The Ozanne flows through Yèvres; a circular hike crosses fields and meadows and, in some sections, follows its banks. Notre-Dame and the Carré militaire add architectural and local history to the hiking and scenery. This gives you a choice of a longer walk, horse-riding activities and historical themes when planning your visit.
Hiking along the Ozanne
The circular hike “Yèvres – Sur les rives de l'Ozanne” is of moderate difficulty, 15.5 kilometres long, and is listed as taking about 3 hours and 30 minutes. For planning your day, it is a longer activity in its own right, not a short addition between two sightseeing stops. The route is marked in yellow and starts below Notre-Dame church.
It crosses fields and meadows and follows the banks of the Ozanne. You may encounter hares, partridges and moorhens along the way. Yèvres also offers numerous paths for walks and hikes; the named circular hike is one specific option, with a stated length, difficulty level and approximate duration. Fishing is also possible along the riverbanks in Yèvres—an activity in its own right alongside hiking.
Notre-Dame church and local history
Notre-Dame church was built in the Romanesque period and altered in the 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. It is listed as a historic monument; the protection was enacted by decree on 15 February 1988. Its building history therefore spans the Romanesque period and several later centuries.
The furnishings include a monumental pulpit and a chasuble cabinet containing a significant collection of ecclesiastical vestments. The interior sculptures are by the Breton artist Charles Roscoët. The Carré militaire commemorates soldiers who fell in the First World War from 1914 to 1918; four soldiers from Yèvres rest there side by side. It is near the cemetery shelter, opposite the graves of two Allied soldiers who died when their aircraft crashed on the night of 28 to 29 July 1944.
Horse-riding activities and a break in town
The Ferme Équestre du Grand Épinay in Yèvres offers trail rides, riding lessons, pony rides for beginners and horseback archery. Dates and programmes may vary, so check in advance what is taking place during your stay. This lets you plan a horse-riding activity as a separate focus alongside hiking and local history.
The Aire de l'Ozanne is next to the town centre and has eight shaded picnic tables. It is a specific option for a break in the town area. If you divide your time in Yèvres, you can combine hiking and cultural activities with a stop in town, without needing to follow a fixed itinerary.
Getting there and other excursion options
For travel via the A11 motorway, the access points at Illiers-Combray and Luigny are relevant. Each is about 15 kilometres from Yèvres. In nearby Brou, a weekly market has been held on Wednesdays since at least the 12th century. As market dates may change, it is advisable to check the current date before visiting.
For those considering a longer route, the tourist route of the châteaux of Perche Gouet offers a different scale: this 97-kilometre circular route with 16 stages starts in Yèvres. Compared with the 15.5-kilometre Ozanne hike, it is a much larger undertaking. Check route conditions and signage before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Anet, Vaupillon, Senonches, Ver-lès-Chartres, Nonvilliers-Grandhoux, Rueil-La-Gadelière, La Loupe, La Chaussée-D'ivry.
For the wider travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.
