Around Les Alluets-le-Roi

Morainvilliers does not have a train station, but if you are coming by car, you can park in the car park between the town hall and the church. Arrival by bus is possible: see the Practical Information section.

(S/E) At the far end of the car park, turn right, walk past the building (nursery), go up the stairs and take the path on the left. Walk past the tree-top adventure centre, go straight on and turn left at the barrier. You’ll reach a junction between plots 13 and 189: bench.

(1) Turn left, then left again (plot 10/19), continue straight ahead (plot 10), and take the second path on the right: blue markings on the trees. You’ll reach a car park with two picnic tables.

(2) Head left to join the road, take the right-hand bend, then, just after the barrier, turn left onto the path running alongside a field. Head down to the village following the path, rejoin the tarmac road and go straight on. You’ll come out onto Rue des Alluets (signposted Les Alluets-le-Roi), cross it and follow it to the right using the pavement, which is safer. You’ll reach Rue de la Croix Paquet and turn left to follow it to the junction.

(3) Turn right: caution: this section of road has no pavement, so take great care. On the uphill stretch, turn right about a hundred metres before the Orgeval sign, then take a path on the left after stepping over a ditch. This path is barely visible and muddy at the start: there is what looks like a pile of vegetation opposite. At the end of the path, take the track on the left.

(4) Head up the path to the right via the small steps, then follow the road. Leave Rue Parmentier on your left, join Rue des Alluets and make a first turn right then left to join a path that narrows further on. After the left-hand bend, continue to the right, carry on to a forest gate, then follow the road to the left until you reach the junction with the D45.

(5) Cross it carefully to take the forest track opposite the Stop sign. Go round the fallen trees: a small path on the left allows you to go round them and return to the main track. Turn right at a 90° angle and, when you reach a fork, take the path on the left to start a descent and reach the edge of the woods.

(6) Turn right.

(7) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. At the fork, follow the PR® to the left and, once at the top, turn left again to walk alongside a field on your right. Reach the junction with a road at a place called Fonds Saint-Gilles.

(8) Cross it and take the path opposite. Cross the forest, follow a field on your right and, at its end, turn right to follow the edge and take a path that curves further on to the left to join a road (D189).

(9) Walk carefully along the right-hand side of the road, crossing it at the start of the bend, and take the path on the left, protected by a barrier. Stay on this path, keeping the same direction: further on, you will pass a collapsed wall and a ruined house. Reach a junction.

(10) Turn right. At the fork, take a path on the left, leaving the track that continues towards the sheds. Head downhill, follow a residential fence and, at its end (large oak tree), turn right to pass between two fences, go past the wash house and enter the village of Herbeville.

(11) Follow the PR® to the right. Pass the church and then the town hall, both on your left, and continue straight on until the Stop sign. Cross the road, turn right onto it, then turn left a few dozen metres further on, to climb up towards the cemetery along the path. In front of the cemetery, take the path that climbs up to the right into the forest. At the end of the green fence, follow the road to the right and, before the Stop sign, turn left behind the safety barrier to walk alongside the D45, passing in front of the riding school.

(12) Cross the road carefully to take the Chemin de Beulle and continue along the edge of the woods with the fields on your right.

(13) Enter the forest and head for the Carrefour de la Vente des Dames, where the route joins the GR®26: red and white markings. Continue straight on to reach Les Préaux.

(14) Go straight on, following the wall, and stay on the GR®26. Walk past an orchard on your left, reach a road and cross it to take the path opposite. Reach a junction located about fifty metres from an antenna.

(15) Turn right, pass in front of Romainville Castle and continue straight on, following the GR®. Pass a small pond on your right, enter the forest and walk for about 200 m.

(16) Leave the GR®, which continues straight ahead, and take a path on the left. At the large oak tree, turn right and head uphill; at the next large oak tree, take the path that winds to the left.

(17) Take the second path on the right, between plots 21 and 22, then further on, turn left: welcome sign. Head slightly to the right to pass under the treetop adventure route and, at the hut, turn left to reach the car park (S/E).

Please note that the Morainvilliers car park has a 4-hour time limit (disc) on weekdays and unlimited parking on Sundays and public holidays. You can park and start from point (2).

You can take bus 6512 (Poissy / Morainvilliers / Orgeval) or bus 6570 (Les Mureaux station / Saint-Germain-en-Laye station), which stops at Morainvilliers church. Check timetables.

After the point (5), the track is blocked by fallen trees: take the path on the left to go round them and rejoin the track.

(6) Alternative route: you can take a break (benches available) at the ruins of Abbecourt Abbey. Take the path behind the gate, continue to the entrance of the Moulin d’Orgeval and turn right. Walk past the abbey ruins and, at the car park just beyond, take the path on the right to rejoin the main trail at (7).

At (12), halfway along the route, there is a spot for a picnic by the fountain.

Saint Léger Church in Morainvilliers.

The ruins of Abbecourt Abbey via the alternative route at (6): picnic table.

Herbeville’s (restored) wash house and the village centre.

Romainville Castle.