Refine your search for walks in Senonches Rond de Battenberg, carrefour Avenue Poucin - Avenue des Evés.
A weekend with the Duke of Saint-Simon
Walker 
39.06 km
+84 m
-89 m
2 days
Difficult
Departure from Senonches (Eure-et-Loir)
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.
From Senonches to La Ferté-Vidame
Walker 18.85 km
+51 m
-22 m
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Senonches (Eure-et-Loir)
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.
Walks near Senonches Rond de Battenberg, carrefour Avenue Poucin - Avenue des Evés.
Senonches - La Loupe
Walker 13.36 km
+63 m
-66 m
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Senonches (Eure-et-Loir)
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.
La Ferté-Vidame - Senonches
Walker 19.36 km
+1 m
-34 m
5h 30
Difficult
Departure from La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir)
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.
From La Ferté-Vidame to Senonches
Walker 20.21 km
+33 m
-67 m
5h 50
Difficult
Departure from La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir)
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.