Vallon Du Maupas

Vallon du Maupas is a forest biological reserve in the commune of Cheillé, in the Indre-et-Loire department of France's Centre-Val de Loire region. The reserve lies within the extensive Forêt de Chinon and covers roughly 183 hectares of varied terrain, centered on a valley carved into the surrounding plateau, with steep slopes and a damp valley floor.

What kind of protected area is Vallon du Maupas?

The site was designated a "réserve biologique dirigée" (directed biological reserve) on 11 July 2000 — a category used in French state forests for areas where active conservation measures are applied to protect specific species or habitats. On 19 June 2020, the status was upgraded to a "réserve biologique mixte" (mixed biological reserve), combining a strictly protected core zone with sections managed through targeted conservation work. The reserve is administered by the Office National des Forêts (ONF), the French national forestry office responsible for managing and protecting state-owned forests.

Where exactly is the Maupas valley located?

Vallon du Maupas sits within the commune of Cheillé, in the heart of the Forêt de Chinon, a short distance south of the Loire Valley and the town of Chinon, well known for its castle and vineyards. Its coordinates are roughly 47.237 N, 0.427 E. The Forêt de Chinon is one of the larger forest complexes in the Centre-Val de Loire region, and the Maupas valley forms a distinctive feature within it: a ravine cut into the plateau, where conditions stay noticeably cooler and damper than on the surrounding land.

Why was this area given protected status?

Biological reserves in French state forests exist to preserve fragments of forest ecosystems in something close to a natural state, or to safeguard habitats that are particularly sensitive to standard forestry operations. In ravine-type landscapes like Vallon du Maupas, the terrain itself is the key factor: steep slopes and a moist valley bottom favor the persistence of older stands, deadwood, and microhabitats that are otherwise scarce in actively managed forest. The "mixed" status adopted in 2020 allows the reserve to combine no-intervention zones with areas where limited, targeted management continues where local ecological needs call for it.

What can visitors do here?

The Maupas valley and the surrounding Forêt de Chinon are a popular destination for walkers. Several waymarked hiking trails run through and around the reserve, used both by locals and by visitors exploring the wider Loire Valley. Walking through the valley reveals a landscape typical of this part of France — mixed deciduous woodland, varied topography, and a quiet setting away from the region's better-known tourist sites. Because of the site's protected status, visitors are encouraged to stick to marked paths rather than venture off-trail, especially in the most strictly protected sections.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vallon du Maupas a national park? No — it is a biological reserve within a state-owned forest, managed by the ONF, not a national park in its own right.

How large is the reserve? It covers approximately 183 hectares.

Can visitors walk through it? Yes, the area is open to walkers along marked trails, as with other parts of the Forêt de Chinon, though visitors should respect the protected zones and avoid leaving the paths.

How do you get to Vallon du Maupas? The reserve is located in the commune of Cheillé, close to Chinon, within easy reach of the Loire Valley. The most convenient way to reach it is by car, using local roads that run through the Forêt de Chinon.