Saint-Sulpice-sur-Risle walks

To mark the centenary of Maurice de Vlaminck's move to La Tourillière near Rueil-la-Gadelière, a few kilometres from Verneuil-sur-Avre, recently renamed Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton, this tour offers a three-stage discovery of the region that inspired the painter.A hunter, fisherman, walker, cyclist, motorist and motorcyclist, he came to settle here to find peace and inspiration. From 1925 until his death in 1958, under an often changeable sky dotted with clouds, the painter tirelessly explored these landscapes of fields, copses and the vast forest of Senonches, in search of subjects for his many paintings.We will first go from Verneuil to La Ferté-Vidame, passing by his grave in the cemetery of Rueil, his bust sculpted by his friend Paul Belmondo in front of the town hall, and above all his home in La Tourillière, preserved in the state in which he lived.

In the centenary year of Maurice de Vlaminck's move to La Tourillière near Verneuil-sur-Avre, here is a journey through his heartland between Verneuil-sur-Avre and La Loupe. These towns are both served by railway stations that can be reached from Paris Montparnasse. Woods, fields and forests were the inspiration for many of the painter's works. With cloudy skies guaranteed, take a stroll through the landscapes that so strongly inspired this colourful, versatile artist, where he welcomed the greatest celebrities of his time.

Starting from Morvilliers, this loop takes you to the sites where a tragic episode unfolded during the final days of the Maquis de La Ferté-Vidame in August 1944.It first leads to the farm of Mary Thibault, the instigator of the Maquis. It then crosses the Bois de Malassis, where the Maquisards hid after machine-gunning a German car, killing the driver and the secretary of the Kommandantur of La Ferté-Vidame This action triggered the fury of the SS, who, after searching the neighbouring farms in vain, arrested three young members of the Maquis in the hamlet of Les Rayers. They were taken to the nearby Château du Gland, where they were tortured. The first man was shot on 11 August in front of his comrades. The next day, the other two were also executed. They had to dig their own graves. A commemoration takes place every year in the clearing and at the cemetery in Morvilliers, where the bodies were returned after the Liberation.

A very pleasant unmarked route where you cross the Iton several times. It is also an opportunity to discover the former home of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and the beautiful Chambray Castle along the way.

For this second stage, fromthe town hall in La Ferté-Vidame, the route leads to the park entrance. After visiting the part open to the public, you unfortunately have to follow the wall of the former Citroën test centre. It was the birthplace of the "deux chevaux", the "traction avant" and many other models. Enclosed by this 13 km wall, it is impossible to cross, so you have to follow the D941 and D15.The route then crosses an area of farmland and copses. It passes by some pretty, well-restored houses. At La Pommarié, it finally reaches the woods. The Allée du Maupas leads to the Senonches State Forest, which you will follow for a long time. We pass at the foot of two remarkable majestic trees to reach the Grand Rond, a majestic star-shaped crossroads. After the village of Tardais, the route returns to the forest and leads to the entrance to Senonches. It crosses the town via the recently renovated and flower-filled main street.

The second stage of this journey through Vlaminck country will take us from La Ferté-Vidame to Senonches via La Puisaye. After crossing an agricultural plain, the path takes us into the woods of La Saucelle, then into the Senonches State Forest. We will pass through Tardais, a small village where the painter often came to hunt with his friend Michel Erlisch, the village mayor, and where he painted a picture of the church as seen from the town hall. We will finally arrive in Senonches, a small town of character where he often went to enjoy joyful and hearty feasts with friends.

This short loop in the Bois de la Saucelle, near Puisaye, is mainly woodland. It confirms the toponymic meaning of the name Puisaye, which refers to a wetland area. Through private woods, the circuit follows wide avenues, including the Ligne Jacob, whose length, width and majesty could justify the mischievously pretentious name of "Champs Élysées du Perche". However, don't expect to find shops and noisy café terraces here. All you will hear is birdsong. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this unspoilt, authentic natural environment, exploring it on tiptoe so as not to disturb the many animals that you are sure to glimpse if you are discreet.Avoid this route on hunting days. Danger!

