Thiron-Gardais walks

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.

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.

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 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.

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…

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.

A walk offering numerous views of the Perche countryside: orchards, sunken lanes lined with hedgerows, and Normandy or Limousin cattle.

Set amongst woods and rivers, this route takes walkers through the lush countryside so dear to Marcel Proust, the illustrious guest of Illiers-Combray.

A historical and heritage tour of the capital of the Perche region, following in the footsteps of Rotrou III, Count of the Perche, Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, and Rémy Belleau, poet of the Pléiade.

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.

The open space beyond the village offers views of the traditional buildings and the châteaux that dot the route: La Couture, Le Châtaignier and Lignerolles. The latter estate was vast in the 19th century; it stretched into the village and also included numerous woodlands. This route was developed in collaboration with the Eure-et-Loir Departmental Hiking Committee. Follow the yellow markings.

The "Terres Douces" countryside reveals a heritage full of charm: the former Priory of Les Châtaigniers and the Manoir de la Guillerie.

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.

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!