Loop in the south of the Rougeau Forest

This hike will allow you to discover the southern part of the Rougeau Forest, which is much more rugged than the northern part. You will enjoy beautiful views of the Seine valley. You will be surprised by the bucolic Royal Pavilion estate and the Forest Guardian.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 27 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 27 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 86 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 58 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the car park on the right of the D446, almost opposite the Babyland leisure park, coming from Saintry-sur-Seine.

(S/E) Take the paved road, closed to cars (Route du Ravin du Gouffre), which enters the forest and follow it south.

(1) Turn right onto the road (route de Traverse) and pass an information sign and a pond that is sometimes dry. Then turn left (route Forestière des Bruyères). About 150 m after this turn, just before a very small bridge over a stream, there is a path on the right.

(2) Take this path and immediately afterwards take the path on the left that passes over the small stream. Follow this path which leads to the Route de Villedon. Shortly before reaching this road, turn left.

(3) Take the paved road to Nandy, also called Route Forestière de l'Inspecteur, and head back into the forest. After about 100 metres, you will see one of the most beautiful oak trees in the forest on your right, the Chêne de la Commery. At the intersection with Route des Bruyères, continue straight ahead and start descending. Cross the bridge at the bottom of the descent.

(4) Once you have crossed the bridge, immediately turn right onto the path that follows the stream, the Ravin du Gouffre. After 300 to 400 m, the water may disappear underground, but the bed remains visible. Follow this stream along the path that runs parallel to it until you reach a bend followed by a steep descent.

(5) At this bend before the descent, take the first path on the left which leads to a bare area at the top of a cliff. Follow the edge of the cliff, which is actually the top of an old quarry and offers a beautiful view of the Seine. Take the path that continues on. Avoid the paths that branch off to the right and descend towards the Seine. The path ends at the end of the Chemin des Merles, which is paved. Follow it to the right (there is little traffic). At the first fork, continue straight ahead and join Chemin du Gouffre, which is also paved. Follow it to the right. Shortly after a 90° turn (Avenue du Pavillon Royal), about 250 m away, you will see the gates of the Domaine du Pavillon Royal on your right.

(6) Go through the gates, passing between a castle on the left and an outbuilding on the right. Follow the path along the fence on the left. You will arrive at a farm, where you should immediately take the path on the right to reach the large central meadow. As you pass, look to your left in the distance for a small 18th-century château, the Pavillon Bouret. Head towards the small Napoleon III-style pavilion, which is in need of restoration and offers a beautiful view of the Seine. To return to the entrance of the estate, take the path along the edge of the plateau and leave the estate.

(6) Take the tarmac Allée Bourette opposite.

(7) Leave it at the second intersection, taking the Route des Écuyers on the left. It crosses the Route de Saint-Jean; continue straight ahead and you will arrive at the Carrefour du Dauphin.

(8) Take the third road on the right, which is the Route du Petit Cavalier, a paved road. At the first intersection, turn left onto the Route de Traverse. Be careful in wet weather, as this unpaved road can be very muddy. Follow it until it joins the paved road you took at the start of the walk.

(1) Follow the road to the right to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 85 m - Parking opposite the Babyland leisure park
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 84 m - Carrefour de la Boucle
  3. 2 : km 0.79 - alt. 84 m - Fork on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.47 - alt. 86 m - Inspecteur Forest Road
  5. 4 : km 2.38 - alt. 76 m - Bridge
  6. 5 : km 3.05 - alt. 58 m - Take the path on the left in the bend
  7. 6 : km 4.99 - alt. 82 m - Domaine du Pavillon Royal
  8. 7 : km 6.83 - alt. 85 m - Route des Écuyers
  9. 8 : km 7.54 - alt. 86 m - Carrefour du Dauphin
  10. S/E : km 9.33 - alt. 85 m - Parking opposite the Babyland leisure park

Notes

The route is equipped with picnic areas, in particular 100 m before the pond, where there are tables and benches.
Benches are also provided at the junction of the Route Forestière de l'Inspecteur and the Route Forestière des Bruyères, as well as at the Carrefour du Dauphin.

If the season has been too rainy, to avoid the Route de Traverse, go straight ahead at the Carrefour du Dauphin (8), which takes you onto the Route Forestière de l'Inspecteur. Follow this road straight ahead to return to the point (4). Then go up the Chemin du Ravin du Gouffre on the right, along the stream, which will take you to the paved road mentioned above, leading to the starting car park (S/E).

Worth a visit

The viewpoints over the Seine are indicated in the description of the hike.
There are some remarkable trees to admire: the Commery oak and some trees in the Domaine du Pavillon Royal (Lebanon cedar, giant sequoia).
A quarry and its lime kilns. Lime was transported away by river. A port was built on the Seine just below, as evidenced by a few piles emerging from the water, much to the delight of the cormorants.
Don't miss the Gardien (Guardian of the Forest), a monumental work by German artist Gloria Friedman, about 500 metres from the start of Allée Bourette and about 15 metres on the left. A sign at the edge of the lane provides details about this work.
The Royal Pavilion Estate: Étienne-Michel Bouret (1710-1777) was a wealthy financier, intendant to the King and farmer general.Little by little, he built up a huge estate in the Rougeau Forest and, starting in 1755, had a château built inspired by the Château de Marly in the hope of receiving the King there when he went hunting in the Sénart Forest. Louis XV visited once. The castle and its grounds were considered one of the most beautiful estates of the time. Bouret also had the Allée Bourette laid out in the forest to connect with the Allée Royale and, via this, the Forest of Sénart, in order to facilitate hunting in both forests.
The château was destroyed in 1822 and a new château, which is the one we see today at the entrance to the estate, was built and the park was redesigned in the English style. on the estate, there is a beautiful 19th-century farm, a dovecote, the Bouret Pavilion, meadows, a Napoleon III pavilion and works of art installed by the Île-de-France Green Spaces Agency (AEV), which owns the estate. The castle, the farm and the Bouret Pavilion are privately owned.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 38 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 15495621

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is not signposted, and the explanations lack detail.

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marijosenef
marijosenef

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a trip I took with a friend for the first time. No difficulties on this route!

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jmjstan
jmjstan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Having done this Nordic walking circuit several times, I recommend avoiding the return route via the shortcut, which becomes impassable in autumn. It is better to continue along the inspector's road before climbing back up the ravine.

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Lulu1
Lulu1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk to the ponds, but not much to see in the residential area.

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jmjstan
jmjstan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that in rainy weather, it is preferable to return to point 4 at the end of the route and climb back up through the ravine rather than using the cross-country road, which is more or less flooded and very muddy on the section leading to point 1.

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Cc 91
Cc 91

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

hike done in April, a few muddy sections

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bmmc
bmmc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very precise instructions, useful alternative to avoid a flooded passage

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Martine Desicy
Martine Desicy

Hike to do in July.

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sevdo
sevdo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At point n3, there is now a car park. We left the route at one point by mistake and then returned without too much difficulty. At another point, we added a loop which gave us an even wider view of the Seine. However, this route is not suitable for young children as there are no safety barriers. We thoroughly enjoyed this walk. Thank you

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Saveria
Saveria

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant hike in early spring. The walk often leaves the busy main paths for quieter and more varied trails. The short tour of the castle grounds is worth it for the magnificent trees. The undergrowth is covered with flowers.
Avoid if it has rained heavily in the previous days, but the paths were all passable.
There are few signs at crossroads, so follow the directions and the route carefully.

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Walling
Walling
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great route, varied landscape and beautiful views of the Seine in places with interesting points of interest such as the Cedar of Lebanon at the Pavillon Royale
If you're a photography enthusiast, don't forget your camera
Easy hike

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RaonLesLeau
RaonLesLeau

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant, easy hike. Few people on the trails. Be sure to read the description carefully as there are few signs in the forest. However, there are virtually no views of the Seine, which is hidden by trees.

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bruno5m
bruno5m

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

an easy family walk, but best done in early spring, as in the height of summer the trees almost completely block the view of the Seine! If you're doing it with children, allow a little more than 2 hours 45 minutes...

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ozogiminy
ozogiminy

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The description is confusing from the start. At point 1, it says to turn right with the road (crossing road), but as soon as you turn, there is a sign for Route des Bruyères before the information sign.
The big problem is at point 5, where it says to take the first path on the left at the bend before the descent, which leads to a bare area that I couldn't find. Continuing along this path, you end up on Chemin des Merles, but at the other end of the path.I think at some point you have to follow the GR for a while, so probably turn right and then left to get to the top of this cliff. It's a shame this wasn't specified

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zebulon1961
zebulon1961

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a pleasant short hike with some very interesting spots, a beautiful view of the Gouffre ravine, the royal pavilion with a Lebanese cedar and a sequoia, and the beautiful sculpture of the forest guardian.

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