Chars walks

This is the eighth stage of the Grand Tour de l'Île-de-France on the GR®11, starting from Chars station in the Val d'Oise and heading towards Bornel-Belle-Église station in the Oise, through the north-eastern part of the French Vexin and the borders of the Pays de Thelle. This stage is unique in that it runs along the border between the Val d'Oise and Oise departments, with roughly 50% of the route on each side. The proposed itinerary passes through the Buttes de Rosne, the highest natural point in Île-de-France, although it deviates slightly from the GR® for this.

A pleasant and varied hike in the heart of the French Vexin. The route begins with a circular route north of Chars, between fields, meadows and small woods. After the beautiful church of Chars, there are alternating ascents and descents on the slopes of the south bank of the Viosne. The church and old mill in Brignancourt are a heritage stop before heading up the right bank of the Viosne along the edge of a wetland.

Walk starting from Chars SNCF station passing the Château de Saint-Cyr-sur-Chars. On the way back to Chars there is a narrow pedestrian passage that starts with a staircase.

A pleasant walk through fields and woods. Walkers will be surprised by the changing landscapes and colours.

A walk consisting of two circular routes, starting from the beautiful church in Neuilly-en-Vexin. The route alternates between cultivated fields and woodland.

This hike through woods and fields offers beautiful views of the Viosne Valley, a small river that flows through the Vexin Français from north to south, with interesting heritage in the village of Brignancourt and a possible stop at the edge of a beautiful pond.

Pass through beautiful traditional villages, across fields and woods, via the Étang and Moulin de Vallières, ending along the Viosne.

Come and explore the paths and forests on a circular hike that starts in Marines and passes through Neuilly-en-Vexin, Chavençon, Les Buttes du Rosne, Le Heaulme and Le Rosnel.

A varied walk through fields and forests. Discover several ponds, many of which are populated by water birds: herons, moorhens, ducks, geese, coots... The two villages you pass through offer some picturesque streets typical of the French Vexin region, as well as two beautiful churches.

From a quiet little village, the path climbs and winds around Les Buttes de Rosne, the highest point in Île-de-France. Shaded and easy, this family-friendly route, which passes through vast chestnut groves rich in flora and fauna, will delight young and old alike.

This lovely walk takes you to a Neolithic menhir called the Pierre Frite, then to a small, well-preserved castle set in lush green surroundings. Beautiful rolling landscapes can be enjoyed throughout this hike.

An easy loop around Commeny via Le Perchay and the Chaussée Jules César.

A varied hike through woods and fields with two beautiful churches in Bréançon and Le Heaulme. Lovely views over vast fields of green wheat, dotted here and there with red poppies. It's a shame there's a bit too much road.

A short hike starting from Nucourt, in the French Vexin region. At the start of this route, you will pass close (100m) to the church of Nucourt, which is unusual in that it is not located in the centre of the village.

A very pleasant route in the Vexin countryside with, along the way, three beautiful medieval churches featuring Romanesque and Gothic elements.

A very bucolic walk in the heights of the French Vexin, passing close to the highest point in the Ile-de-France region. A beautiful forest to cross until you reach the house that was once inhabited by Sarah Bernhardt. Return through the fields across a beautiful landscape at the edge of Picardy.

A circular route which, on the outward journey, follows theGR®1from Us to Bréançon via Marines, a village in the Vexin region. The return to Us allows you to explore Cormeilles-en-Vexin and cross the Viosne, a tributary of the Oise, once again.

Circular route which, on the outward leg, follows theGR®1from Us to Sagy. The route takes you through part of the Aubette Valley. On both the outward and return legs, you pass through the village of Vigny, home to its castle, well-known to film buffs.

Alternating between cultivated fields and forest edges, this hike follows the Viosne River. For a little over 2 km, the route follows the route of an ancient Roman road, the Chaussée Jules César.

An easy route, from the striking church in Nucourt to the outskirts of Magny-en-Vexin, via the old watercress beds of the Aubette.

The route follows roads, but these are very quiet and offer beautiful scenery of the region around Haravillier. Return via theGR®11. This hike is recommended when the paths are muddy or impassable and/or when hunters have taken over the walking areas.

An easy and varied walk between Vexin and Picardy. The paths are very easy to follow and there are very few roads to cross. The walk starts in Cresnes, a small, quiet hamlet.

This is a very pleasant walk through a varied forest, often along the edge between fields and woods. You will discover superb panoramic views of the Vexin region. Crossing Chavençon, a small village lost in the countryside, is a very enjoyable experience.

A mountain bike ride of around 25km, passing through fields, woods and pretty villages along the Viosne and Couleuvre rivers (Santeuil, Brignancourt, Le Perchay, Ableiges). A lovely spot for a break halfway along the route at the Étang de la Vallière for a picnic. No major difficulties to speak of, apart from a short path through the woods near Santeuil and a return route via the road from Ableiges to Cormeilles (though other options are available).

The walk takes you through a string of pretty villages, each with its own church boasting distinctive architecture and, for the most part, also home to a castle, the most remarkable of which are those at Guiry-en-Vexin, Théméricourt and Viry. There are also several museums along the route: the Archaeological Museum, the Tools Museum, the Harvest Museum and the Maison du Parc.It is also an opportunity to admire the open landscapes of this very hilly French Vexin region, where fields, meadows and forests intermingle. The calcareous meadows are particularly striking in spring due to the abundance of flowers found there.

Discover three pretty villages in the French Vexin region with beautiful churches, a stunning castle and varied landscapes of fields, sunny hillsides and even pine forests.

An easy route to explore the heritage of the village of Vigny and the surrounding countryside.

A circular route in the French Vexin, mainly through fields. Starting from the church in Vigny, the route passes through the villages of Sagy and Longuesse, each with their own church.

A loop starting from Vigny via Théméricourt and Avernes.

A pleasant, easy hike from village to village. Unfortunately, a few sections of very quiet minor roads are unavoidable, as are a few dozen metres along a main road. There are three beautiful churches to see, including Fresne-Leguillon, which is usually open and has been particularly well restored.

Whilst the Morval Departmental Forest is well known to walkers, the village of Banthelu lies off the usual routes. But this little village is well worth a detour, if only for its history, as is Cléry-en-Vexin, which you also pass through before discovering the covered walkway of Bois Couturier.

The French Vexin region has numerous megalithic sites dating from the late third millennium B.C. This walk gives you the chance to visit a dolmen in a perfect state of preservation. As you stroll through the fields and woods, you will also be able to see some lovely churches and castles.

A hike on the slopes of both banks of the Viosne, alternating between cultivated fields, woodland and charming villages. For about 3 kilometres, the route follows the course of an ancient Roman road, the Chaussée Jules César. There is a rich heritage to discover along the way: mills, a castle, churches, crosses, wash houses and beautiful houses.

Between town and countryside, this walk is mainly marked by yellow PR® markers.

A pleasant walk starting from Boissy-l'Aillerie station, through the wooded and grain-growing areas of the Vexin plateau.

This mainly forest hike will take you to the Galluis Regional Forest, then on to the village of Frémainville, where you will discover some interesting heritage sites. It is best to do this walk during the dry season.

The main destination of this hike is an imposing Neolithic dolmen. Passing through woods and fields, it also offers the opportunity to discover two charming villages in the Réveillon Valley.