Mardié walks

Between the Canal d'Orléans and the meanders of the Loire, not forgetting a short detour along the Cens, the route opens up onto the town of Chécy, perched on the banks of the Loire.

This circular will take you along the left bank of the Loire to Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. You will cross the castle grounds and its arboretum. The return to Jargeau is via the right bank. This circular route is known as thePR® des deux ponts (Two BridgesPR® ), modified to include access to the Loire Marine Museum and a stroll through the arboretum and the pretty Rhododendron Avenue.

A family walk between the Loire and the Canal de la Loire. Alternating between woodland, fields and canal banks. The canal banks and locks welcome us with open arms. We can see barges moored on the banks of the Loire, the bird island with the different species of our region and, if we are there at the right time of year, we will be lucky enough to see them nesting. Sandy beaches welcome us for a short break. And finally, we can enjoy the tranquillity of the canal banks.

A pleasant and easy hike offering varied landscapes. We walk along the Loire for over a kilometre before turning away from it to enter the forest, admire the beautiful Château de Chenailles, then return to Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel via the ponds.

A stroll between the Loire and former gravel pits where nature has quietly reclaimed its rights. The water bodies have gradually been colonised by a diverse range of wildlife, making the Bois de l'Île a rich nature reserve. The ruins of the Château de l'Isle, witness to the wrath of the Loire, are sure to amaze you.

Starting from Charbonnières Park in the Orléans Forest, also known for its château, the route leads along the banks of the Bionne, a pretty stream with silvery reflections, and to the gates of the Château de Plissay, built in the pure Restoration style.

The hike first follows the towpath of the Canal d'Orléans and then returns to Fay-aux-Loges via the Orléans National Forest. You will enjoy the still waters of the canal and its many reflections, its locks, its wildlife, then the wide forest paths, and finally the stone bell tower of the church as you approach the village. Please note that on 19 February 2023, I was informed that part of the route along the canal is closed for works for an indefinite period (no end date displayed).

A walk under the canopy of majestic trees, following the greenway through the grounds of the remarkable Château de Charbonnière and the national forest.

Starting from Traînou, with its distinctive bell tower, this idyllic walk through countryside and woodland is home to a particularly rich variety of flora and fauna.

This walk begins at Morchêne Park in Saint-Cyr-en-Val, with its château, tennis courts, pétanque and beach volleyball courts, and fitness trail, then follows the stream of the same name. A tree-lined route, very pleasant for a family walk south of the Orléans conurbation.

The Limère sinkhole park is home to a regional curiosity: sinkholes, underground cavities recognisable by a slight depression colonised by unique vegetation. This short getaway, just a stone's throw from the town of Orléans-la-Source, is not only for geology enthusiasts but for all lovers of natural parks that inspire calm and rest.

A lovely shaded walk where you can discover the mills lining the Loiret river and Lake Saint Pryvé. Several restaurants welcome you on the riverbank.

Between the plains and the forests, the route winds its way through game-rich countryside that is reminiscent of Maurice Genevoix’s novel *Raboliot*, named after a Sologne woodcutter with a passion for poaching. This is what the hamlet of La Rabolière recalls.

Well known to the people of Loiret, the charming, shaded walkway of the mills of the Loiret never fails to surprise those who discover it, a place shaped by milling activities that continued for centuries. It is an opportunity to enjoy the calm, cool waters of the river, explore the network of Olivet's narrow streets and appreciate the Donjon and Poutyl parks.

Located in the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve, at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret rivers, the Pointe de Courpain is known for its cool climate and exceptionally diverse wildlife. You will never tire of admiring the mills on the Loiret river as they change with the seasons.

In the heart of the Forest of Orléans, with its fern-filled undergrowth ideal for spotting wildlife, this short, shaded walk passes numerous ponds.

The Loiret river conceals a few secrets hidden in the greenery. To see for yourself, simply follow the trail that runs along its left bank at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, upstream from where it meets the Loire.

Circular route, or almost a circular route, to be covered mostly along grassy paths. If you remain alert and quiet, you are almost certain to spot wildlife, which is very common in this area. Indeed, red deer, roe deer and wild boar have made this their territory.

Route in the forest around Ardon with two sections on district roads. Route poorly marked in yellow.

A must-see route in the Forest of Orléans due to the diversity of its landscapes, ranging from ponds to dense or sparse forests, which are prime habitats for wildlife. The vast Vallée pond, which was originally created to feed the Orléans Canal, has become a leisure destination with its water sports centre, banks ideal for fishing, and paths perfect for a stroll.

From the Combreux lock, discover the Canal d'Orléans and its ponds in a forest where a rich and varied fauna will accompany you and allow you to observe them as you walk along the path. Be early, discreet and attentive to enjoy it. Don't rely on the photos showing the towpath. It has been replaced by a cycle path. The walk loses some of its charm but is still very pleasant.

A varied route, starting with a winding path along the Cosson, then a forest lane, ending in a maze of narrow streets and then a wooded area with contemporary statues near the Cosson.

This circular route is very representative of the Sologne region, with its forests covered in moss, heather and ferns, its paths that are sometimes wide and straight, sometimes winding, grassy or muddy, its ponds and its brick houses, all of which contribute to its charm.

This hike aims to revive memories of a vast, partly forgotten forest that once stretched across the present-day communes of Saint-Cyr-en-Val, Marcilly-en-Villette and Ménestreau-en-Villette. It ends in a riot of colour during the rhododendron flowering season (May to June), when the undergrowth around the Château de Villette is covered with these flowers.

Starting from Ménestreau, a typical village with red brick houses, this route aims to bring back memories of a huge forest with a variety of tree species, in the heart of the Sologne region of ponds.

A very pleasant getaway in the Sologne region, with a peaceful route through woods dotted with ponds. Avoid days when hunting is in season!

This route is called "West of Chilleurs-aux-Bois - Route No. 5". This circuit takes you on a tour of the western part of the commune and its main hamlets, starting from the centre of the village and the Lavau district: La Noue Glaçon, Le Coudray, Le Charme, L'Etang, Marcilly, Olivet, Ronville, Le Moulin de Pierre, La Fosse Aux Morts and Les Sapins. Return to the centre of the village via La Grande Gervaise. You will pass close to the sites of two of the five grain mills that once stood in Chilleur-aux-Bois. In Ronville, you will pass the boundary of the commune of Neuville-aux-Bois. You will walk along the "fosse aux morts" (dead man's ditch), which reminds us that the 1870 war was very deadly in our region. You will then reach the village and Saint-Pierre Church, a historic monument built between the13th and14th centuries. The route is not particularly difficult and is mainly on roads.

The walk follows the famous Chemin des Sables, with its heather, broom, mosses and lichens, and sections through mixed woodland. Beautiful farmhouses and homes dot the route.

On this family outing in Sologne, you may spot a grey heron, a great egret or simply a few ducks.