Montigny-le-Chartif 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.

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…

At the start, visit Thiron-Gardais Abbey, its themed gardens and the Grange aux Dîmes, then the route continues through the Perche countryside to Saint-Denis-d’Authou.

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

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.

The Étang des Panses lake can be seen along a path where it is not uncommon to encounter forest animals. After the forest, you will discover Percheron fruit trees at the Miermaigne conservation orchard; in mid-November, you can take part in the Apple Festival.

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.

Beautiful views of the hills of Perche and the Vinette Valley. This route follows paths and small roads with little traffic.

From the Church of Notre-Dame (listed building), you can admire the traditional architecture of Vichères, built from red sandstone and white stone. This rural route, with its ups and downs, links Rougemont Hill (the highest point in Eure-et-Loir at 285 m) to the picturesque Berthe Valley via sunken paths.

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

As you walk along the paths once used by the Maquis fighters, discover a key site of the Resistance in Eure-et-Loir: the Plainville Maquis.

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.

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!

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

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.

A beautiful walk in the former fiefdom of the turbulent Gouet barons. Like Brou, La Bazoche continues a long tradition of fairs and markets. For over 100 years, the Percheron foal fair has been held on thefirst Saturday in November.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.