Chavenay walks

A varied hike, with a beautiful wooded route in the western part of the Forest of Marly and a stroll through the village of Feucherolles. A hike with two loops, lending itself to several variations, such as limiting yourself to the 7.5 km forest loop.

This circular route follows theGR®1from Feucherolles to Saint-Germain-de-la-Grange on the outward leg, passing through Davron and Thiverval-Grignon. On the return leg, you’ll discover Chavenay. Each of the three villages has its own wash house and a remarkable church. Much of the walk takes place through fields.

A short walk on either side of the Ru de Gally, with beautiful views of the plain and the Palace of Versailles and a rich heritage in the charming village of Rennemoulin.

The walk begins in Rennemoulin, following the Ru de Gally to Les Bordes in Villepreux. The route heads back up towards the sports facilities in Villepreux, circles round the rear of Villepreux Castle and joins the Voie Royale, which leads back to Rennemoulin. This short walk offers the chance to admire the landscapes of the Versailles plain from the heights of Villepreux and to explore the village of Rennemoulin.

A short walk along the streams of the Plaine de Versailles, including the Ru de Gally, which has its source in the castle grounds. The charming village of Rennemoulin boasts a chapel, a wash house and an old bridge, while the Fontaine de Maltoute fountain offers a pleasant, shaded spot to stop for a break. Unacceptable behaviour has been observed; see the warning in the practical information section.

This circular mainly covers the Marly Forest, allowing you to walk theGR®1from Chambourcy to Louveciennes. On the way back, the route crosses the Parc du Domaine Royal de Marly.

The route goes around the Joyenval golf course, on which the old abbey is located, and passes in front of the Désert de Retz. The ruins of the Château de Montjoie and a hunting table are also located near the route.

The second stage ofthe GR®1, this walk takes you through the Forêt de Marly and various charming villages such as Feucherolles and Orgeval. The first part is through the forest, whilst the second alternates between meadows, built-up areas and woodland. This stage is notable for the variety of landscapes you’ll encounter.

Around Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche station - Marly Forest, a walk in a beautiful deciduous forest. It suffered greatly from the great storm of 1999, which flattened the oak trees on the motorway like straw, but this hike has a high density of remarkable trees (oaks, hornbeams, beeches). As the Marly forest is crossed by several busy roads, this hike focuses on the quietest part. It also offers a few viewpoints.

A hike from station to station that crosses the Marly National Forest and then the Tailles d'Herbelay Departmental Forest. It then offers a visit to the charming town centre of Chambourcy and a short walk in the Saint-Germain-en-Laye National Forest. The route ends in Poissy, where you can admire the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame and the remains of the Old Bridge over the Seine.

A mainly forest route with several remarkable trees here and there. The site of the Croix Saint-Michel offers a view stretching as far as Paris. A short but fairly challenging hike, given the alternating ascents and descents (the total elevation gain is probably underestimated; allow for around 200m).

A walk from station to station that crosses the Marly State Forest, then Marly Park and finally the Louveciennes Forest. The route ends in Vaucresson, in an urban setting.

A hike that alternates between forest and fields, with a small pond that is ideal for a pleasant break.

A pleasant route alternating between small villages, forest edges and wide open horizons.

This circuit consists almost exclusively of paved forest roads, at least in part, and is closed to motor traffic. This allows you to hike in the forest without having to surf on paths full of water and mud in winter.

A pleasant hike through the forest and along a golf course in a little-known part of the Marly National Forest.

This route is shared between Bailly and the Plaine de Versailles, which you reach via the footbridge at Bailly. It allows you to explore the Plaine de Versailles, starting by passing through the centre of Bailly.

This short walk allows you to explore the surroundings of Bailly and Roquencourt. If the forest ground is muddy, you can return via the same route you took on the way there. Bailly and Rocquencourt are located in the Versailles plain on the edge of the Forest of Marly. The municipal area of Rocquencourt is relatively small: it is one of the smallest municipalities in the Yvelines department.

This walk allows you to discover the towns of Bailly and Noisy-le-Roi, as well as the Domaine de la Tuilerie and the Marly Forest, which form a lush green local environment.

The Forest of Marly covers 2,000 hectares about twenty kilometres west of Paris, between Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles. It stretches 12 km from east to west and connects to the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye via the Plaine de la Jonction. It is a former hunting ground of the kings of France. The hike includes a route through this forest starting from Bailly.

