.

From Mehun-sur-Yèvre railway station, the suggested route is a circular route that takes you round the outer edge of the town. As the route passes close to the main sights, you can always veer off the route to visit a particular site. The historic sites are covered by a separate walking tour within the town of Mehun.

This is a pleasant route for hiking, running or mountain biking around the Étang de Berthommiers and Étang des Deux Frères lakes in the Châteauroux Forest.