15. Gien in Sully-sur-Loire

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This stage takes you away from the Loire River to enter a beautiful forest with ponds in a picturesque setting. You can reduce this stage by 31 km with a stop at Dampierre-en-Burly located 18 km from Gien.

This day begins with a stroll on the banks of the Loire River to then enter a forest full of game that alternates with vast ponds and the castle of Verdier in its clearing awaits you. The castle cannot be visited, but this hunting lodge deserves a break before discovering the fortress of Dampierre-en-Burly. Finish your stopover by walking on the dyke of the Loire River with the silhouette of the majestic Sully castle on the left bank.

3 points of interest

Pavillon d’entrée du Château de Dampierre-en-Burly - Amis de saint Colomban
Tourist
Dampierre-en-Burly Castle
The castle cannot be visited and is not visible from the entrance pavilion.
The entrance pavilion is the only remaining part of the 17th century castle. The main body has a main stone facade and a rear facade of stone and brick without decoration. In the middle of the latter, in a chimney stump is a clock which has often been referred to as the "Pavillon de l'Horloge" (Clock Pavilion). On the ground floor there is a brick vaulted passageway with stone arches and lunettes side penetrations. On each side of the main body, small pavilions in annexes. The whole has not been altered.
Source of information: Base Mérimée
Coucher de soleil sur le château de Sully-sur-Loire - Amis de saint Colomban
Historical
The castle of Sully-sur-Loire
This castle is the first of a long series that will accompany you throughout your peregrination on the banks of the Loire.
Rare are the castles which underwent as many architectural modifications as that of Sully-sur-Loire. The first traces of the castle were reported in 1102, it was then a defensive post on the left bank of the Loire.
In 1218, Philippe Auguste took advantage of a disagreement between the lord of the place and the bishop to briefly seize the place and build an imposing cylindrical tower, unfortunately disappeared. After a devastating flood in 1363, the castle changed family in the name of the marriage of the sole heiress to Guy de La Trémoïlle. The latter embarked on a major renovation project and asked the architect of the king and the Louvre, Raymond du Temple, to draw up new plans.
At that time, Joan of Arc stayed in Sully twice to visit King Charles VII, who was visiting the castle. From the 18th century, the castle of Sully-sur-Loire was the subject of many destructions and reconstructions that in turn changed its appearance.
To visit the castle of Sully-sur-Loire
Église-collégiale St-Ythier de Sully-sur-Loire - Amis de saint Colomban
Tourist
Saint-Ythier collegiate church in Sully-sur-Loire
Originally located in the forecourt of the castle, the collegiate church of Saint-Ythier was a seigneurial church served by the monks of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire, to whom it was granted in 1137, then as a collegiate church in 1193. In 1608, Sully (of Protestant religion) had it dismantled and rebuilt on its present site.
The name of Saint Ythier remains attached to a miraculous navigation, because his remains were entrusted to the waves in a light boat that landed at Dampierre-en-Burly.
Inside, 16th century stained glass windows and 18th century furniture.
Place Maurice de Sully
Maurice de Sully was born around 1120 in Sully. The son of a peasant, he takes his name from the time when citizens who had no name were named after their hometown. After becoming a canon, he became bishop of Paris in 1160. He decided the construction of Notre-Dame de Paris and began work in 1163. His statue is displayed above the entrance porch of the church.

Description

Leave the church of Gien and head towards the quays of the Loire, take the stairs in front of the church. Cross the car park of the Lenoir quay, on the right following the Loire river, quai Lestrade, stay on the Loire river bank on the left quai Guerin.

After 1200m, first on the left, chemin du Val, continue on the dirt road following the Loire, take the second road on the right.
Turn right on the tarmac road then first left, Route de la Borde, cross the D 953 route d'Ouzouer, continue on Route de la Borde.
Les Amyots stay on the asphalt road, continue on a dirt track, turn left into the forest, cross the D 952, take the dirt track, always straight ahead.
After 3,100 m, clearing of Château Verdier turn left.
After 1,200 m and the fork in the path to the right take the path on the left, pass under the high-voltage lines and take the path on the right, straight ahead.
Pass under the high-voltage lines at the crossroads, straight ahead then go along a field, crossroads D 56 turn left then turn right in the direction of Dampierre-en-Burly.
Fourth street on the right, route de Corcambon, second street on the left, rue d'En Bas and take the footbridge on your right to cross the pond, turn left and follow the edge of the village pond until the D 952. Turn right then first left into the housing estate, Chemin des Grands Moulins.
After 1 300 m. turn left then cross the D 953, Chemin de Villaine, first street on the left then first on the right, you are on the dyke of the Loire at 2 800 m. take the path on the edge of the Loire to avoid walking on the D 119 which follows the dyke.
Cross the Loire at the bridge of Sully-sur-Loire, straight ahead, avenue de Béthune, rue du Grand sully you arrive at place Maurice Sully in front of the church.

Departure : Sainte-Jeanne-d ’Arc Church, 5 Place du Château, 45500 Gien
Arrival : Saint-Ythier Church, Place Maurice Sully, 45600-Sully-sur-Loire
Towns crossed : Centre-Val de Loire