The Town of Bois d’Arcy pays particular attention to the management and maintenance of its tree heritage. Thanks to a mapped inventory combined with a profile for each tree, it ensures precise monitoring, enabling high-quality maintenance. Each tree is identified within the town by a marker equipped with a QR code that links directly to this page. This trail invites you to discover the town’s tree heritage via a 6.5 km walking route. A simple, modern and fun way to get to know the nature around us better.

A walk from station to station, mainly through woodland. The route alternates between wide, signposted paths and less-used trails where a good sense of direction is useful. Along the way, there are lovely woodland scenes, several remarkable trees and an old 18th-century cross.

The Marly Pumping Station was built at the end of the 17th century to pump water from the Seine and supply the ponds at the Château de Marly and those at the Château de Versailles. This walk, largely through urban areas, passes through a small section of the Marly Forest and then the park of the same name, where the ponds still remain. After a steep descent to the Marly Pumping Station, the route crosses the picturesque Île de la Loge before climbing back up to the heights of Marly-le-Roi.

A walk from station to station that begins with narrow streets and paths in L'Étang-la-Ville and Mareil-Marly, through their gardens and apple orchards. The rest of the route takes place entirely in the Marly Forest, alternating between compacted tracks, sometimes damp dirt tracks and little-known paths deep in the undergrowth. Along the way, you’ll find beautiful woodland scenery, several remarkable trees and an old 18th-century cross.

A relatively short route but with some steep slopes, in a beautiful forest setting.

The route starts at the Place du Marché in Bailly and crosses the Versailles plain, following the Ru de Gally for part of the way and passing through the village of Rennemoulin, where you can admire the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas and the wash house.

This circular route follows theGR®1 trailfrom Parc de la Bruneterie in Orgeval to the Forest of Marly on the way there. On the way back, the route crosses the Joyenval Golf Course and the commune of Chambourcy.

A short walk through the woods will take you to Saint-Pierre-de-Plaisir Church and Plaisir Castle.

The Étang de Saint-Quentin, an artificial lake covering an area of approximately 150 hectares, is located in the municipalities of Trappes and Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Pas-du-lac district), within the new town of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It is part of a large leisure and outdoor recreation centre covering a total area of 600 hectares. Various leisure activities can be enjoyed there. It serves as a wintering ground for many migratory birds. More than 230 species of birds inhabit the 90 hectares of the reserve.

Short hike in the Île-de-France region, from Élancourt Village to the Courance de Maurepas pond. The outward journey follows the left bank of the Ru d'Elancourt, the return journey follows the right bank. The first part (from (S) to (3)) can no longer be done. The entire Elancourt hill (la Revanche) is under construction in preparation for the Olympic Games and is therefore closed to hiking. This will remain the case until 2025... See reviews

The park is located in Marly-le-Roi and managed by the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles. A sloping park on the south bank of the Seine, its lower part overlooks the centre of Marly. To the east, it is very close to the Louveciennes national forest, from which it is separated by the Route de Versailles. It still features the grand alignments of the Louis XIV era, the layout of the château on the ground, and the drinking trough downstream of the park with its two basins topped by copies of the Chevaux de Marly. The royal gate and the gates of the former château, such as the main gate and the Phare gate, protect access to the estate. The GPX track may prove useful.

From the Mauldre Valley to the Seine Valley, a hike from station to station that alternates between fields and woodland. The Étang d’Abbecourt offers a perfect spot for a break, and the Church of Saint-Étienne in Vernouillet adds a touch of heritage.

A walk on the plateaus above the Mauldre valley. A rolling landscape as far as the eye can see accompanies you throughout the hike.

A hike on the slopes of both banks of the Mauldre, a tributary of the Seine between the Plaine de Versailles and the Mantois. The route, consisting of two loops, alternates between residential areas, forests and fields. A rich heritage, partly linked to water, can be discovered along the way: an old fortified castle, old mills, a siphon bridge, farm buildings, a church, etc.

