Hiking around the lakes of the 'Forêt d'Orient'

Right in the midst of a regional nature park, this 100% nature walking trail takes you deep into the forest and to the banks of vast lakes full of water birds.

The starting point for this hiking trail is the park visitor centre, in a former 16th century Troyes farmhouse with a traditional Champagne region timber frame. It was dismantled and rebuilt in the forest and is now the Forêt d’Orient park headquarters, together with documentation and exhibition centre. From here, walkers have two options. They can start the loop in a clockwise direction to discover the lakes first, or the opposite to visit the forests.The latter option means walking through the imposing Temple state forest. The name comes from the famous monk-soldiers of the Knights Templar and the founder of the order who came from here. The area is also the realm of salamanders, small black and yellow amphibians that proliferate in these parts. The trail leaves the forest for Unienville and its lakes cherished by carp fishermen. Next, is Dienville, with a marina and beach that opens out directly onto Lake Amance. Dienville is renowned throughout Europe as the home for powerboating, where people come to jet ski and water ski. This is the only part of the lake where motorboats are allowed. The town also has a lovely stone-built corn exchange and is the end point for the Vélovoie des Lacs bike trail that follows the large stretches of water, all the way from Troyes.The bike trail runs along the flood banks, around Lake Amance, to a bird observatory at Radonvilliers, where you can admire almost three-hundred different species, especially the iconic Common Crane. It’s also worth taking a small detour to Mathaux to visit its amazing half-timber church. The path then heads back to the bike trail, where you can see the Forêt d’Orient national nature reserve, in the middle of the Lac du Temple. Before you return to the park visitor centre, you should stop in at the Lac d’Orient bird observatory, where you can gaze at thousands of ducks in the autumn. In the summer, you’ve just got to visit the nearby wildlife park, with its herds of deer, Aurochs, Elk, Bison and Tarpan wild horses.