Circuit of the old railway line in Verneuil-l'Étang

Starting point and access: Verneuil-l'Étang train station .
- Transilien - Line P, on the section between Paris-Est and Provins.
Take the only exit, platform 1, towards Provins (if arriving from the opposite direction, take platform 2 and use the footbridge).

Red, white and blue signposts

(S/E) When you leave the station, turn right onto Rue de la Gare. Cross Rue Pasteur on the left, then Rue de La Fontaine on the right.

Red and white signposts

(1) At the stop sign, turn right onto the D99 towards Mormant and Champeaux. Take the bridge over the railway line. At the next intersection, turn left onto the D47 towards Mormant and Champeaux. Pass the waste collection centre on your right.

No signposts

(2) When the road turns right, take the track on the left that starts to the right of a "No dumping" sign. Shortly after (metal gate opposite), turn right. Follow a grassy path between the embankment of an old railway line on the left and a field on the right. Further on, join the current railway line and follow it on your left (there is no physical barrier but there is plenty of space). Go around an electrical substation on the right and join the D211.

(3) Turn left, cross the railway line at the level crossing and follow the road carefully (fast traffic). After about 100 metres, turn left onto a path between the fields. At the crossroads on a small "hill" (elevation 103), turn right onto a stony, shaded path and rejoin the platform of the old railway line you followed earlier.

(4) At the next crossroads, you have two options:
- if you want to continue on the old railway platform and are not afraid of paths surrounded by vegetation, go straight ahead and follow the alternative route described in the practical information.
- otherwise, as shown on the map, turn left onto a grassy path between the fields. Cross a stream and continue straight ahead, heading north. Cross the D99 with caution and continue on the path opposite.

Blue markings

(5) At the crossroads (opposite, metal post with multiple markers), turn right and stay on the edge of the woods on your left and the field on your right. Take a bridge over the old railway platform and continue between the fields.

(6) Cross a road (the D32), pass a chicane of small rocks and follow a path towards a wood. After passing through the edge of the wood, turn right onto the path and follow it alongside a field on your left.

(7) Come out onto a road and follow it to the left. At the sign for Argentières, turn left into Rue des Carrosses (a dead-end road) and descend gently. At the end of the tarmac, continue along a gravel path and descend. At the crossroads, go straight ahead, leave the woods and follow the fenced meadows on your left.

No signposts

(8) Come out onto a small road, follow it to the left and cross the Yerres. Go up the shady road. At the top of the hill (elevation 103), ignore a gravel lane on the right (No. 35) and immediately take a path between two hedges. Pass a metal gate on the right and continue along a shaded path. At the next intersection, turn left and enter a wood. At a fork, take the narrower path on the left.

Yellow markings (rare and faded)

(9) Come out onto a path and follow it to the left. Keep to the left, walking alongside a wall and then private property fences. At the first houses, continue along a gravel path. At the roundabout (wooden cross), go straight ahead along Rue du Pignon Vert. Descend gently, preferably staying on the right-hand side, which offers much better visibility further on.

No signposts

(10) Just before a bridge, leave the road and turn right onto a gravel path. Shortly after, turn left and climb up to the platform of the old railway line.

Red and white + green signposts (rare)

Then follow the wide, shaded path to the left.

(11) Cross the Yerres (on the right, beautiful view of Chaumes-en-Brie). Go through a gate, cross the D32 carefully, go through a metal barrier and take a stony path at the edge of the woods. Further on, follow a fence on your right.

Red, green and blue markings

(5) At the junction you took on the way there, turn right. Follow a fenced wood on your right, continue between the fields and then follow a wood on your left. At the junction at the corner of the wood (elevation 109), turn left. Go straight ahead, following the wood on your left.

No markings

(12) Return to the tarmac road and take the^second left, passing an EDF electricity substation on your left. Pass in front of the town hall (on your left) and, at the roundabout immediately ahead, continue straight ahead until you reach the church.

(13) Turn right at an acute angle and cross a small car park. Then turn left onto Mail du Souvenir. Cross a kiosk, or go around it on the left or right, and continue straight ahead.

Red and white + blue signs

At the end, turn left. Cross Rue Jean Jaurès on the left and then turn right onto Rue de la Gare.

(1) At the junction you took on the way there, continue straight ahead towards the silos in plain view. Ignore the turnings on either side and return to Verneuil-l'Étang station (S/E).

Train timetables: check the Transilien website.

For motorists: parking is available at the station car park.

The wood between points (11) and (5) is private property: do not stray from the path. Most of the route is shaded. Some sections may be muddy in wet weather: wear suitable footwear.

In Verneuil-l'Étang:
- Pizzeria opposite the station (S/E).
- Restaurant Rue de la Gare, about 100 metres from the station (S/E).
- Bar-tobacconist (closed on Sundays) at the intersection of Rue de la Gare and Rue Jules Guesde (1).
- Bakery on Rue Arthur Chaussy, at the intersection with Rue Jean Jaurès (after (13)).

A 1:25,000 map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

Alternative route:
At the point (4), if you wish to continue on the old railway platform, go straight ahead. Cross the D99 with caution and continue opposite on a wide gravel path. Shortly afterwards, continue on a narrow path surrounded by vegetation. As you approach a bridge, turn left and climb a steep slope. You will come to a path, follow it to the right, cross the bridge and rejoin the main route between (5) and (6).

Hike completed by the author on¹ September 2022.

- Extensive views over cultivated fields.
- La Grange Saint-Père, a beautiful farm between (5) and (12).
- Beautiful view of the Yerres and Chaumes-en-Brie (11).
- Church of Verneuil-l'Étang (13th-18th centuries) (13).