The most beautiful natural sites to discover Central

Looking for fresh air? Head for the Louroux pond, one of the largest in the region but also one of the most interesting. Classified as a sensitive natural area, many birds make their nests there. An ornithological observatory has been created to observe coots and grebes. As for the flora, two nationally protected species, the gratiola and the buttercup, grow on the site. A walk of about 5 km (2 hours) around the lake is not to be missed. Angling is permitted on the dike.

This 2,5 km walk from the castle park offers beautiful views over Lavardin and its castle. On the road you can admire Saint-Genest church, the cave site of the Rotte aux Farts, one of the many caves in the village where men settled several hundred years ago. Some are still inhabited! You will also find the Renaissance house of Florent Tissard dating back to the th century.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

Played-lès-Tours has a green area around a lake where residents of the city, surrounding cities and holidaymakers can relax and enjoy all year round. In addition to the beautiful promenade that allows you to go around the lake, you can breathe fresh air in the woods around, come play with the children at the playground and Gadawi Park, the patch space, or enjoy nautical activities. The nautical school offers you canoeing, windsurfing and sailing from 10 a. m. to 8 p. m. (information and rates at 02 47 67 45 04). In summer, a bathing structure is installed with two supervised basins. Perfect after a picnic!

A few steps from the railway, on the road to Rémalard. 14,30 meters of circumference at the foot. This large oak would have replaced a millénaire oak. He has a legend. He was reportedly planted by a knight of Montireau, a pledge of fidelity to his fiancée. A virgin's statuette would have been filed in a hollow. The revolutionaries would have removed him from his cavity, a fungus would have pushed it and would have taken the form of the virgin.

It is a well-known reserve for ornithologists. The walker heron, a bird of Africa, nest there, while other migratory species are on call. With a range of 110 hectares, the lake is the largest expanse of water in Eure-et-Loir. A large number of palmipèdes, passereaux, wading… have been elected to the house. In winter, on the islands and marshes, we observe the tadorne of belson, the great pappus… With patience, one can discover the shy and tiny ringer crapaud toad, originating in the Evreux forest. For years, this very rare species has been installed in ponds. Since 1985, it has received special attention and is protected by the first French order to safeguard a amphibian.

This circuit is indicated at the beginning of Senonches. The route leads from the, forest to the charming little woods from the top of the Perche through the Domaine de La Ferté-Vidame.

This city owes its prestigious past to illustrious hosts, including the Duke of St. Simon, the Marquis de Laborde, the Duke of Penthièvre and King Louis-Philippe. Between wood and ponds, magnificent buildings are distinguished. Ancient fortresses of the Middle Ages and Mansions of the th and th centuries reflect the prosperity of the activities of the day. This circuit gives you a chance to walk through the forest and to discover the local producers who open their doors for original visits.

It must be part of your walk, we must not miss it. Its 12 hectares make it one of the largest ponds in Perche. For history, it was created in the Middle Ages by monks for whom the concern was to feed the population the days of fasting. At the end of the th century, it became the starting point for a flotation channel.

Indeed, the Ruisseau Creek was built to transport wood from the forest to Rouen by the Avre, the Eure and the Seine. The Revolution and the cost of this development caused great dissatisfaction, so the project was abandoned. The Bénette site is designed to allow motorists to stop and discover the surrounding fauna and flora.

It covers 4,287 hectares, it is the largest in the department and one of the largest in France. Its conservation and protection are ensured by the NFB. It is divided into two parts. The high forest, to the north, surrounds the Tardais and Bénette ponds and further on the Haron and Bauchiots ponds. The low forest to the south shelters remarkable trees: the three brothers and the armchair oak. A forest ideal for family walks and discovering the fauna and flora. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!

A few kilometres from the city, it offers its 3 300 hectares. The NFB guarantees the protection of many species such as secular oaks, oaks or pédonculés, charms, couches, coppice… The th-century hunting pavilion is a strategic point for the departure of walks, many walks offer you. Near the pavilion, the arboretum presents the main species listed on the massif.

The Loing is not far if you pass by Dordives where the Vallée des Ardouses already welcomes you with its 4 hectares. Here, there are 70 hectares where sensitive nature has regained its rights in the Sablière de Cercanceaux, a former material extraction site. Follow the 7 km path that goes around it and admire Mother Nature: frogs and dragonflies enchant. These landscapes are ideal for contemplation and have become a beautiful ornithological observatory. But where is Ornicar?

Located in a traditional th century house, in the heart of the, forest, the Maison de la Forêt invites to discover the forest world. The visit is interactive thanks to a sound atmosphere, manipulation and experience. Different themes related to forests are addressed: the four seasons, the life of the tree, its different species, the forest soil, the animals of the ground, etc. All year round, the forest trails complete the visit. Guided by Pablo, the mascot, take the badger's trail, a family journey in the forest. On the jay's course you will learn about this bird while the butterfly trail will help you find a mysterious local specimen. Enigmas, booklet and interpretive panels are this course. The GPS Trail combines technology and discovery of forest heritage: GPS and booklet are available to discover unfamiliar locations. Finally, the Bats Trail gives an opportunity to learn more about this strange bug. Once again, with a playful booklet, children will have to help Betty, a young bat, regain his family name. School holidays are the opportunity for animation and production workshops, while in May artists perform works in the forest. They take a completely different dimension in August, time of performances and night walks.

Located in the woods of Chanteloube, not far from Nohant, the Mare au Diable existed at the time of George Sand, who was walking there with his children. The mare was recorded on the cadastre in 1848. However, the current mare no longer resembles what it was in 1844, when Mauritius drew it for its mother. It is very small. Despite this, the Mare to the Devil's contemporary version still has a mysterious side under the big trees.

One of the most beautiful natural sites in the department. From the rock rocks located on the right bank of Creuse, you discover the panorama of the ruins of Crozant Castle, located in Creuse, on their rocky spur surrounded by two rivers, la Creuse and Sédelle. You can reach this landscape after a pleasant walk in the small trails lined with dry stone muds. To explain the name of this rock, it is said that every year a competition brought together the girls of the land. They had to get the wool from the famous rock. A legend says that the girl whose spindle was touching the water first without the thread breaking had the chance to marry the son of the lord or one of his companions and be richly endowed. Today, girls use much more solid yarns because the Filmmaking Rocher is a school of climbing.