Espace Naturel Départemental : Le Sentier du Héron

At the heart of the town of Breteuil lies a pond and wetland where walkers, sports enthusiasts and fishermen meet. The pond is bordered by woodland and meadows, home to numerous bird species. QR codes punctuate the trail, providing educational and entertaining information on the flora and fauna around you.
The public garden was donated to the town by Charlotte de Buhorel around 1920. The garden is criss-crossed by beautiful tree-lined paths, sheltering a vast 7-hectare pond with shady banks dotted with peninsulas. Abundant flora and fauna colonize the banks, which have been classified Natura 2000 and a Sensitive Nature Area. A few 19th-century agreement structures are still visible.
Every year, grey herons take up residence on the site. They have established a superb heronry in the treetops surrounding the ruins of the Breteuil castral site. This 11th-century site is a landmark in Breton history. A feudal castle built by William the Conqueror, it comprised two enclosures, a keep, dwellings and outbuildings. Many kings of France stayed in the castle before it was dismantled in 1378 by order of Charles V. Visits to the castral site are by appointment only for groups (02 32 67 88 18 Mairie) or during the Journées du Patrimoine.