Maray: Culture, Horses and Trails

For a stay in Maray, culture, horses and outdoor trails offer different ways to explore the area. These include the annual Foire ancestrale, artworks in the parish church of Saint-Aignan and the Musée du Cheval at the Arcadie Production site. For walkers, the “MARAY – Chemin de l’Étang” trail follows a route along the Étang de Maray. Each of these themes can be included separately in your travel plans.

Walking and scenery

The “MARAY – Chemin de l’Étang” trail starts at Place de la Mairie in Maray and is an approximately 14-kilometre loop in the south of Sologne. It passes along the Étang de Maray, which is a designated natural site. The walk is estimated to take 3 hours and 30 minutes and is classified as easy. This makes it suitable to plan as a half-day activity; the starting point, distance and estimated duration provide practical guidance.

The Domaine de la Plaudière includes a protected English-style landscape park covering 10 hectares. The grounds also feature avenues and walking paths. If you plan to visit the park, check the current access arrangements in advance, as they may change. This makes the park a separate planning option alongside the walk by the Étang de Maray, without combining the two into a single route.

Art and heritage in Maray

The parish church of Saint-Aignan houses a polychrome wooden crucifix dating from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. It was listed as a protected cultural object on 6 December 1973. The church also houses a group of figures depicting Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary, which was listed as a protected cultural object on the same date. The two works offer a glimpse of different depictions and materials.

The painting “Montée au Calvaire” is also in the parish church. Together, the crucifix, group of figures and painting offer different points of interest for culturally minded travellers: a polychrome wooden work, a group of figures depicting named saints and a painting with its own title.

Horses and activities at Arcadie Production

The Musée du Cheval is located at the Arcadie Production site in Maray. Visitors can get close to and touch the animals, and watch them move freely and in the arena. The museum offers a different way to explore the world of horses from the riding activities also available on the site.

The 60-hectare Arcadie Production site offers riding lessons, riding courses and an equestrian tourism centre. The programme may change; if you plan to take part in a specific activity, check dates and booking conditions in advance. This helps you distinguish between a museum visit and the various riding activities rather than treating them as a single programme.

The Foire ancestrale de Maray

The Foire ancestrale de Maray takes place every year on the second Saturday in September. It brings together shops and a wide range of activities. Its fixed annual date makes it a clearly defined event to consider when planning your trip. If the fair is important to your stay, plan around the second Saturday in September; for specific event details, it is advisable to check before travelling.

Local attractions differ in their timing and the kind of experience they offer: the fair takes place annually on a set date, an estimated walking time is given for the trail, and the Arcadie Production programme may change. Bear these differences in mind when coordinating your travel dates with the activities you want to enjoy and looking for a hotel in Maray.

Discover more destinations

Saint-Georges-Sur-Cher, Souvigny-En-Sologne, Feings, Montrouveau, Lamotte-Beuvron, Chémery, Pouillé, Fossé

For the main travel overview: Loir-Et-Cher.