The Loire Valley with a donkey
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationLoir-et-Cher / Blois
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AgeFrom 2 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions73.8 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Explore the Loire Valley from a unique perspective and let yourself be carried away by an authentic adventure where you can completely disconnect. This multi-day hike , based on companionship, invites you to walk at the slow and steady pace of a pack donkey . A true partner on the journey, this long-eared companion makes walking easier for even the youngest hikers while creating a unique connection with nature .
Along the trails, the heritage gently unfolds: admire the majestic silhouette of a castle or wander through peaceful woodlands far from the hustle and bustle. This responsible way of traveling allows you to rediscover the pleasure of contemplation and leisurely exploration. Caring for your pet requires daily attention, transforming each stage into an educational and fun experience for families .
Experience a 100% wild interlude , between royal river and preserved landscapes, to forge unforgettable memories in the heart of the garden of France .
The highlights
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Peaceful walks accessible to the whole family
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The warm welcome from your hosts throughout the journey
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The Loire Valley castles and the lush Sologne forest
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
- A multi-day hiking trip with a donkey, suitable for families.
- Recommended for children aged 3 and up
- Daily stages: between 10 and 15 km, or 3 to 5 hours of walking
The hikes prioritize discovery over the sporting aspect.
A travel guide accompanies you throughout your vacation.
At each stage, you will find a resting area for the donkey with water and food. We also provide logistical and technical support.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 13 km
Management
Program
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Arrival in Cheverny at the end of the day
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Welcome to Sologne! Settle into your guest house.
Overnight stay and dinner in a guest house.
Day 1 -
A stroll between Contres and Cheverny
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 12 km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After leaving your car at your donkey's around 10:30 am, savor your first moments of complicity with your donkey through the green landscapes of the Cheverny forest, without missing the visit to the charming Château de Troussay, a 15th-century gem nestled amidst the vineyards.
Overnight stay and dinner in a guest house.
Day 2 -
Loop around Cheverny
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 11 km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Enjoy a bucolic interlude near your stop, where the tranquil step of your companion invites you to contemplation: between ponds and typical hamlets, keep your eyes peeled to surprise a deer or a fox in the heart of preserved nature.
Day 3 -
Walk between Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny, via the Château de Cheverny
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 14 km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a getaway between the Sologne countryside and forest paths, the majestic Château de Cheverny reveals itself to you: let yourself be seduced by the building that inspired Hergé's famous Moulinsart castle, before concluding this stage with a refined tasting at the Maison des Vins.
Overnight stay and dinner (catered meal) in a guest room.
Day 4 -
Walk around Cour-Cheverny
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 15 km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Away from the tourist routes, immerse yourself in the intimacy of the Sologne forest for a stroll along the ponds; here, silence reigns supreme and, if you remain attentive, the wildlife will reveal itself to you in all its serenity.
Overnight stay and dinner (catered meal) in a guest room.
Day 5 -
A walk between Cour-Cheverny and Contres
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 10 km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This final leg of your journey takes you along the royal paths of the Sologne forest for a timeless interlude, a feeling of being "alone in the world" amidst woods and ponds. Before returning your donkey to its home and retrieving your car in Cour-Cheverny, take a moment for one last hug to seal this travel friendship.
Overnight stay in a guest house and dinner at your leisure.
Day 6 -
Departure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure after breakfast
Day 7
Accommodation
Welcome to the heart of Sologne, in the Loire Valley!
This charming guest house and table d'hôtes awaits you in Cheverny, ideally located amidst the main Loire Valley châteaux. Nestled in the heart of nature within a 6-hectare estate, it occupies a fully renovated 17th-century walled farmhouse.
To complete your stay, a heated swimming pool welcomes you in the summer season (from May to September, depending on the weather), nestled in the heart of an enclosed and landscaped garden, a true haven of peace in the heart of nature.
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
- Quadruple room
Children are all different and unique.
Free WiFi
Free parking
Bike storage
Dining room
Kitchen available
Petanque court
Terrace
Breakfast included
Access
Access:
- By car: motorway: A10 exit 17 Blois and D956.
- By plane: Paris or Nantes airports.
Go to the starting point
Nearest train station: Blois-Chambord station
Motorway: A10 exit 17 Blois and D956.
Price details
The price includes
- 5 nights full board (dinners, breakfasts and picnics) in charming guest rooms
- 1 night and breakfast in a charming bed and breakfast
- Travel file via GPS navigation app
- logistical and technical assistance
- Luggage transport
The price does not include
- Transportation to the place of stay
- Dinners of the day 6
- Drinks and extras
- Round trip to the first accommodation on the route
Options
- Donkey rental : CHF352.20 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
For French citizens:
Valid national identity card (CNI): for all participants, including children.
For foreign nationals:
Valid national identity card or passport: depending on your country of origin.
Visa: if necessary, depending on your nationality and the length of your stay.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Bath towel: preferably quick-drying.
- Sunglasses: with UV protection.
- Daypack (20-30 L): for carrying your daily essentials.
- Water bottle or hydration pack: with a capacity of at least 1.5 L.
- Sunscreen: high SPF.
- Lip balm: with sun protection.
- Headlamp or torch: with spare batteries.
- First aid kit: with bandages, disinfectant, etc.
Clothing to bring
- Breathable T-shirts (ideally made of technical material): to stay dry during physical activities.
- Lightweight fleece jackets or sweatshirts: for cool mornings or evenings.
- Waterproof windproof jacket: essential in case of rain or wind.
- Hiking pants (avoid jeans): comfortable and allow for movement.
- Shorts or bermudas: for hot days.
- Spare clothes: enough for the duration of the stay.
- Hiking shoes: with good grip for varied trails.
- Hiking sandals or water shoes: for water activities such as canoeing and kayaking.
- Light shoes or flip-flops: for relaxing moments in accommodation.
- Cap or hat: to protect oneself from the sun.
- Swimsuit: for swimming in rivers or pools.
- Hiking socks: comfortable and breathable.
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- ✅ A 100% identical offer: Same dates, same services, same sales conditions.
- ✅ A public and accessible price: The offer must be proposed by a French professional website, in euros.
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- You pay a 30% deposit today to reserve your stay.
- The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
- ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.