Serruelles walks

The Serruelles walk is a good warm-up before heading off to other nearby trails: Chavannes and its marsh, Saint-Loup des Chaumes or even Châteauneuf-sur-Cher and its Route des Loges de Vignes.You can combine this walk (Yellow Marker No. 7) with the Route des Loges de Vignes in Châteauneuf-sur-Cher (Yellow Marker No. 9).

A walking trail that runs alongside the Cher river and offers a pleasant walk through the forest before returning to this small village of 58 inhabitants. You can also enjoy other nearby trails: Chambon, Saint-Symphorien, Vallenay, Saint-Loup-de-Chaumes and theGR®41.

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.

A short walk to fully enjoy nature and its biodiversity.

Starting from the water tower at Place Séraucourt, this is a pleasant circular of around 60 kilometres, with no particular difficulties.

The birthplace of the Grand Noir du Berry donkey breed, Lignières thrives thanks to its sporting and cultural events. Les Bains-Douches is a renowned contemporary music venue with a programme running from September to June. The Donkey Fair, held on Whit Monday, is a must for lovers of long ears. A route of the town of Lignières will allow you to discover more about this crossroads of trade.

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 allows you to discover the marsh, which has been shaped since 1640, when the city of Bourges sold part of its communal land to turn it into usable gardens.The marsh workers surrounded these marshes with outer ditches, dug inner ditches and established service roads.You will discover this work and these gardeners through a superb family walk.

Climb up to the Grand Tertre, the last foothills of the Massif Central, which offers exceptional views of the Auvergne mountains on a clear day. Descend and follow the Canal de Berry before returning to the Petite Cité de Caractère of Drevant.

This route takes you past the saffron well, the saffron farm (visits by appointment) and then along a shaded section of the Tripande before climbing through the fields overlooking Moulins-sur-Yèvre. You may encounter deer here.

The commune of Coust is located south of the Cher, on the border between Berry and Bourbonnais in the Chignon valley. In the past, the stream fed a large pond between Pied de Coust and the church. It turned the wheels of the mills at Touzelles and Petit Paris before reaching the Rouchat mill. In the past, this stream was essential for Saint-Amand as it fed the moats of Montrond Castle and then those of the Saint-Amand-sous-Montrond enclosure.

Construction of the Canal de Berry began around 1808 on the initiative of Napoleon I and was completed in 1841. It took its current name, "Canal de Berry", in 1830. Its creation required, among other things, the installation of 115 locks, one every three kilometres. It consists of three branches that meet at Fontblisse, which is point 0. Many barges used to travel along it, transporting grain, wood and iron ore. The canal was decommissioned in 1955.

The Tronçais national forest is famous for the quality of its oak trees. It produces wood that is particularly prized for making barrels in which the finest French wines are aged. Its age and history make Tronçais the emblem of France's great national forests.