The best walks and hikes around Pithiviers-Le-Vieil

A huge magnifying glass on a plane tree

The Manoir de la Taille, also known as the Château de Bondaroy, is a fortified manor house which dates from the 14th century and was the birthplace of two Renaissance poets, Jean and Jacques de La Taille. You can admire the impressive facade, towers and gatehouse, as well as the surrounding countryside. You can also explore the neighboring town of Pithiviers, which has a rich heritage and a famous pastry, the pithivier.

Using the power of moving water to drive a mill wheel is an ancient invention that dates back to pre-Christian times. Thanks to such a construction, human or animal muscle power could easily be replaced by a watercourse - natural or artificial - in order, for example, to grind grains into grain. There are essentially two different ways to drive water mills: either the water simply hits the blades of the water wheel from below to set it in motion; or the water flow is guided above the wheel and falls onto the blades, with this design there is greater efficiency due to natural gravity.

One of the many mills formerly in operation on the Oeuf.

A private Louis XIII-style castle, it has a magnificent park crossed by the Egg, a river taking its source in the forest of Orléans and flowing into the Essonne. There is also an 18th century dovecote.

The Manor of La Taille, also called Château de Bondaroy, is a fortified manor whose construction dates back to the 14th century. Opulent construction, it does not leave indifferent the walkers who follow its thick walls. Listed in the register of historical monuments in 1974, the manor is now a private property. Banquets and seminars are sometimes organized there and it is possible to visit the place during the summer.

Pithiviers is a commune located in the heart of Beauce, in the hollow of the Egg. In a very rural Beauce, Pithiviers is a historical and cultural lung. The Château de Bellecour, the Saint-Georges collegiate church, the town hall or the Place du Martroi are just a few examples of the many curiosities that swarm the city. With 9,000 inhabitants, the city has all types of shops, from accommodation to restaurants. Wander the alleys of its old center to find a pretty table or a comfortable mattress. The Pithiviers train station is now closed to the public, but buses from the Ulys network serve daily Orléans (line 20) and Montargis (line 11) where a train station allows travel to Paris.

The Moulin de la Porte marsh is an ecological setting located to the east of Pithiviers. A variety of flora and fauna inhabit this 20-hectare wetland. Popular with walkers, the marsh is also a leisure activity for hikers who travel through the Egg Valley. In the heart of the marsh, a discovery trail decorated with educational panels tells you more about the richness of its nature.