The best walks and hikes around Férolles

Beautiful old barges lie in the river.

the temple of love

Until the middle of the 19th century, the Loire was the main route through which goods passed from the interior of the country to the port of Nantes. Saint Denis de l'Hotel. Jargeau [In a letter of donations from the Bishop of Orléans MANASSES de GARLANDE in favor of the Chapter of Jargeau dated 1163, our commune is designated: ECCLESIAM SANCTI DIONYSI DE HOSPITIO SUPRA LIGERIM (Church of Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel on Loire). The port During the time of the Loire navy, commercial activities were very important there and even in the 17th century exceeded those of the port of Jargeau (trade in wine, vinegar, wood). The Bridges of Saint Denis from the Hotel The first bridge was built in the 13th century and destroyed in 1790; its foundations are still visible during low water periods. From 1790 to 1834, a ferry allowed the crossing of the river. In 1832 a wooden suspension bridge was built, replaced by another metal one, inaugurated on July 10, 1927. It was damaged twice during the 1939-45 war, repaired then definitively destroyed in 1988, the date the current bridge was put into service. it replaced an old suspension bridge located further downstream.

Bridge lit by LEDs, different illuminations and colors depending on the time of year, particularly summer, an application was even created for the occasion under the name bridge & lights

At this location, during sanitation work in 1968, a certain number of ancient and medieval remains were unearthed, witnesses to the occupation of this site since Antiquity. Vienne-en-Val is also located on the Roman road from Orléans to Sancerre. The presence of two churches, one Merovingian and one dating from the 10th century, was revealed by surveys. The remains found, in particular sculpted blocks reused in these later constructions, attest that a sanctuary from the Early Roman Empire existed in the area but its location has not yet been discovered. You can discover these ancient blocks nearby, in a community hall which serves as a lapidary museum.

If you are looking for a peaceful and natural place to stop off during your hike, you can visit the Courpain nature reserve, a 13-hectare space located at the confluence of the Loiret and the Loire. This site is part of the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve and is home to a forest rich in 23 species of trees and 15 species of shrubs. You can enjoy the seasonal beauty of this place, such as the white carpet of snowdrops in March, the concert of birds in May, or the white rafts of water crows on the Loiret in June.

Located on the right bank of the Loire, Châteauneuf-sur-Loire has a vast and pleasant wooded park. There is also the maritime museum which traces the history of sailors and navigation.

All along this meander, nature is very beautiful and offers magnificent views of the Loire and Bird Island. There is a large sandy beach nearby.