The Chavannes Marshes


A few beautiful old houses, an aerodrome right on the doorstep, an inn in the heart of the village, a lovely pond perfect for fishing and picnics, and a sensitive natural area... Here is an itinerary that invites you to get to know the village of Chavannes better.

Details

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Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 23 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 23 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 561 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 515 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Chavannes (18190)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.852558° / E 2.375993°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2325SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

You can park between the town hall and Sainte-Anne Church.

Follow route no. 12, which is signposted where other routes intersect – the other numbers correspond to routes in neighbouring villages.

(S/E) Head downhill towards the Marais de Chavannes Sensitive Natural Area.

(1) When you reach the pond, continue to your left to walk alongside the Marais de Chavannes.

(2) At the end of the marsh, turn left onto the path along the Ruisseau de Chevrier and continue to Les Fontaines Neuves.

(3) Take the first straight path on the right and you will come out onto the road to Châteauneuf-sur-Cher (D14).

(4) Take this road to the left with care for about a hundred metres, turn right onto the first road and pass two small woods

(5) Immediately after, turn onto the path on the right and, at the crossroads, continue straight on along a path until you reach the next road.

(6) Turn right onto the D130 and proceed with caution until you reach the ‘give way’ sign on the D14.
First turn right then left to cross the main road with care.

(7) Take the small road immediately on the left. Pass through the hamlet of Le Plaix. Leave the road before the right-hand bend and head left for a few metres.

(8) Take the next path on the right for about 1 km; at the fork you come to, just before a wood, turn right to join the D37.

(9) Turn right onto this road, then turn left at the first road.

(10) At the end of the road, head straight to the right to cross back through the Le Marais de Chavannes Sensitive Natural Area and return to the church and town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 538 ft - St Anne’s Church and Town Hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 518 ft - Pond
  3. 2 : mi 0.4 - alt. 515 ft - Sensitive Natural Area
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 528 ft - Les Fontaines Neuves
  5. 4 : mi 1.4 - alt. 541 ft - D14
  6. 5 : mi 2.34 - alt. 558 ft - T-junction after the two copses
  7. 6 : mi 3.42 - alt. 561 ft - D130
  8. 7 : mi 4.12 - alt. 541 ft - D14
  9. 8 : mi 4.39 - alt. 551 ft - Le Plaix
  10. 9 : mi 5.66 - alt. 538 ft - D37
  11. 10 : mi 6.17 - alt. 545 ft - Junction
  12. S/E : mi 6.78 - alt. 538 ft - St Anne’s Church and Town Hall

Notes

__The Chavannes Marshes are a Special Area of Conservation featuring lush vegetation.
A signposted trail is available from April to September.
We recommend wearing closed-toe shoes for this walk.__

Lignières Berry Tourisme Tourist Office
32 Grande Rue 18160 LIGNIERES
02 48 60 20 41

lignieres@destination-sud-berry.com

www.destination-sud-berry.com

Worth a visit

A very old house, a priory-manor dating from the late 16th century, with an entrance porch beneath a rectangular dovecote, can be admired behind the town hall.

The Church of Sainte-Anne dates from the 11th century. Having been destroyed during the Wars of Religion in the second half of the 16th century, it was completely rebuilt, with only the western porch of the old building being preserved. Open for Heritage Days

The Étang du Marais de Chavannes is a pleasant spot for a picnic or a spot of fishing (toilets and children’s play area)

The Sensitive Natural Area: Download the Balade ENS18 app to access all the information about this very rare natural site.

L'Auberge de Chavannes is open for lunch from Monday to Friday.
The Café de Paris et des Sports: a bar and restaurant located in Châteauneuf-sur-Cher
Daily special from Tuesday to Friday and takeaway available on Friday lunchtimes
Boulangerie Ligot – opposite the post office square in Châteauneuf-sur-Cher for a quick bite

Châteauneuf-sur-Cher Aerodrome is located right next to this course.
The association offers introductory flights and flying lessons on request.
02 36 24 56 30 / 06 11 14 16 96 - www.aeroclubchateauneuf.fr

Accommodation:
Le Castelnaute
Châteauneuf-sur-Cher campsite
Click here for more accommodation options

Additional activities:
Paddleboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking in Châteauneuf-sur-Cher

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
2.3 / 5
ABC RANDO
ABC RANDO

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback.
Your comments have been forwarded to the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels de la Région Centre Val de Loire (Centre Val de Loire Region Nature Conservancy).
Please contact us soon on 02 48 60 20 41 to receive feedback from the Conservatory and to discover other hikes available around the Marais de Chavannes.

Have a great day!

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User 12807753

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the marsh is very poorly maintained and difficult to walk through.
Impossible for children, too many untrimmed reeds.

Machine-translated

ABC RANDO
ABC RANDO

Hello,

Thank you for your review. The Chavannes route focuses mainly on exploring the Chavannes Marshes, a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS). You can download the ENS18 app to gain a better understanding of this unique area near Chavannes Pond.
You can discover other walks ranging from 4 to 20 km around Lignières.
Please feel free to contact us at the Tourist Office on 02 48 60 20 41 if you are looking for specific walks.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

The Tourist Office team

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amour
amour

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

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AK18
AK18

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Thanks for sharing, but this walk isn't worth the effort.

Miles and miles of straight paths through the fields...

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