FTALLON

This route allows us to discover the role of the River Eure in life in days gone by: economically, with the mills; in everyday life, with the numerous wash houses; and historically, with Maintenon Castle and the Vauban Aqueduct in Maintenon. All this whilst passing through pretty villages.

This route, running alongside the Loing Canal from Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne to Montcourt-Fromonville, is a real feast for the eyes, set against a serene waterside backdrop. Swans, grey herons, cormorants and moorhens all add to this sense of tranquillity.

A very pleasant route that combines rural landscapes adorned with yellow when the rapeseed is in bloom and wooded, green landscapes along the Juine. And then, as you pass by, discover the watercress beds in Méréville and ride along what was once a Roman road to Saclas.

Discover the ponds and pools that dot this route in the Rambouillet Forest. The private pond at Château de l'Artoire, visible from the road; Étang du Moulin des Roches; the waterfalls and rocks at Vaux de Cernay; the private pond at Les Hogues, visible from the road; Étang de la Tour; Étang de Coupe-Gorge; the ponds at Vilpert; and the ponds at Hollande.

An immersion in part of the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park, nicknamed the ‘land of a thousand clearings and sandstone’. A variety of landscapes – forests, valleys and rugged sandstone formations – criss-crossed by the rivers Juine, Essonne and École, punctuate this exploration.

Explore the Canal du Midi, with its locks, structures and other engineering works designed to facilitate navigation. This circular route follows the greenway from Seuil de Naurouze to Montgiscard – Le Pradelot.

This is a very pleasant route, presenting no particular difficulties, through this part of the Rambouillet State Forest: the Bois de l’Épars. The woodland consists of oak trees as well as a few pine groves, which give off that delightful scent of pine mixed with the dampness of the humus.

A total immersion in the Dourdan State Forest, where oak is the dominant tree species. There are also chestnut, ash, beech and birch trees. In some sandy areas, these are replaced by pine trees. The legend of Sainte-Mesme and the medieval heritage of Dourdan.

In winter, the Rambouillet Forest lies dormant; the trees are bare, there is little birdsong, and calm reigns. A pheasant takes flight, a buzzard keeps watch from the top of a post, and swans and great egrets rest on the calm waters of the Corbet and Pourras ponds, sheltered amongst the reeds.

A wonderful way to explore the Compiègne State Forest, combined with historical sites along the route. The cycle paths are very pleasant and easy to ride on, with easy access to historical sites that are very close to the route.

A walk mainly through fields south of Briis-sous-Forges. This route starts in Briis-sous-Forges and passes close to Vaugrigneuse. It is an easy route.

This walk combines nature – with the Rambouillet Forest, the Étangs d’Or and the Étang de la Tour – with architecture – featuring Rambouillet Castle and its islands on the lakes, its grand avenues – and wildlife, including barnacle geese, swans and mallards.

A walk through the Rambouillet Forest to discover the Étang d’Or, which you’ll come across at a bend in a forest track, and walk all the way round it. This pond is aptly named, as it is so beautiful and peaceful: the perfect setting for daydreaming. You can spot coots, mallards and grey herons. This walk mainly follows theGR®1, marked with red and white signs.

A very pleasant route for exploring the Rambouillet Forest and two magnificent lakes: the Étang d’Or and the Étang de la Tour.