This circular hike in the Beynes forest takes you past several underground gas storage sites. You will then cross the village of Saulx-Marchais, passing by its old church and town hall before crossing the fields to reach Neauphle-le-Vieux and the Mauldre river. Return to the starting point via the Beynes forest.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO DO THIS ROUTE FROM SEPTEMBER 2022 DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HILL FOR THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES. This route passes by many interesting sites and places: an old church, a lake, viewpoints and, in particular, La Revanche hill, the highest point in the Île-de-France region. It is advisable to do this route on a clear day if possible, so that you can enjoy the view of the entire region to the full.

This is the upstream section of this series of three walks dedicated to the Bièvre. A very pleasant route along the river and its ponds, in a setting that is mostly bucolic. A walk from station to station, the length of which can be adapted according to conditions or preference.

The Bièvre Valley is undoubtedly one of the best places for hiking in the region. Indeed, in summer it is a succession of ponds and lush green landscapes. This hike takes you through the most interesting part of the valley, featuring a succession of five remarkable ponds. You can then round off your day with a visit to Versailles, adding a touch of history to the route.

A half-day walk, mainly in the woods, with a beautiful pond and the vast lawn of the Domaine de Beauregard.

A former royal estate (Louis XIV liked to entertain his friends here, away from the court), the Parc de Marly combines a rich heritage with the pleasure of strolling along woodland paths, wide avenues and vast lawns.

This is the third stage of the GR® 11 Grand Tour of Île-de-France. It continues through the Yvelines, between Saint-Cyr station and Villiers-Neauphle-Pontchartrain station. This stage completes the 'radial' part of the GR® starting from Paris and joins the circular loop that circles the region from Villiers-Saint-Frédéric. The route passes through increasingly large wooded areas as you approach the countryside.

Discover the Ile de Loisirs de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines with its nature reserve, a route with few hills and accessible to all.

This is a walk around Pontchartrain, passing through Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, Neauphle-le-Vieux, Mareil-le-Guyon and Tremblay-sur-Mauldre. You will follow restored footpaths amongst castles, rivers and fields.

This path, starting from Morainvilliers church (see the Practical Information section), circles Les Alluets-le-Roi, staying in the woods as much as possible. It is therefore more pleasant to walk on in fine weather and when the paths are less muddy.

A walk accessible to all, starting from Villiers-Saint-Frédéric station, to explore the park and the Château de Plaisir. This walk takes you through fields, the market square in Plaisir and the castle grounds. The return journey takes you through the Sainte-Apolline forest and the pretty village of Neauphle-le-Château.There are several water points if you have a dog. The route is accessible all year round. It may be a little muddy, but it remains accessible in the forest during the rainy season.

This stage is the last of the old GR®1 route. The departure point is at Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, at the RER station. The entire route is rural. It passes through several villages, including Saint-Germain-la-Grange, Thiverval-Grignon and Davron. There are two notable churches: those of Davron and Thiverval-Grignon, not to mention Feucherolles. This is an undemanding section that allows you to finish the GR®1 at a leisurely pace.

A hilly route from village to village, with views of Paris and La Défense.

A circular route starting from Villiers-Saint-Frédéric station and crossing the village of Neauphle-le-Château. This route alternates between fields and charming little paths to reach the village square. Along the way, you will discover wide open spaces, a small lake, an orientation table, a farmyard housing an old church, old stones, and the charm of the square in Neauphle-le-Château with its narrow cobbled streets.

Fourth stage of the Grand Tour de l'Île-de-France on the GR® 11 and start of the clockwise circular section.This stage takes place entirely in the Yvelines department, connecting Villiers-Neauphle-Pontchartrain station to Orgerus-Béhoust station, crossing the Beynes forest and the agricultural landscapes of the Yvelines. The route runs alongside the Avre aqueduct, which supplies drinking water to western Paris.

In search of a little blue butterfly. During a break halfway through, I saw a magnificent blue butterfly, just once, which was quite exceptional. This gave me the idea to write an article and since then, I have always dreamed of seeing it again.

A stroll around the picturesque ponds of the Bièvre springs. Beautiful landscapes full of relief on the ponds, mallards, moorhens, gulls, etc. Silence, perhaps a stag with beautiful antlers and does. The Minière ponds consist of several bodies of water: the Moulin à Renard Pond, the Minière Pond and the Val d'Or Pond. These ponds, nestled in the forest of Versailles, cover a total area of 25 hectares at an average altitude of 110 metres and a maximum depth of 15 metres. The source of the Bièvre is located upstream from the ponds, in the nearby hamlet of Bouviers. After a 32.8-kilometre journey, the Bièvre flows into the Seine in Paris.

