Combreux offers several different ways to enjoy a visit: walks along the Canal d’Orléans, forest trails, the Étang de la Vallée leisure area and historic buildings. When planning your visit, consider whether you would rather focus on a stated walking time, nature watching, leisure activities or cultural heritage.
Canal, forest and leisure area
The Canal d’Orléans runs through Combreux and is considered a good place for walks. Between Combreux and Châtenoy, the canal reaches its highest point at the summit level. The Étang de la Vallée leisure area lies between the Canal d’Orléans and the Forêt d’Orléans. The canal, forest and leisure area therefore offer different kinds of outings in Combreux.
What the leisure area offers
The Étang de la Vallée area includes a beach with free access, a children’s playground, a pétanque court, a beach volleyball court, sports equipment and picnic tables. For 2026, swimming in the Étang is not possible. Canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boating, as well as other land-based activities, remain available. Check the conditions again in future seasons.
Leisure activities also include canoe and stand-up paddleboard hire, Gel Blaster, axe throwing, high-ropes climbing, a nature escape game and horse-drawn carriage rides. Operators and availability may change, so check what is currently on offer before your visit. There is a car park with 500 spaces at the Étang de la Vallée. For 2026, parking there is permitted during the day from 08:00 to 21:00. Check the applicable parking rules before travelling.
Forest trails for different interests
The Forest Art loop starts at the Étang de la Vallée car park. It is 6.6 kilometres long, is considered very easy and takes about one hour and 30 minutes. This approximate walking time can help you fit the trail into your day’s plans. Route details may change, so check current trail conditions before setting out.
The Sentier des bois Bézard runs around the Étang de la Vallée through an area between Combreux, Vitry-aux-Loges and Seichebrières. Explanatory signs guide you along the 15-kilometre route. Along the way, you can observe trees, mushrooms, flowers, ponds and birds. While Forest Art is described in terms of its length, difficulty rating and approximate time needed, the marked route and nature watching are the main features of the Sentier des bois Bézard.
The Sentier sensoriel des Carnutes offers another way to explore the forest. This trail through the Druids’ forest is accessible to everyone and has an adapted, firm surface. Its design also includes sensory panels with raised features and Braille. These trail features set it apart from the other two routes, which focus on length, route or things to observe.
Church, château and a November event
The present-day Église Saint-Pierre de Combreux was built in 1869. It houses relics of Saint Philomena. The Château de Combreux was rebuilt between 1887 and 1905 in a neo-Gothic medieval style, on the site of a 16th-century building. It is not open to the public. If an outside view or a special event is important to your plans, check access in advance.
An annual event is also part of local life: the Rallye Combreux and hunters celebrate the feast of Saint Hubert every year on the first Saturday in November. Check the date before travelling if you would like to plan your stay around it.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin, Ferrières-En-Gâtinais, Chaingy, Châlette-Sur-Loing, Batilly-En-Puisaye, Briare, Beaugency, Saint-Jean-Le-Blanc.
For the broader travel overview: Loiret.
