FOLLOW THE HOOPOE ASSOCIATION
The Boischaut is a beautiful natural region in southern Berry, located between the Paris Basin and the Massif Central. Over time, rivers, farming and livestock breeding have shaped a characteristic hedgerow landscape (bocage) made up of meadows, hedges, woodlands and sunken paths. This area illustrates the harmony that can exist between nature and human activity — a precious balance, especially today as biodiversity continues to decline. Yet the preservation of the bocage remains fragile, and knowledge of this landscape is gradually being lost.
In response, several communes of the Boischaut region, recognised as Territories Engaged for Nature, decided to showcase the natural richness of their environment alongside their local heritage. They created educational facilities and discovery trails accessible to all, choosing the silhouette of the Eurasian hoopoe, an emblematic bird of these landscapes, to guide visitors through their explorations.
In southern Cher, the communes of Marçais, La Celle, Saint-Vitte and Touchay first joined forces to promote their natural and rural heritage. After completing their Local Biodiversity Inventory (IBC), each commune received the Territory Engaged for Nature (TEN) label awarded by the Regional Biodiversity Agency. From this collective initiative emerged the “Follow the Hoopoe” project, a network of trails marked with interpretation panels and information boards inviting walkers and hikers to discover landscapes, wildlife, flora and local heritage.
In 2026, the communes of Chambon, Épineuil-le-Fleuriel and Orval joined the association and are now developing their own educational trails. These new routes will expand the existing network, offering opportunities to discover other landscapes of the Boischaut while further promoting the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
At the heart of each village, a welcome panel and map guide visitors towards places to explore. Simply look for the hoopoe symbol and follow the waymarking to discover natural environments including hedgerows, meadows, wetlands, rivers, forests and farmland. Along the routes, interpretation panels provide insight into local species, landscapes and the history of the villages.
Supported by naturalist organisations, local associations and many volunteers, the project has been largely funded through the European LEADER programme, dedicated to rural development. This collective initiative aims to raise awareness of the landscapes of the Boischaut, encourage biodiversity conservation and promote a gentle, immersive way of discovering the region.
Along the trails, Follow the Hoopoe offers a true invitation to observe, explore and reconnect with nature. Whether you are a hiker, a visitor passing through or a local resident, these routes invite you to discover the villages of southern Cher from a new perspective, appreciate the harmony between people and nature, and better understand the richness of a living heritage worth preserving.