From station to station through the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye with a short detour through the historic centre of the village of Mesnil-le-Roi. Arrival in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, capital of inland waterway transport.

Starting from the Saint-Germain-en-Laye RER station, this loop begins on the grounds and terrace of the château, then alternates between wide forest paths and trails that wind through the undergrowth.

On this walk from station to station, you’ll follow the Mauldre river through the countryside, passing through several villages to discover some heritage sights.

A fairly easy walk from station to station, the first part of which is through woodland where you can admire superb specimens of various species of deciduous trees, particularly beeches and oaks, which are certainly over a hundred years old. You also pass close to the Alluets-le-Roi telecommunications centre and its many antennas of all types.The second part, which is more varied, includes a visit to the ruins of Abbecourt Abbey and the centres of the villages of Orgeval and Villennes-sur-Seine with their churches. The walk ends with a pleasant stroll along the banks of the Seine.

A hike along the hillsides on both banks of the Mauldre river, offering beautiful panoramic views. There are heritage sites to discover in the three towns along the route.

Montainville is situated in the centre of the Yvelines department. The commune’s territory extends across the eastern edge of the Mantois plateau and the western slope of the Mauldre valley. The village site forms a promontory bounded by two valleys named after their springs: the Serpe valley to the north and the Orme valley to the south.

A hike from station to station, most of which takes place in the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which we cross from south-west to north-east. It is an opportunity to walk through forests of various species and to come across two ancient crosses and two oratories. The route ends with a water theme, at the confluence of the Seine and the Oise.

Starting from the Bassin de la Courance in Maurepas, you will walk through woods, fields and small hillside villages. This hike is accessible to everyone, young and old alike.

The first part of the circuit from Bures to Chapet passes through fields along farm tracks, then crosses Chapet and reaches the hamlet of Brezolles, before returning through the woods

A lovely little circular walk along the Seine, between Le Pecq and Bougival.

A very short walk to get some fresh air around a pond that is home to many birds. Along the way, you will discover a Gothic-style church, the ruins of the keep of the former Château de Maurepas and a remarkable oak tree.

A walk in a green setting and beside a peaceful little lake in the middle of Élancourt (on the border with Maurepas). Combine it with a visit to the Commanderie des Templiers de la Villedieu and, why not, a visit to France Miniature, which is right next door.

A short walk between forest and fields without leaving Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It will take you to the "Garde Manger", a shop selling local and short route products.

A pleasant walk through the forest and along the Minière ponds.

You will cross from one side of the small valley to the other, where the Ru de la Courance flows, and on the opposite side you will follow a hillside route amongst mainly oak and chestnut trees, as well as ferns and heather in season. You will have the opportunity to walk alongside the Bassin de la Courance, either close by or at a distance.

A walk between the new town and the forest. The Étang des Noés is home to many birds that nest in the reeds on its banks. After walking around the pond, the more adventurous can take an easy stroll through the forest.

A walk between ponds, country lanes and forest, passing through the small town of Mesnil-Saint-Denis. This hike is accessible to all. It takes you through a variety of places with lovely views. Please note that there is virtually no shade for two-thirds of the route between the points (1) and (6), so it is best to avoid it in very hot weather.

A mainly forest route, alternating between wide paths and trails winding through the undergrowth. An opportunity to discover a charming pond and explore a well-maintained botanical trail.

Hike through the heights of the Versailles National Forest with views of the Étangs de la Geneste and Val d'Or ponds, and don't forget to see the remarkable oak tree of Louis XIV.

A short walk to explore the narrow lanes of the La Bretonnière neighbourhood in Voisins-le-Bretonneux and its surroundings. It is perfectly suited to the lockdown period: the route takes an hour and stays within a 1 km radius of the Quarante Arpents school complex, located in the heart of the neighbourhood. More than three-quarters of the route is along pedestrian paths surrounded by greenery.

A former royal hunting ground, the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye now offers beautiful high forests with a variety of tree species. The proposed route, marked by old crosses and oratories, reflects this diversity.

Circular in the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, passing notably by the Étoile Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, the Oratory of Sainte-Geneviève, the Mare aux Canes, the Étoile Saint-Anne and the Étoile Saint-Joseph.