Yèvres: Ozanne, Hiking Trails and Heritage

The Ozanne River flows through Yèvres. Numerous walking and hiking trails, Notre-Dame Church and the military cemetery offer different ways to spend your time here. There are also horse-riding activities and a circular trail linking riverbanks, fields and meadows. You can plan your time in Yèvres according to your interests—whether you mainly want to explore the outdoors or learn about the town’s history.

Hiking and discovering the Ozanne

The circular trail “Yèvres – Sur les rives de l'Ozanne” is 15.5 kilometres long and rated moderate. It is estimated to take around 3 hours and 30 minutes. The trail starts below Notre-Dame Church and is marked in yellow. It passes through fields and meadows and follows the banks of the Ozanne. You may encounter hares, partridges and coots along the way.

The distance, difficulty level and estimated duration provide different points of reference for planning your day. Fishing is also possible along the riverbanks in Yèvres. Hiking and fishing are two different ways to experience the countryside around the Ozanne; the signposted circular trail offers a route described in detail.

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 established by decree on 15 February 1988. Its furnishings include interior sculptures by Breton artist Charles Roscoët, a monumental pulpit and a chasuble cabinet containing a significant collection of ecclesiastical vestments. The building’s history and furnishings offer visitors different historical and artistic points of interest.

The military cemetery commemorates soldiers who fell in the First World War from 1914 to 1918. Four soldiers from Yèvres lie there side by side. The military cemetery is near the cemetery shelter and opposite the graves of two Allied soldiers. They died when their aircraft crashed on the night of 28–29 July 1944.

More activities and places to visit

The Ferme Équestre du Grand Épinay in Yèvres offers horseback rides, riding lessons, pony rides for beginners and horseback archery. Dates and programmes may change; check in advance what will be available during your visit.

The Aire de l'Ozanne is next to the town centre and has eight shaded picnic tables. Nearby in Brou, a weekly market has been held every Wednesday since at least the 12th century. Market times may change, so check the date before planning a visit.

A wider-ranging option is the tourist route of the châteaux of Perche Gouet. This 97-kilometre circular route starts in Yèvres and includes 16 stages. Check route conditions and signposting before setting out.

Getting there and planning

For travel via the A11, there are access points near Yèvres at Illiers-Combray and Luigny; both are around 15 kilometres away. This information for planning a road journey is separate from planning the hike, for which an estimated duration is provided. If you are looking for a hotel in Yèvres, the area’s different attractions—hiking trails, heritage or horse-riding activities—can help you plan your trip around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Voves, Ardelu, Moléans, Coudray-au-Perche, Saint-Denis-d'Authou, Champagne, Bailleau-L'évêque, La Loupe.

For the regional travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.