Mareau-aux-Prés walks

This walk takes you to the left bank of the Loire, a prime spot for spotting beavers and the many species of birds that inhabit the river’s shifting islands. It can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Nature and culture go hand in hand on the banks of the Loire, between Fourneaux-Plage and Saint-Ay. The landscapes of the Loire, both at water level and higher up, are so beautiful, sometimes breathtaking, that it is easy to understand why the bishops of Orléans and famous men of letters came here on holiday.

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.

A walk in the heart of the forest where nature awaits.

It is mainly a forest route that recalls the major development work carried out in Sologne, which began in the second half of the 19th century when marl was extracted and then transported by horse-drawn carts to improve the acidic soil.

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.

A circular leading from the Basilica of Cléry-Saint-André, known for its architecture and history, to the enigmatic Butte des Élus, a burial mound dating back to the Iron Age. It is ideal for a family walk in the Val d'Ardoux.

From Cléry-Saint-André, this circular route leads to the wild banks of the Loire, just like the walk “From Cléry-Saint-André to the wild banks of the Loire (1)”, but the return route follows theGR®655East further west. It offers beautiful views of the Loire and allows you to appreciate the rich flora and fauna of its banks and islands.

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.

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.

A discreet beauty that is often overlooked, the Mauves de Meung-sur-Loire branch is nonetheless a curiosity. The hike runs alongside and crosses the riparian forest, a corridor of vegetation consisting mainly of alders, ash trees and poplars. Consisting of three circular loops, the hike offers several possible variations.

TheGR®®3offers beautiful views of the royal river and its islands. Running along the right bank of the Loire, it reveals some vestiges of the Loire's maritime past, the cellars where wine was stored and the wine press house, not to mention the magnificent church of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin overlooking the river.

There is no better way to discover the beauty and mysteries of the royal river between Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency, two towns remarkable for their castles, than to follow the Loire à Vélo route on its right bank and the flood defence embankment on its left bank. The first part of the route is very busy, but further on you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Loire Valley and a peaceful atmosphere.

An easy walk through fields and woods. This is an opportunity to discover some beautiful ancient oak trees as well as a sinkhole – a collapse caused by the dissolution of limestone by groundwater – which is a curiosity of northern Sologne.

Starting from Huisseau-sur-Mauves, a village built around a huge castle, this is an easy walk between the Beauce plateau and the Mauves. These streams flow all year round amidst superb vegetation. Best enjoyed in spring or early summer when the splashes of colour from the various crops break up the monotony of the plateau.

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

A route mainly through woodland, criss-crossing cultivated areas in this northern part of Sologne, which boasts some fertile land. The first part of the route skirts the vast Villiers estate from the Parc des Dolines de Limère, a stone’s throw from the town of Orléans-la-Source. An opportunity to get some fresh air in the shade of chestnut, oak and Scots pine trees.

The route winds through typical Sologne countryside with its wildlife, broom-covered heathland, woods, sheep pastures, areas of abandoned farmland and some cultivated fields.