Crespières walks

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.

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.

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.

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

Starting from the village of Bazemont, rich in heritage, this is a forest loop for a good half of the route, with passages between fields and along the streams that drain them.

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

This route follows part ofthe GR®26 trailon the plateau above the Mauldre.

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 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.

A short, pleasant, rural half-day hike with some historical features.

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 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 short walk along the streams of the Plaine de Versailles, including the Ru de Gally, which rises in the castle grounds. The charming village of Rennemoulin boasts a chapel, a wash house and an old bridge, while the Fontaine de Maltoute is a pleasant place to stop and rest in the shade.

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.

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

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.

A walk that is half rural, half woodland, allowing you to visit 11 wash houses scattered throughout the region's pretty villages, of various styles and constructions, most of them decorated with flowers, some of which are quite complex in design and/or large in size, offering clear, refreshing running water (although not drinkable), which is much appreciated when temperatures soar above 30°C. Two viewpoints over Mantes-la-Jolie and its collegiate church, and the chimneys of the Porcheville power station, which are often in view.

It's a very varied walk, combining nature, culture, history, tourism and curiosities. All of which means you won't miss a mile. And if you're lucky enough to do it in good weather, you'll come home feeling like you've just been on holiday.

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.

A hike through a vast cultivated plain, with extensive views of the surrounding woods. In the distance, you can see the octagonal bell towers of the churches of Osmoy and Saint-Martin-des-Champs.

The upstream part of this series of three hikes devoted to the Bièvre river. A very pleasant walk along the river and its bodies of water, in a mostly rural setting. A hike from station to station, which can be used to adjust the length depending on the weather conditions or desires of the hikers.

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.

An easy and very pleasant circuit in the Rambouillet forest, passing by the Étangs de Hollande.

A station-to-station walk, which can also be done as a slightly shorter loop. The route is mainly woodland, using both signposted paths and little-travelled paths in the undergrowth. The Étang du Corra, a protected site, offers an interlude with beautiful views and the chance to spot many birds.

A water-themed hike: from the meanders of the Aubette to the springs that enliven the Vexin region.

A very beautiful hike to discover the wonderful rural and natural landscape of the north-west of the Chevreuse Valley, offering a radical change of scenery from the urban and commercial area of Coignières.

Discover the ponds and pools that dot this route in the Rambouillet Forest. The private pond at Château de l'Artoire, visible from the road; Étang du Moulin des Roches; the waterfalls and rocks at Vaux de Cernay; the private pond at Les Hogues, visible from the road; Étang de la Tour; Étang de Coupe-Gorge; the ponds at Vilpert; and the ponds at Hollande.

This route to the north of the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and near Conflans-Sainte-Honorine takes you to the Étang du Corra, a pond with rich biodiversity that is a popular spot for birdwatching. The Pavillon de la Muette is a neoclassical hunting lodge built at the request of Louis XV.

A circular starting from Maurecourt cemetery, passing through the Berthe Morisot trail, the Château du Fay, the Écancourt farm, the Bois de Jouy and returning to Maurecourt along the old railway line.

A short forest hike in two stages. After a lovely view of the former Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey, you climb up the Vallon du Rodhon on a path and trails that wind through the undergrowth. The hike then follows the wide paths of the Port-Royal Forest.

In the southern French Vexin region, this circuit takes you through fields and woods, playing leapfrog with the River Montcient. The Cave aux Fées, a covered passage dating from 2500 BC, bears witness to ancient human occupation. A dovecote, an old water mill and several wash houses are also worth seeing.

At the southern edge of the French Vexin, a loop that starts along the Montcient river, with the old Moulin Brûlé, and then alternates between ascents and descents in the woods or between fields.

The route follows the Avenue Verte (Paris-London cycle route) from Jouy-le-Moutier to Vauréal. After crossing the Oise at the major axis, it returns via the Cergy ponds and the towpath to the Pont de Neuville bridge.

A short hike to discover the Mérantaise valley, the Croix du Bois, the Mérantais wash house, the village of Magny-les-Hameaux, the Maison des Bonheurs (family of 19th-century painters), the Domaine de Brouëssy, and the stele of Hélène Boucher (early 20th-century aviator).

A short walk, where heritage sites (churches, wash houses, covered walkway) alternate with a path along the Oise river.

This walk takes you past numerous wash houses fed by springs located on the circular Oise in the municipalities of Jouy-le-Moutier, Vauréal and Cergy. Along the way, you will discover the Jouy-le-Moutier municipal park known as "Parc Raclet", the Rue des Blanchards and its curiosities, the old railway line that linked Pontoise to Poissy, the Axe Majeur, Gérard Philippe's house and the Cergy ponds leisure centre.

A walk that allows you to discover the banks of the Seine at the pace of the barges, first along the water's edge, then from a higher vantage point. You can also discover a rich heritage, such as the royal quarries, the Moorish house of painter and photographer Victor Madeleine (1855-1931) and the River Transport Museum.

Starting from the charming village of Brueil en Vexin, you will pass La Cave aux Fées, a Neolithic burial site dating from around 2000 BCE. Then, through a varied, hilly landscape, you will discover a few hamlets and a village with its wash house and old bridge.

On the edge of the Rambouillet National Forest, the Old Road from Nogent-le-Roy to Montfort-l'Amaury is marked by boundary stones dating from the Ancien Régime and decorated with fleurs-de-lis. This short hike, which requires a good sense of direction, starts in the heart of the forest in search of these boundary stones and ends in a rural setting.

Varied landscapes and paths: pine, oak and birch forests, fields and greenhouses, thatched cottages and streams, boundary stones bearing coats of arms and a billionaire's castle.

The Cergy-Neuville Leisure Centre is located in a loop of the Oise River. The hike crosses the centre, giving you an idea of the variety of activities on offer there. It continues along the slopes of the right bank of the river, offering beautiful views of the entire meander. The passage through Port-Cergy, as well as several heritage sites (churches, wash houses, covered walkways, etc.), adds to the interest of the walk.

Pond and dolmen: hike in the Rambouillet National Forest near Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines.