Vincennes Woods and the banks of the Marne

Head to the Fontenay-sous-Bois station on the RER A line and take the Moreau David exit.

(S/E) Head towards the Bois de Vincennes via Avenue du Président Roosevelt.

(1) When you reach the crossroads, head for the fountain and take the path on the left.

(2) Cross Avenue de Nogent and take the path on the left (avoid the one running alongside the road).

(3) Continue straight on and cross the stream. Leave the woods and follow Avenue des Châtaigners (Nogent-sur-Marne).

(4) Cross Rue de Joinville. Turn left until you reach a footpath on the right (Victor Baltard).

(5) Turn right towards the Pavillon Baltard, taking this footpath.

(6) In front of the Pavillon Baltard, you can read about its history on a sign. Walk down Rue Victor Bach.

(7) Take the Promenade Yvette Horner on the left (marked by a large metal gate). Follow the banks of the Marne.

(8) Continue along the banks of the Marne until you reach the Bry-sur-Marne Bridge.

(9) At the bridge, take the steps to cross to the right.

(10) Go down the stairs from the bridge to continue walking on the other bank of the Marne. You can see sculptures in the water on the banks of the islands opposite (a panther, a dinosaur). Pass under the A4 motorway.

(11) Continue along the banks of the Marne.

(12) When you reach the Pont de Joinville, cross it (to the right) and carry on straight ahead. Walk up the hill. Pass under the Joinville-le-Pont RER A line.

(13) Turn right onto the Route de la Pyramide. Go over the A4 motorway, then past the Arboretum and the École d’Horticulture du Breuil (free entry and open to the public).

(14) At the roundabout, cross the farm track on the right, then take the path alongside the rugby pitches to the watercourse currently under construction (as of August 2026).

(15) At the fountain, cross over and stay on the path on the left-hand side of the stream.

(16) Continue on the left-hand side of the stream.

(17) Turn right onto Route Circulaire / Ronde des Minimes, then immediately left to rejoin a path. This time, follow the path on the right-hand side of the stream.

(18) Once you reach Lac des Minimes, you can take a break at Rosa Bonheur or the lakeside sweet shop before heading back up to the starting point.

(19) Cross Avenue de Nogent carefully at the pedestrian crossing – be particularly vigilant as not all cars stop – and continue along the path opposite until you reach the junction of Avenue du Président Roosevelt and Avenue de la Dame Blanche. Return to the RER A station at Fontenay-sous-Bois (S/E).

The sections through the woods at the start and end of the route are shaded. The sections along the banks of the Marne are less shaded, but there are large benches in the shade where you can have a picnic between points (10) and (11).
The numerous drinking fountains along the route are open from spring to autumn. There are no toilets along the route.
Don’t count on stopping for a bite to eat at Gégène’s along the route; it has been closed since December 2024 (the owner has retired).
Do take the time to read the many historical information boards along the route.
There are some interesting graffiti tags under the bridges.
You can use the water buses for free with a Navigo pass.
You cannot reach the islands on foot, apart from Île Fanac after the point (12) at the end by the Pont de Joinville. The stretch between the points (12) and (13) is in the city centre, uphill and in full sun in the afternoon. I haven’t found a pleasant alternative.
Between waypoints (14) and (15), stay firmly on the path; do not try to take any shortcuts, as you’ll come across a huge, particularly revolting open-air toilet.

Pavillon Baltard.
Beautiful houses along the Yvette Horner promenade.
Sculptures on the banks of Île Amour after the Pont de Bry.
If you have the stamina, you can visit the René-Dumont Tropical Agronomy Garden free of charge before point (4) on the edge of the woods to your right, as well as the Arboretum and the École du Breuil between points (13) and (14), particularly in spring. Île Fanac is a pleasant, shaded spot after point (12).