This short loop in the Senonches State Forest starts at the Grand Rond, a magnificent star-shaped crossroads of forest paths, and first follows a long forest path that leads to the Rond des Hussards. A path then winds its way between the national forest and private woods. After passing through the Rond de la Rachée, the circuit passes at the foot of the Chêne d'Hérissé, the only tree to survive the 1999 storm in this area. Shortly before the end, the Hêtre du Haut Cornet stands a few metres from the path.

No raspberries in sight: for now, but where have all the raspberry bushes from La Framboisière gone?The name of the village is more likely to come from Bois Francs, meaning woods free of rights.But patience: the new Raspberry Festival will take place in June 2024. Plantings are planned and the shrub should be given pride of place.Take a short tour to discover the crops and the edge of the Senonches State Forest and the village. Pass by the majestic Chêne de la Framboisière oak tree. Memories of an old railway line.

What if you were invited by the Duke of Saint-Simon, famous chronicler of the Court of Versailles, to celebrate his350th birthday in La Ferté-Vidame? Imagine being able to accept this unlikely invitation and spending a weekend on this two-stage loop that will take you from Senonches, through forests and farmland, to his "favourite residence". Since 1975, the Saint-Simon Prize has been awarded every September to a contemporary memoirist during the book festival. In 2025, it will be the50th edition and we will celebrate the 350th anniversary of the duke, who was born in 1675. Set off to explore his estate and the "Petites Cités de Caractère" (small towns of character) of Senonches and La Ferté-Vidame along long forest paths, ponds and country lanes. If you are unable to meet the duke and his beloved wife, the Maison Saint-Simon will tell you about his life and work. Visit the romantic ruins of the castle built by the Marquis de Laborde shortly before the Revolution in the park.

This first stage connects Senonches to La Ferté Vidame. Through the national forest, the route takes you to the village of La Framboisière, the Château de la Hézière, near which there was once a glassworks, and, via a long forest road, leads to La Puisaye. After skirting the Étang de Rouge, the path crosses farmland and arrives at La Ferté-Vidame, the stronghold of the Duke of Saint-Simon, famous chronicler of the court of Versailles. At the entrance to the park, in the Pavillon Saint-Dominique, home to the tourist office, the Maison Saint-Simon presents his life and work. A walk in the park allows you to contemplate the vast views, the ponds and the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de la Borde, which replaced the medieval fortress, the "favourite residence" of the memoirist, in the 18th century. Recently restored, the "little castle" once belonged to King Louis-Philippe, benefactor of the village. The classical-style Saint-Nicolas Church contains the tomb of the duke and his wife.

This last stage of our journey through the Vlaminck region takes us from Senonches to La Loupe. Initially mainly wooded, the route then crosses the Eure valley, passing close to the Fontaine-Simon water park, where you can stop for refreshments. La Loupe station provides a quick return to Paris-Montparnasse.

A forest hike starting from the Perche Water Park in Fontaine-Simon. The path leads into the Senonches State Forest after following the edge of the lake. A picturesque trail along the old railway line, a long forest line and then a path that descends into the Tourbière des Froux lead to this protected natural site, home to rare plant and animal species. Passing through hamlets and ponds, you return to La Ferrière, the site of former iron ore mining.

A beautiful hike, mostly in the woods around the Eure valley, starting from the Senonches State Forest and ending at the Boizard locks. Built in 1785 by Louis XIV's engineers, this structure was supposed to be the starting point of an unfinished aqueduct that would have carried water from the Eure to the fountains in the park of the Palace of Versailles. On the way back, discover the Château des Vaux and its gardens.

Come and discover the animals at Cerza Zoological Park, such as rhinos, giraffes and a few gazelles. This ride is very pleasant, wooded and hilly, and can be enjoyed at a walking pace or at a trot or gallop.