The Three Rivers Hike
Departure from Épinay-sur-Orge (Essonne)
Hike around Epinay sur Orge (a small town south of Paris) from the train station of the RER C.
It follows paths and quiet streets, heads through Bois des Templiers and follows the courses of three rivers: the Orge, the Rouillon and the Yvette. A trail through the Bois des Templiers with views of an old stone bridge with three arches of the ancient Templar Commandery of the eleventh century.
Bièvre Valley - Château de Versailles
Departure from Igny (Essonne) (Essonne)
Hike connecting Igny (Essonne) to the Palace of Versailles. The route follows the Bievre, and 80% of the route is on roads through forests. A calm, cool walk with scenery that will leave you with a unique souvenir.
The Viaduc des Fauvettes and the Forêt de Gif-sur-Yvette
Departure from Bures-sur-Yvette (Essonne)
A walk of many faces! On forest tracks interspersed with paths through the city, you follow an old railway line with a tunnel and viaduct, finishing along the course of the river Yvette. A walk to enjoy at any time of year.
The Tête Ronde Forest and Saint-Aubin Wood
Departure from Villiers-le-Bâcle (Essonne)
A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.
Parks and gardens along the Yerres
Departure from Crosne (Essonne)
This walk starts in Crosne, goes through the Grange Forest and then through the town of Yerres before reaching Park Caillebotte where the painter lived. The walk goes along the Yerres River and finishes by going alongside the communal gardens in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.
Mills and Menhirs along the river Yerres
Departure from Brunoy (Essonne)
This hike mostly takes place along the Yerres, a tributary of the Seine, and also includes a section in the Forest of Senart and an urban section. There you can enjoy the charm of this river and the beautiful houses around it, admire two ancient watermills and come cross no fewer than four standing stones along the way.
Le Quartier Latin and Sainte-Geneviève Mountain
Departure from Paris
Le Quartier Latin is a labyrinth of streets, each as important as the next, as there is a strong history behind. The Sainte-Geneviève Mountain is home to several prestigious schools, and the presence of numerous students adds to the atmosphere of this magnificent suburb.
On the French Revolution routes in the heart of Paris
Departure from Paris
An urban circular walk in search of the French Revolution routes in two Parisian sites: the Bastille, whose capture had a very strong symbolic impact, and the Odéon suburb, where several key figures of the period lived, worked and gathered, including Marat and Danton. It's also an opportunity to discover the signs of other insurrectionary episodes (July 1830, May 1968) and a superb heritage ranging from the Gallo-Roman to the Middle Ages period.
In the Chevreuse Valley
Departure from Chevreuse (Yvelines)
A beautiful hike to discover the beautiful sights of the Chevreuse valley: the Chatillonmill, the castle of Dampierre, the blacksmith’s, the villages of Fourcherolles, Senlisse and Choisel, Méridon castle, the village of Chevreuse and its small bridges along the Yvette, and Château de la Madeleine.
From Porte Dauphine to Bercy
Departure from Paris
A walk through Paris exploring the Left Bank and its quartiers.
Following the Bièvre river through Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in Igny
Departure from Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Yvelines)
The upstream part of this series of three hikes devoted to the Bièvre river. A very pleasant walk along the river and its bodies of water, in a mostly rural setting. A hike from station to station, which can be used to adjust the length depending on the weather conditions or desires of the hikers.
The Roselière (reed beds) of Maincourt
Departure from Lévis-Saint-Nom (Yvelines)
At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Natural Park, a hike that allows you to wander through a protected natural site with a trail laid out by the Park. In the Bois de Maincourt, one can see ancient sandstone quarries. The course of the river Yvette, which the trail follows on the way back, finally allows a patrimonial approach with old mills and old washhouses.
The Dourdan via Ouye abbey
Departure from Dourdan (Essonne)
A lovely woodland walk with a cultural touch.
Hike in Fontainebleau forest: a tour of the Apremont Gorges
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Fontainebleau forest is one of the most beautiful French forests thanks to its varied landscapes and, in particular, its sandstone blocks. This hike circles the Apremont gorges along the Colinet-Denecourt path N°6 and lets you enjoy it in all its beauty and fragility, the latter due both to natural erosion and human use, and is near the Paris region.
Les Gorges de Franchard and l'Antre des Druides
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
Starting from an old retreat which has been visited since the 11th century, this hike allows you to explore the Gorges de Franchard and the surrounding areas. Winding through rocks and several rock shelters such as the well-known Antre des Druides.
N.B. The difference in altitude is probably higher than stated: roughly 100 metres and a 2 hour walk.
The Rocher du Long Boyau and the Gorges du Houx
Departure from Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
From the Ermitage de Franchard, this is a very varied hike which will take you past old sandstone quarries, the Gorges du Houx and the charming Mare aux Pigeons. On the route are several vast viewing points, numerous spectacular rocks and the curious Grotte du Serment cave.
N.B. The elevation and the time shown appear to be under-estimated: count on about 250 meters and 4 hours of walking.