Around the lakes of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne

This pleasant, easy route is partly shaded in summer. The proximity to the water offers lovely views of the River Yonne and the fishing ponds at Villeneuve. You can spot a variety of wildlife and attractions… as well as anglers in action.

Details

1438815
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.79 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 243 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 223 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Villeneuve-sur-Yonne (89500)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.086024° / E 3.292504°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Villeneuve-sur-Yonne.
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is at Lock No. 6 in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, very close by in the former waterworks building, now converted into a restaurant (Au Vieux Tilleul).

(S/E) Take the towpath on the right bank of the Yonne, continuing straight ahead (the river will be on your left). At the junction with the path leading to the sewage treatment works, carry on straight ahead.

(1) At the next junction, take the path branching off to the right under the high-voltage power lines, skirting the lake on your left, which is visible in places. The path goes round the lake to the right, running parallel to the RD606.

(2) A few hundred metres further on, at the Fork in the road, take the path that continues straight ahead, running alongside a second lake. Follow this path as it turns left, whilst continuing to run alongside this second lake.

(3) Turn right onto the lane that winds its way between a series of private lakes before joining a tarmac road.

(4) Turn left. Continue in the same direction until you reach the River Yonne.

(5) Turn left onto the towpath which runs between the river on the right and a lake on the left. Carry on straight ahead, passing the leisure centre on your left.

(1) Follow the same route you took on the way there in the opposite direction until you reach the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 230 ft - Lock No. 6 at Villeneuve-sur-Yonne
  2. 1 : mi 0.68 - alt. 230 ft - High-voltage power line
  3. 2 : mi 1.24 - alt. 236 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.69 - alt. 230 ft - Turn right
  5. 4 : mi 2.1 - alt. 230 ft - Tarmac road
  6. 5 : mi 2.56 - alt. 226 ft - Edge of the - Yonne (l')
  7. S/E : mi 4.79 - alt. 230 ft - Lock No. 6 at Villeneuve-sur-Yonne

Notes

A flat route, with no difficulty whatsoever, alternating between shaded and sunny sections depending on the time of day.

For your safety, please avoid using this route during the traditional hunting season from 1 October to 28 February.

The sections through woods and forests must be walked along country lanes; entering any woodland (even communal woodland) is prohibited. Please take care.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 18323502

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this peaceful and pleasant walk.
The only slight downside was that part of the route ran close to the road.
But the rest of the route is very natural, and we even saw kingfishers on the ponds!

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Domi39
Domi39

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A walk taken on a weekday outside the school holidays, so there weren’t many people about: just a few anglers. An easy walk, but disappointing in terms of flora and fauna, as it went round private, fenced-off ponds. More fishing spots than wildlife… I could hear scare shots being fired. Part of the walk
ran between two fences.... Few birds (a few swans, mallards and grebes), and no kingfishers or cormorants (unfortunately shot in the area), just one grey heron...
The flora along the paths was rather sparse, though there were some pyramidal orchids.

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Chant. B.
Chant. B.
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk through quite varied countryside. The sunny weather meant we particularly enjoyed the proximity of the Yonne and the presence of woods and ponds.

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