Vaupillon: Nature, hiking trails and local history

Vaupillon brings together three travel interests: protected nature, named routes and the history of a former parish. This offers different perspectives for planning a trip. For the hiking trails, the focus is on distance, trail markings and route; the protected area and habitat types provide a distinct framework for exploring nature. The name “La Trinité des Bois” also leads into the history of a former parish that included Vaupillon and two other communes.

Protected natural area and habitats

Vaupillon is one of the communes included in the special protected area “Cuesta cénomanienne du Perche d'Eure-et-Loir.” The protected area covers 350 ha and was designated by the founding decree of 13 April 2007. The 350 ha correspond to 3.5 km² and refer to the protected area as a whole; they should not be understood as the size of the commune of Vaupillon. Vaupillon is one of the communes included in this protected area.

Three Natura 2000 habitat types are designated for the Petit Moulin area in Vaupillon: hygrophilous tall-herb communities of the lowland and colline zones (6430), Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with holly and yew in the understorey (9120), and oak-hornbeam forests (9160). “Hygrophilous” describes a moisture-loving tall-herb community; “lowland” and “colline” refer to the corresponding zones. In the beech-forest type, both the soil and Atlantic characteristics are part of the designation, as are holly and yew in the understorey. The third name describes a forest type with oaks and hornbeams. Alongside the general protected-area designation, these specific habitat types offer a more nuanced way to explore nature in Petit Moulin.

Hiking trails and distances

The “La Trinité des bois” circular hiking trail is 13.5 km long, recognized by the Eure-et-Loir Departmental Hiking Committee and marked in yellow. The distance describes the circular trail; the marking is a separate navigation aid. Check the yellow markings locally before setting off.

A route description updated on 23 December 2024 lists the La Loupe–Saint-Victor-de-Buthon hiking trail as 10 km long and takes it in the direction of the village of Vaupillon. At 10 km, this route is 3.5 km shorter than the “La Trinité des bois” circular hiking trail. This makes it easy to compare the distances; the direction given toward the village also differs from its classification as a circular trail.

The “Vallées et fermes fortifiées” quiet route also passes through Vaupillon. Its French title translates as “Valleys and fortified farms.” It complements the circular hiking trail and the 10 km hiking trail with another named route whose passage through Vaupillon is explicitly described.

The name La Trinité des Bois

The former parish, which included Saint-Éliph, Vaupillon and La Loupe, was called “La Trinité des Bois.” The circular hiking trail is called “La Trinité des bois,” a similar name. Here, the name appears in two different contexts: as the former parish name for several communes and as the name of a hiking trail. The parish places Vaupillon, Saint-Éliph and La Loupe in a shared historical context; the circular trail offers a separate connection to trip planning and hiking.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bérou-La-Mulotière, Ouarville, Manou, Saint-Arnoult-Des-Bois, Luisant, Courtalain, Thiron Gardais, Saint-Jean-de-Rebervilliers.

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