Rambling

Various exploratory routes can be suggested by the local tourist offices, or you can, of course, create your own. The following are some of the more popular recommended walking trails: a 1½ hour walk around Gournay-en-Bray; an educational ramble around the Gournay-en-Bray area; an educational trail around Neufchâtel-en-Bray; an itinerary in the Forêt d'Eawy, Bellencombre and its surroundings; a tour between Bray and Petit Caux, Londinières and their surroundings; a walk from La Varenne to "the Buttonhole", the fort of La Cuesta, Saint-Saëns and its surroundings; a cheese route, Neufchâtel-en-Bray and its surroundings; an exploration of springs and hedgerows, Forges-les-Eaux and its surroundings; an itinerary through the Forêt de Lyons and along the Andelle valley, La Feuillie and its surroundings; a tour of hedgerows in the Epte valley, Gournay-en-Bray and its surroundings. In addition, the Rambling Centre in Le Pays du Beauvais offers a choice of walks around lakes and forests, including 135 kilometres of pedestrian trails (as well as 370 kilometres of mountain bike trails). Accompanied walks with guided commentaries are available from La Feuillie, to discover wild flowers and particularly the famous Bray orchids.

One of the best ways of seeing any region, and no less so the Pays de Bray, is to walk or ramble through it. There are many enjoyable walks directly from LE CHAT CHOCOLAT or starting from further afield - try taking pot luck. Whichever direction you head off in will take you through verdant countryside dotted with delightful traditional barns and farmhouses. Although not, of course, quite as replete with châteaux as the Loire Valley

Perhaps you would care to try an educational walk in Le Forêt d'Eawy, learning about its flora, fauna and the richness of its history, archaeology and ethnology, following a sign-posted trail. Or how about the Ecological Trail of the Little Goat? This will take you through the Bois de L'Epinay at Forges-les-Eaux, a departmental preservation area where you will find the original backdrop of peat bogs and springs along 4 sign-posted trails with a leafleted commentary.

(but much easier to get to!), Normandy nevertheless also offers the opportunity to spot some lovely old châteaux - indeed, there is a magnificent one - Le Château de Bray - situated opposite LE CHAT CHOCOLAT and visible from our garden.