The Sologne region, which has a surface area of 500,000ha, is traversed by three major rivers (the Sauldre, the Beuvron and the Cosson) and three quarters of its terrain is covered with vast forests and ponds. For centuries, this was an undiscovered, isolated, malarial land. Although it could not be used for farming due to its infertile soil, the region boasted many attractions. It was not until the time of Napoleon III that the Sologne, having progressively opened up, really found favour.