The good life: a walker's paradise 

On the road: Hiking through nature

Get close to nature as you enjoy the fresh air and sunshine of our countryside. From an afternoon hike in the country to a week-long journey through villages, past chateaus and along rivers there are over 1,500km of hiking trails to explore in the Eure et Loir.

And along the way, you'll find a wide selection of affordable country accommodations, where you will get to know local families and enjoy the charm and hospitality of our region.

A wealth of material exists to help you plan your trip. Circuit information cards and "topoguides" not only are easy to follow but contain advice on what to see along the way. Soon, these guides will be available to download on-line!

Cross-country adventure:

Interested in exploring the region on foot, stopping off along the way for a night in a country inn?  There are 500 km of nature trails in the Eure et Loir designated "G.R." or Grande Randonnée trails. Buy the map, and follow the trail. Each trail is designed in stages, for hiking over several days with accommodation breaks marked along the route (self-catering gîtes, bed & breakfasts, country inns, camp grounds). It's a great way to see la vraie France, in a region as varied and picturesque as the Eure et Loir.

- GR 655: Saint-Jacques de Compostelle (leaving from Paris) by the Vallée de l'Eure and then the Vallée du Loir

- GR 35: Through the Perche from Verneuil-sur-Avre to Cloyes-sur-le-Loir

- GR 351: From Senonches to Dreux through the Vallée de la Blaise

- GR 22: From Paris to Mont Saint-Michel by the Vallée d'Avre

- GR de Pays de la Vallée de l'Eure: de La Loupe à Dreux via Chartres

Shorter walking trails for all levels:

Head off on a hiking adventure with friends and family using topographical maps, called "Topoguides," and covering the over 1000 kilometers of trails in the Perche, the Beauce, the Vallée de l'Eure and Haute Vallée du Loir.  Created to bring you back to your point of departure you can choose a trail for an hour-long walk or set out for an entire day.

Hiking Topoguides are published by the FFRP and are in French:

- Topoguide l'Eure-et-Loir à pied : A guide to 37 trails tested and documented by the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre (FFRP). Price: 12.95€

- Topoguide la Haute Vallée du Loir et la Beauce: 21 trails documented by the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre (FFRP). Price: 7.80€.

- Topoguide Perche (coming out spring 2007)

- Topoguide Région Centre (coming out in june 2007)

Special "Discover Nature" trails:

Explore one of 17 trails, from 1-13 km long, which privilege the discovery of nature. Along the way, information panels describe the area's plants and animals. Booklets on sale.