The best traffic-free bike rides around Bazoches-Sur-Le-Betz

Very pleasant walk.

Saint Hilaire was a bishop in Poitiers. Quite a badass, he was highly respected and admired in his time. And his fame made him chosen after his death as Patron Saint until now.

This model is rare and therefore expensive. A beautiful and quite surprising work in a country church.

Spacious and practical room for a last-minute bivouac. Ask the priest to use it.

Ferrières-en-Gâtinais, located on the edge of the Gâtinais bocage, in the Cléry valley, is a city whose name evokes the presence of iron ore with mines that were exploited until the 18th century. This ore would be at the origin of the first development of the city during the Gallic period. However, it is the presence of a powerful abbey founded here by Clovis and placed under the direct authority of the Pope that made the site famous. At its height, in the Middle Ages, the monastery experienced immense spiritual influence, thanks to its scriptorium (copyists' workshop) and its trading post in the Bay of Canche, in Normandy, which enabled it to trade with the British Isles. Its area of influence extends for hundreds of kilometers and the abbey is home to many popes, kings and queens of France. During the Revolution, however, the monks were dispersed and monastic life died out. The buildings are sold as national assets and partly destroyed. The two churches, now classified as Historic Monuments, are saved by their assignment to parish worship. From this glorious past, Ferrières en Gâtinais retains many traces in the old historic town. Note the presence of a drinking water tap next to the creperie near the porch marking one of the entrances to the enclosure which once protected the abbey.

There are only a few of this architecture in France, it remains one of the most remarkable with that of Milly-la Forêt. The construction of the hall, which initially had 8 bays and no south gable, dates back to the end of the 15th century. It followed a first work destroyed by the fire of the village in 1282. The frame whose base is in oak initially rested on the ground which, by humidity, damaged the wood. In 1666, it was necessary to remove a span to build the south gable in masonry, to install transverse and longitudinal oblique reinforcements and to rest the 28 feet on stone plinths (again replaced in 1769). During 2003, it underwent a complete restoration which made it possible to reestablish some truths about its construction and put an end to the legend which attributed its construction to Anne de Pisseleu in 1540 with a chestnut frame explaining the absence of cobwebs. It still houses the Monday morning market.

Here we find the village church. It dates from the first half of the 12th century and was altered many times, notably in the 16th century. She deserves a visit!

This church deserves a visit for its architecture and its magnificent stained glass windows. Inside, there are sometimes quite interesting exhibits. You will also find a model of the city in miniature.