Walks near Blois: the Loire, forests and Cisse valley
Loire, woodland and villages · Source updated on 15 September 2026
A few kilometres beside the Loire, woodland paths or a picnic near the Cisse: landscapes change quickly around Blois. First decide how much time you have, then choose the terrain you enjoy. Here are areas to consider for your next walk.
Three waymarked circuits to get you walking
These circular walks are presented by the Blois-Chambord tourist office and waymarked by FFRandonnée 41. The durations below come from the route sheets: add time for your breaks. Find the route sheets, maps and downloads in the references below.
The Loire · La marquise de Pompadour de Ménars
4.3 km · 1 hour 50 minutes · easy. Start at the car park on place de Chimay, rue de Marigny, opposite the castle gates in Ménars.
Woodland · Le bois de Chassepaille
5.3 km · 1 hour 50 minutes · easy. Start at the church square in Rilly-sur-Loire.
The Cisse · Fossé–Brûlé
6 km · 2 hours · easy. Start at the town hall car park in Fossé.
The Loire banks: an easy place to begin
From Blois, head to the riverbanks for a walk you can make as long or short as you wish. Decide where to turn back before setting off. On paths shared with bicycles, stay alert to other users; ground conditions and access may change with the weather.
Blois and Russy: two separate forests
The forests of Blois and Russy both offer walking opportunities. They are separate areas: save the starting point given on your chosen route sheet. A short woodland circuit fits easily into a day before returning to your holiday home.
Beside the water in the Cisse valley
In Valencisse, the Promenade des Rinceaux is on the way out of Molineuf towards Chambon-sur-Cisse. There are benches and picnic tables beside the Cisse. The local council also describes access to neighbouring paths, worth considering for a quieter outing.
Choose between the Loire, forest and Cisse
- For a short break, take an out-and-back walk beside the Loire with a turning point chosen in advance.
- For woodland, choose a waymarked circuit in the forest of Blois or Russy.
- For a picnic, try Les Rinceaux, then a neighbouring path if your group wants to walk further.
Find your route and starting point
The Blois-Chambord tourist office lists walks with distances, durations and difficulty levels. Read the chosen route sheet for the starting point, map and access conditions. For families, favour a short circular walk and leave plenty of time for breaks.
Before setting off: water, suitable footwear, weather forecast, a downloaded route and a planned return time. Follow permitted paths and signs, particularly in forests.
Your base for the stay
La Maison des Chalands, on the Vienne side, is convenient for enjoying the Loire banks and has a patio for bicycles. La Demeure de Chemonton and Le Nid de Saint-Honoré suit guests combining walks with life in the historic centre. Le Cottage de Chitenay offers a countryside base for exploring the area.
A walking route does not necessarily begin outside your accommodation: check the journey before choosing an outing.
Put together an outing for everyone
A short walk between visits
Choose an out-and-back route you can shorten. Agree a turning point, then adapt it to the group’s energy. For children, a stop beside the water or a picnic can become the highlight of the outing.
Half a day in the forest
First choose a route sheet stating the starting point and waymarking. Keep it available offline and check any restrictions shown on site.
Walking or cycling?
Let the available time and your group’s abilities guide the choice. A cycle route is not automatically a suitable circular walk. To vary your stay, the tourist office also presents the Châteaux de la Loire à Vélo routes.
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References and practical information
Links retained from the French article. Check the official pages for current visiting conditions; some sources are in French.
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