Presly: Trails, Landscape and Architectural History

Presly is a village in the Sologne region, with forests, heathland, plains, meadows, ponds and streams. Its extensive municipal trails and architectural history, which spans from a medieval fortification to a 20th-century church, complete the picture. This offers two specific themes to consider when planning your trip: trails and nature, as well as architecture and church history.

Landscape and Nature in Presly

The landscape includes 7,500 hectares of forest as well as heathland, plains, meadows, ponds and streams. The municipal trails extend for a total of 70 kilometres. The Rère is also directly connected to the area: it rises in Presly and is a tributary of the Sauldre. Forests, open spaces and waterways thus form distinct elements of the landscape.

To date, 134 bird species have been recorded in Presly. Further records may add to this tally. The figure gives nature enthusiasts a specific point of reference for the local birdlife, without suggesting that the inventory is complete.

Trails Between Les Sablons and the D30

The trail between Les Sablons and the road to Neuvy/Barangeon (D30) passes through young forests and woodlands, forestry clear-cut areas, conifer stands, cultivated fields and wetlands. Several circular routes are possible. The trail description therefore covers more than a single type of landscape: woodland sections and fields are interspersed with wetlands, while the forestry areas offer another glimpse of the surroundings.

For the first 500 metres of this trail, some white stones contain fossils. They are considered evidence of a very ancient sea in the Sologne. If you are interested in the geological interpretation of the landscape, this short section offers a distinct point of interest along the route.

One specific longer route is the Presly–Méry-es-Bois circular hike, listed as 27.0 kilometres long and taking about four hours; it is rated easy. This named loop can therefore be distinguished from the circular routes available in general: the Presly–Méry-es-Bois route has a stated distance, difficulty rating and approximate duration.

Churches and Château History

The Église Saint-Caprais stands on the foundations of an earlier church dating from the 13th century. The present building was reconstructed in the early 20th century on the initiative of Abbé Pézard. It is built entirely of brick, a traditional building material characteristic of the Sologne. A stained-glass window from 1931, created by the Lorin workshops in Chartres, is dedicated to Saint Caprais. The building’s history, materials and window each give the church its own historical significance.

The Château de la Planche tells a different architectural story: it comprises a small 14th-century fortification and a new château dating from the 18th century. The château is privately owned and not open to visitors. This restriction is important to bear in mind when planning to see Presly’s historic buildings.

L’Angélus is open to the public during Sunday and weekday Masses. If you are planning a visit, bear this schedule in mind and check the relevant Mass times in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ennordres, Sancerre, Sainte-Solange, Neuvy-Sur-Barangeon, Colombiers, Ardenais, Massay, Le Noyer.

For the broader travel overview: Cher.