Quincy walks

This walk combines a tour of the old town and its main points of interest (including the cathedral, the Palais Jacques Cœur, and streets and alleys lined with beautiful half-timbered houses) with the classic route through the Bourges marshes at the foot of the medieval town (with its many waterways and small market gardens developed since the 17th century). The route through the old town is a minimum loop for those in a hurry, but there's nothing to stop you zigzagging around it to discover little gems around every corner.

This route will allow you to discover the marsh, which has been shaped since 1640, when the city of Bourges sold part of its communal land to create gardens for cultivation. The maraitiers surrounded these marshes with outer ditches, dug inner ditches and built service roads. You will discover this work and these gardeners on a superb family walk.

This walk, suggested by the Chabris-Pays de Bazelle Community of Communes, allows you to discover the surroundings of Anjouin, passing near the Pierre Levée de Bellevue, then on the Perry, near the Château de la Roche, and ending at the Boulaye and the Maisons Rouges. The landscapes are typical of the northern Boischaut region of the Indre.

A pleasant walk through fields and woods, allowing you to discover some megaliths around the village of Bagneux in the Boischaut Nord region of Indre, notably the Pierre Couverte de Bué, a Neolithic dolmen classified as a historic monument.

In Bruère-Allichamps, a stone topped with the French flag marks the geographical centre of France.Until the4th century, this stone showed Roman legions the right direction and bears the following inscription:Happy Augustus, Tribune for thethird time, Father of the Fatherland - Proconsul. Leagues: 14 from Bourges (Avaricum) 12 from Châteaumeillant (Mediolanum) 25 from Neris

First stage of the hike from Meillant to the Tronçais Forest.

Leaving Meillant, you will pass through La Celle, Bruère, Saint-Amand-Montrond, Drevant, Colombiers, Coust and Charenton-du-Cher before finally reaching the Saint-Bonnet pond in the Tronçais forest (Allier). Discover the heart of France and its landscapes, as well as Meillant Castle, Noirlac Abbey, Virlay Lake, the Berry Canal and the Marmande Valley.

On the banks of the Cher, Noirlac Abbey watches over its wooded countryside, which has been cultivated by Cistercian monks since the12th century.Still used for livestock farming, this area has retained its original landscape with its meadows surrounded by hedges. The hundred-year-old oak trees, wet meadows and ponds create a rare bocage landscape and protect 427 species. Founded in 1150, Noirlac Abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian sites in Europe.Today, it is a cultural centre and meeting place.

In Saint-Amand-Montrond, Lake Virlay is a popular spot for walkers and sailing enthusiasts. The streets of Saint-Amand are perfect for a leisurely stroll and lead you to the Chemin de ronde de la Forteresse de Montrond. Follow the Canal de Berry and discover the Gallo-Roman theatre in Drevant and the Pont Canal de la Tranchasse.

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.