Discover Maray through several distinct highlights: a walking trail in the south of the Sologne, horse-related activities at Arcadie Production, and works of art in the parish church of Saint-Aignan. Also worth exploring are the landscaped park of Domaine de la Plaudière and the annual Foire ancestrale. When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what brings you here: would you like to spend your time outdoors, with horses, exploring sacred art, or around an event in September? The options differ mainly in duration and how closely they depend on dates—from an estimated walk lasting several hours to an annual festival held on a set day.
Walking Trail and Landscape
The “MARAY – Chemin de l’Étang” walking trail starts at Place de la Mairie and forms a loop of about 14 kilometres in the south of the Sologne. The route description, updated on 23 December 2024, follows the Étang de Maray; the pond is designated a natural site. The walk is classified as easy and is estimated to take 3 hours and 30 minutes. Difficulty and time required answer different planning questions: the rating describes how challenging the route is, while its length and duration give you a practical sense of the time involved. Plan the loop as a longer activity, and check the latest route information before setting out.
At Domaine de la Plaudière, avenues and walking paths are part of a protected 10-hectare English-style landscaped park. While the walking trail is described as a route with a specified distance, the paths in the park offer a different landscape for a stroll. Access arrangements can change, so check them before visiting.
Experience Horses
Arcadie Production offers several ways to enjoy horses. Its 60-hectare site in Maray offers riding lessons, riding courses and an equestrian tourism centre. The options range from instruction to equestrian tourism. As schedules and booking conditions may change, check them before making plans.
The Musée du Cheval is located at the Arcadie Production site in Maray. Visitors can see and touch the animals up close, and watch them move freely and in the arena. Unlike riding lessons or courses, the focus here is on seeing and directly experiencing the animals. This is a practical distinction to consider when choosing between the activities: lessons and courses involve riding, while the museum offers an encounter with and the chance to observe the horses.
Artworks and a Set Date in September
The parish church of Saint-Aignan contains several specific, identifiable works of art. These include a polychrome wooden crucifix dating from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, which was listed as a protected cultural object on 6 December 1973. A group of figures depicting Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary was also listed as a protected cultural object on that date. The painting “Montée au Calvaire” is also in the church. Together, these works offer art-minded travellers several points of interest, from the crucifix’s material and date to the saints depicted and a painting with its own title.
The Foire ancestrale de Maray offers a reason to visit on a specific date. It takes place every year on the second Saturday in September and brings together shops and a variety of activities. Unlike the walk, whose estimated duration gives you a timeframe, the calendar date is key when planning a visit to the fair. If you are arranging your stay around the Foire, check the date and programme for the relevant year before planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Thenay, Angé, Saint-Denis-Sur-Loire, Vievy-Le-Rayé, Chaumont-Sur-Tharonne, Blois, Mer, Mont-Près-Chambord
For the broader travel overview: Loir-Et-Cher.
