Visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park: a comprehensive guide

Passing in the Loire Valley Centre? So come visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park, a famous park for its varied ponds and landscapes!

Wild land and flower of biodiversity in France, Brenne presents wild and natural scenery to lose sight. Once in the park, you get lost in the middle of ponds, moors, woods, meadows and heathers. This natural refuge is the privileged territory of a peaceful butterfly fauna and flora, dragonflies, birds and other animals. They reign here as a master, so be sure to be discreet when you come to visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park.

To help you on your adventures, Wanderlix offers you a comprehensive guide to visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park as it should be.

The Brenne Regional Natural Park in a few words

The Brenne Regional Natural Park covers nearly 183,000 hectares. This wild land is sprinkled with over 3,000 ponds, which are privileged spaces for many wild spaces. Many are, for example, migratory birds that come to reproduce. Visiting the Brenne Regional Natural Park is thus a botany and ornithology enthusiast. It houses 2,300 animal species and 1,200 plant species.

Among the most emblematic are:

• The herron for pre,
• cistude of Europe (a small freshwater turtle),
• The black neck grebe,
• The duck,
• The starry butor,
• Orchid,
• Or the dragonfly.

But the territory of the Brenne is also scattered by some charming small villages which kept the authentic character of Berry’s regional architecture. After all, it was human activity that shaped the face of the park from the Middle Ages. The ponds were created for fish farming or to drink livestock. This park is the paradise for heritage lovers, nature, hiking or cycling.

1. Walking and hiking

To visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park, walking is obviously one of the best means of transport. The park is surrounded by hiking trails. They will allow you to easily discover all types of landscape present in this natural paradise. You can choose a one-day walk or a multi-day roaming hike (3-6). The Park's official website lists all the hiking or hiking trails.

Hiking in roaming

Following the yellow and red marks, the Park offers 7 hiking routes from 3 to 6 days. Many accommodations take these routes.

Among the must-see hikes of the Natural Park are the most important ones "Bangs of the Heart of Brenne" or "Grand Brenne, between ponds and forests" both from Mézières-en-Brenne. The first extends over 70 kilometres , and you will have to plan 3 days to finish it. A length of 114 kilometres , the second can end in 5 days walking.

From Le Blanc you can also hike “By the cliffs of Anglin and Creuse” . A length of 74 kilometers, it lasts on average four days.

From Belabre to the south you can finally hike « Petite Brenne » to discover this other micro-region of the park. The latter extends over 69 kilometres and lasts 3 days on average.

2. VTT excursions

Just like walking, the bike is a privileged means of transport to visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park. Once again, there are many cycling trails in this natural haven of peace. You will find many bike routes or even mountain bike tours on the official site of the natural park. You can also go directly to a Tourist Office, especially to recover an updated map.

Among the must-see routes, we can mention the bike route #5, "The Great Ring of the Brenne Ponds" , which leaves from Mézières-en-Brenne. A length of 48 kilometres , it ends in less than 4 hours. Other one-day routes are found throughout the park.

ATV, "The 7-hat buckle" who leaves Belabre will fully satisfy lovers of intense sport! extending over 35 kilometres , she travels in three hours. You will also find 4 other mountain bike circuits from Mézières-en-Brenne. All hiking and circuits are marked and well indicated.

You will also find many places to rent a bike in the park's cities. There are also guided bike tours. This activity is ideal to learn more about the fauna and flora of the Brenne Regional Natural Park.

3. Hiking on horseback

Another great way to visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park is the horse! Whether you're already an amateur or a complete novice, you'll necessarily find your happiness to discover the horse park.

Indeed, it is possible to participate in a guided tour, accompanied by a professional. The latter will surely tell you some anecdotes about the area. But it will teach you more about the natural and cultural wealth of Brenne. There are 4 equestrian centres in the park, which offer both accompaniment and rentals. These centres are located in Rosnay, Fontgombault, Douadic and Ruffec.

You can then opt for a guided tour, the walk lasts a few hours to a day. You can also rent a horse and start a roaming hike. The Park offers two 3 days and one 2 days. You can then discover the landscapes of the Grande Brenne with its ponds and the landscapes of the Petite Brenne. You will find accommodations to welcome you with your mount at each stage of the hike

For more information, you can also visit the official site of the Natural Park. The latter covers both walks and hikes as well as places of accommodation and equestrian centers.

4. The canoe-kayak descents

The Brenne is covered by several rivers, including the Creuse, tributary from Vienna and sub-affluent from the Loire. To visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park over the water, you can choose canoe-kayak!

In the park you will find 6 centers where to rent canoes or to participate in a guided discovery. They are located in Le Blanc, Belabre, Tournon-Saint-Martin, Mézières-en-Brenne and Saint-Gaultier.

The official website certainly lists these 6 places, but does not yet indicate the routes and routes available. For this, trust local professionals!

5. Routes by car

To visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park, the car is your last asset. Certainly, this means of transport will not allow you to enjoy the natural wonders of the park. However, it will help you to reach each of the starting points (one day or no), but above all to visit the different monuments of the Brenne.

To go from castles to castles, museums on reserve, it is better to have its own vehicle. Here are two car routes to visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park and some of its must-sees in one day:

A day north of Brenne Regional Natural Park

Start with the Château d’Azay-le-Ferron, a French castle typical of Renaissance castle. Its interior, park and French gardens are worth a visit.

Then go to the Haute-Touche Zoological Reserve. This wildlife park is located near Azay-le-Ferron, northeast of the park. In a forest of 500 hectares, you can see more than 1,000 animals, from the 5 continents. This park can be visited with your vehicle, or on foot, by bike or by electric car.

A day south of Brenne Regional Natural Park

Start your day with the city The White The largest of the park. Traversed by the Creuse River, it features a charming medieval town, as well as a castle. Its castle is home to the Brenne Ecomusea. The latter is dedicated to women and men, pond creators, blacksmiths or cultivators, who have lived and made the History of this region.

After this visit, you can walk « Chemin d’eau, chemin de fer n°12 » 2 hours 30.

Of course, do not miss extending your stay by stopping in a city of the park. You can then enjoy one or more beautiful walks in the park, whether by bike, by foot, by horse or even by canoe-kayak.

6. The balloon overflight

On the feet on the ground, the park seems beautiful to us. So imagine high! Go for a hot-air balloon flight to admire local fauna and flora, but also urban areas. It is certainly an essential activity. So take your flight!

You have arrived at the end of this article. With all this information, visit the Brenne Regional Natural Park should be a child’s game. Good stay!